American Airlines picks Cathay's business class for new planes

Qantas' oneworld partner American Airlines has released details of its much-awaited new business class seating, and it's the same fully flat business class bed as seen on Cathay Pacific.

The seats are arranged in a four-across reverse herringbone layout, with window seats facing away from the aisle towards the windows, and centre seats facing together away from the aisle.

These are also the seats used by American's competitor US Airways in its Envoy Class international business/first offering.

(Need a refresher on what those layouts mean and how they work? We've got you covered with our guide to business class seats and cabin layouts.)

The new seats will be installed first on AA's new Boeing 777-300ER planes, but the airline has yet to announce whether its older aircraft will be refitted with the new seats.

American has also ordered new first class seats for the very front of the plane, and the airline is promising a "dramatic archway" when you board — plus "unique mood lighting" (which seems similar to the mood lighting you'll see in many other airlines' cabins, so we're not entirely sure how it's "unique").

Wifi internet will also be available on board.

Australians travelling via the US will see the new business class first on flights to Latin America. The Dallas/Fort Worth to Sao Paulo route will be the first with the new aircraft and seats.

John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.