US Airways’ Envoy Suites on trans-Atlantic flights

US Airways is offering its business-class passengers more comfort and luxury on trans-Atlantic flights with the Envoy Suite.

The Envoy Suite on US Airways’ fleet of wide-body Airbus planes will have fully lie-flat seats and the latest, on-demand in-flight entertainment system.

Photo: US Airways' Envoy Suite

In a press release, US Airways, based in Tempe, Arizona, the United States, said the airline is “excited about bringing an industry-leading concept” to its customers.

To start with, the Envoy Suite will be installed on one of the Airbus A330-200 planes of US Airways in December 2009. The rest 15 aircraft of the Airbus A330-200 fleet will have the luxury suite by the summer of 2011. Each Airbus A330-200 jet will have 20 Envoy Suites.

As for the 9 Airbus A330-300 aircraft, the installation of the Envoy Suites are currently being done, US Airways said, adding that the job is expected to be completed by the summer of 2012.

Andrew Nocella, the airline’s senior-vice president (marketing and planning, said in the press release that the “innovative cabin layout and thoughtful design” of the Envoy Suite offers greater comfort as well as functionality for the international passengers.

Photo: Envoy Suite from US Airways, on transatlantic flights

The facilities available in the Envoy Suite, according to US Airways, are:

• A fully adjustable seat with lie-flat bed.
• Direct aisle access from each Envoy Suite, with all seats facing forward.
• Large personal space and stowage.
• An easy-to-reach technology panel, including a 110-volt universal power outlet, satellite telephone and USB port.

A state-of-the-art personal entertainment system with a 12.1-inch, adjustable touch-screen.

US Airways said that it is the first airline in the world to have introduced 4 abreast seating in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone design in a business-class cabin. The redesigned cabin layout lets a passenger in the Envoy Suite face forward and away from the aisle in a fully lie-flat, 180-degree recline seat, with direct aisle access.

The carrier claims that each Envoy Suite offers a lot of space to work or relax. With about 3.5 feet across, a passenger can enjoy the benefit of ample personal space by using either the raised side-table or the easy-access tray-table.
Bigger personal belongings, like laptop cases, can be stowed underneath the ottoman.
Yet another feature of the Envoy Suite, according to US Airways, is a technology panel, complete with an adjustable reading light, power outlet for laptop, USB port for charging small electronic gadgets, and a dual satellite telephone/entertainment controller.

Further information on US Airways’  Envoy Suite and an interactive tour is available on the website www.usairways.com/envoysuite