Even More First Class

United's new first-class seat lies flat and includes a15-inch screen … and it can be yours for $16,000Business travel has reached a new level—a new comfort level, that is. United Airline's new first-class seats, which were unveiled last year but are now being used on international Boeing 767 flights, have a number of amenities that economy seats just can't compare to. "This is important because it's a huge customer benefit," says United Airlines spokesman Jeff Kovick, who is referring to seats that lie flat, have iPod adapters and 15.4-inch video screens that will play iPod videos or 150 hours of on-board programming. The first-class seats, Kovick says, can be especially beneficial to business customers, who can truly use the flight experience to unwind for a few hours. "I think the idea is that it enables our customers to relax, to sleep and to be entertained throughout their travel experience. Business [travelers] are expected to hit the ground running and go to meetings."Such amenities, of course, come at a price, which has apparently reached a new level as well. To get an idea of how much more you'll pay for the upgraded 767 seats, check out United.com—but get ready for some sticker shock. For instance, a sample round-trip flight from London's Heathrow Airport to Chicago O'Hare offered a rate of $783 for economy, and just over $16,000—yes, $16,000—for the top-of-the-line, first-class seats. To learn more about the new 767 seats, visit www.united.com.