Which airline became the first to offer a fully flat-bed business-class seat in 1999?

British Airways became the first airline to offer a fully flat-bed business-class seat in 1999.

The airline introduced the Club World seat on selected long-haul aircraft, allowing passengers to convert the seat into a completely horizontal bed. This was a major change from the deeply reclining but angled seats previously common in business class.

The design used a forward-facing and rear-facing arrangement in alternating rows. Although the layout was unusual, it allowed British Airways to provide direct aisle access for many passengers and create a distinctive premium cabin.

Later airlines introduced their own lie-flat products, often adding privacy doors and more elaborate suites. Fully flat seats are now a standard feature on many long-haul premium cabins, but British Airways pioneered their widespread business-class use.