[edit] Next Generation Business Class (NGBC)

This page is intended to provide information (not available on AA.com) on the Next-Generation Business Class (NGBC) seat upgrade that AA is rolling out in the 2006-2009 timeframe.

IMPORTANT: If you are new to the subject, please review the AA.com NGBC page first.

[edit] Identifying Flights with NGBC

Your flight will have NGBC if it is on a

777 (Boeing 777-223ER)
763 (Boeing 767-323ER)
75L (Boeing 757-223 International Configuration)

Note that on domestic routes, the forward cabin on the 763 and 757 are sold as "first." For more information, see Planes and Seats.

While the 75L is deployed primarily on international long-hauls, some North American 757 routes are also scheduled to get this NGBC configuration; see Domestic 757 Flights with International Business Class Seats.

[edit] Destinations Served with 763 and 777 Aircraft

Check out the "Widebody Schedules" PDFs at aacargo.com

[edit] NGBC Seat Specifications

Angled lie-flat, 9 degrees slope, in seat-containing "shell"
Width: 763: 20 in/51 cm regular, 23.6 in/60 cm in sleep mode with outer armrest dropped down; 777/75L: 21 in/53 cm regular, 26 in/66 cm in sleep mode with outer armrest dropped down
Length: 77 in/195 cm
Pitch: 763: 59 in/150 cm; 777 60-61 in/152-155 cm; 75L 58-59 in/147-150 cm
Adjustments: 5 motors, 4 preset positions, 1 memory
Forward slide: 10 in/25 cm
Power port: 763/777 15v DC, car cigarette lighter socket, 75W (probable), on the 763 also used to power portable entertainment unit; 757L 110v 50Hz(?) US/UK/continental Europe AC sockets
Entertainment (763): none built-in; flights to/from and outside of North America are provisioned with portable 10.6" (1.78:1 screen ratio) unit (PEA by IMS Inflight), built on Panasonic hardware and Windows XP OS, with noise-cancelling headsets (Bose QuietComfort 3)
Entertainment (777, 75L): 10.6" screen built into seatback with AVOD selection of several movies, TV shows, 50 audio CDs, 15 games and airshow map (777 system by Rockwell Collins, 75L is the X Series system by Panasonic Avionics Corporation). Flights to/from and outside of North America are provisioned with noise-canceling headsets (Bose QuietComfort 3)
Manufacturer: Recaro Aircraft Seating
Model: apparently a customized next-generation version of the CL 6510
Cushions: unknown.

[edit] 757 info

On 18 of its existing 752 (Boeing 757-223) aircraft (designated 75L; 14.5% of the 757 fleet), AA is installing 16 of the new seats. The plane also features articulated Weber seats in coach, standard AC outlets, LCD monitors, and will not have the small galley at door 2R. These planes will be primarily used for some new trans-Atlantic routes. For more information, see Planes and Seats.

[edit] Helpful Hints for Using the NGBC Seats

[edit] DOs

Push the sleep position button again after the seat has stopped moving to cycle through two different preset positions.
Memorize your most comfortable position by pressing the MEMORY button once - that makes it easy to recover that position when you change seat position to exit or allow a fellow passenger to exit/enter (just hold the MEMORY button down).
Find the magazines in the second (bottom) shelf, below the one marked something like "No Magazines." Many seem to overlook the presence of a second shelf in the 763; there is a "glove box" in the 777.
Brace yourself using the seat shell in front of you to climb over a sleeping passenger who is blocking your access to the aisle from your window or middle seat.
Try putting a folded duvet or pillow under your feet to have a flatter seat.
Use the centrally located vertically oriented "glove box"-like divided space (between seats) to hold water bottles and other items (these are narrower in the 763 than in the 777).
Hang the amenity kit shoe bag (where provided) from the coat hook and put your shoes or other items in it.
Retract the outboard seatside divider for a bit more room - this is best in a window seat.
On the 777, the inner elbow rest (just above where the IFE remote control is stored) also flips up, giving much greater shoulder room when sleeping.
Remember the seat also moves forward for easier use of the split meal table.

[edit] DON'Ts

Put ANYTHING (including shoes) in the footwell space if you're reclining fully in the sleeping position: they may be damaged, or the seat won't fully extend.
Operate the seat without the seatbelt on: a seatbelt can get caught in the seat and can be difficult to retrieve.
Operate the seat with objects and wires on it: they can get snagged in the seat and can be difficult to extract.
Take the pillow and blanket and put it behind the seat in the space there; the pillow can slide under the seat where it can't be retrieved.

[edit] Carry-on Storage in NGBC Seat Footwells

The problem with putting your carry-on in front of you is that it will have to be removed if you recline your seat. The space where your footrest goes cannot fit both the footrest and your carry-on (or much of anything when the seat is fully extended). Some use their shoe bag / amenity kit for storage of small personal objects and hang it from the coat hanger in front of the seat.

N.B.: Although the seats in the bulkhead row are identical to the others (no more bulkhead penalty) and have space that can be used to store carry-ons for both take-off and landing, it turns out that the footwell is not FAA certified (STCd) for such a function (as of Apr08).