The Boeing 777 business class seat that's a sky-high office suite
By David Flynn, June 16 2015
This radical new business class suite will make it even easier for high flyers to get down to work – and then, bed down to sleep.
Dubbed the 'Breakout' and due to be launched next year, it's a concept created by aircraft seat designers B/E Aerospace for the Boeing 777 family – although of course it's suitable for other long-range twin-aisle jets such as the Airbus A350 and A380 superjumbo.
Forget those meal tables with barely enough room for your laptop: the Breakout gives every passenger their own 'corner office', while those at the window will enjoy a view that few office buildings can match.
The suite's wall includes AC and USB sockets above a large workspace, with a built-in seat which swings around from under the desk.
But the Breakout business class suite isn't just for workaholics.
"We set out to remove the compromise of using a seat for every travel function" explains Glenn Johnson, Director of B/E Aerospace’s Advanced Design Group, citing the design's individual working, dining and sleeping modes across all stages of a typical international flight.
"We created a true working and dining position in addition to creating a proper sleeping area."
For take-off and landing, the seat is into a comfortable angled lounge position.
At other times during the flight, the wide seat flips up and out of the away...
... so that a fully flat bed can fold out from the suite's side wall.
(NB: we assume that travellers will have to bring their own teddy bear.)
Other creature comforts include ample stowage to keep your carry-on bag close at hand...
... with an ottoman which can be used as a footrest...
... or to let a companion join you for a chat, a drink or even a meal.
More on new business class designs from AusBT
- Next-gen 'DoveTail' business class seat breaks cover
- Photos: British Airways Airbus A350 Club World business class prototype
- The business class seat that's really a suite
- Cathay Pacific to launch new business class in February 2016
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 340
Looks more like a first class product... Could be this "Business PLUS" that Qatar keep going on about
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 732
Looking at it, it's clearly designed to fit four-abreast in a 777. Then, it's as long or slightly longer than a horizontal human.
So yeah, it's exactly the right size for a first class seat, but airlines want a higher density (via more abreast or staggering or herringboning) in their business class cabins.
14 Apr 2014
Total posts 46
How much space does this seat take up! Unless airlines are able to configure it in a configuration that doesn't take up first class space, this won't be happening (Except for Qatar, which this may be the final seat. The have the B/E Diamond seat right now, and upgrading to the B/E Breakout sounds logical)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Feb 2015
Total posts 34
They will probaly have one 1 aisle for this part of the plane!!
Qantas
22 Oct 2012
Total posts 319
It certainly looks impressive, but I would regard these as merely concept drawings at this stage. But they're certainly worth checking out when they're in production. Issues will be actual comfort levels and dimensions.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 233
I don't have hopes for this idea.
I find sitting in the same adjustable seat with a large tray table is just fine.
What really gets my goat is when I can't easily push the table aside to be able to get out. Nothing is more annoying that having to 'pack everything up' just to go to the toilet. I wish some bright spark would find a solution to that problem.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 340
Agreed
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
22 Apr 2013
Total posts 143
Yassssss! Biggest pet peeve and a problem which stems across all seating classes, inc. F.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1560
Stunning! And who need First after that? Only private suite will be above.
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
01 Feb 2015
Total posts 111
This is actually really cool!!!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Apr 2015
Total posts 54
The concept is not all that dissimilar to First Class on the Lufthansa 747s
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
This + a sliding door is a first class private suite product. Without a sliding door it still looks like a first class product. I've flown in Emirates first class and this product is better.
Calling this seat "business class" is a grave disservice. It is clearly a first class product.
The only thing I can think of that is clearly better than this is an Etihad A380 Apartment (or Residence).
The only problems I can see so far... 1. This concept design looks somewhat unrefined, and the corner seat doesn't look particularly "well-integrated" (i.e. it doesn't sit flush with the rest of the wall.. but perhaps this can be fixed with some more design?). 2. This seat would either necessitate some extra crew operation and/or the use of turndown service (a la Singapore Airlines seats), and some people find that frustrating. But at least the seat can recline very generously. 3. If this were motorized then it would probably weigh a very substantial amount.
That said, I seriously doubt this will gain traction in the business class market. It reminds me a lot of American Airlines' first class 777 suites actually. This product is far more of a first class thing.
I know they set out to provide individual sleeping, lounging and office modes but honestly I am not sure how much of a "compromise" is involved in packaging all these functions into the same seat. I wonder if they could somehow lower weight by having the lounging seat turn into a bed? This would also allow them to widen the bed and lower the weight.
I wonder if this could fit 4-abreast on an A380...
Air New Zealand - NZ*E
17 May 2015
Total posts 93
Airlines will only buy what they think they can sell profitability - Boeing and its competitors know to keep ahead in this game they have to provide innovation to their customers and airlines to theirs. All the points made here are valid and I hope both the airlines and manufactures read this type of feedback becuse we all keep these guys in business. Keep up the good work Boeing but do your homework!!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Feb 2015
Total posts 34
It will be so expensive and the seat is so wide thats they may only have 1 aisle on a 777 for this part of the plane!
08 Oct 2011
Total posts 49
Yes, definitely a neo-first class product. Question is how much more passengers have to pay, bearing in mind that many business organizations are cutting down on expenses. And it will almost always be at the expense (in terms of space) of economy class passengers. I would imagine all B777 fitted with these type business class seats will have 10-abreast economy class seating.
10 Sep 2012
Total posts 149
In case you haven't noticed, the pax in the big seats are the ones who are considered important. The pax in steerage, not so much. People in economy want to fly economically. It's not reasonable to expect lavish comfort at a discount price.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
06 Feb 2014
Total posts 69
Wow, the American Airlines are really trying hard! That's competition for you. Instead of whining about the Gulf carriers , ths is how they should respond and counter them. Also if they can train they cabin Crew to lift the service to the same level, they can beat the Gulf carriers.
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