Air France's two-metre long business class bed

Air France is about to begin rollout of its new just-over-two-metre-long bed next month as the French flag carrier refreshes its long-haul Airbus A380, Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 business class cabins.

Other enhancements at the pointy end include a familiar shell structure around the seat for enhanced privacy, a 15 inch video screen and a lighter cabin colour scheme.

Your favourite reclining position can be programmed into the seat's memory for quick adjustment at a press of the 'recall' button, although we're unsure that many travellers will make the time to find and set their most comfortable position.

Extra storage areas for personal knick-knacks includes a laptop-sized pouch on the back of the seat in front; a shoe cubby; two smaller nooks around the seat for books, iPods and reading glasses; plus storage bins along the windows.

But while Air France claims the new seat will be the 'longest bed on the market', it's gently angled rather than being a true lie-flat bed – sad news to those who find a sloped bed is actually less relaxing and sleep-inducing.

If you want a fully flat bed in business class your best bet remains with Qantas' A380 for its two metre lie-flat Marc Newson seat, or Virgin Atlantic's similarly-sized Upper Class suite.

David Flynn

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.