Delta Adds More Flatbeds

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

He is the author of "Online Travel" (2000) and "Business Travel: When It's Your Money" (2004), the first step-by-step guide specifically written for small business and self-employed professional travelers. He was also the co-author of the annual "Best Travel Deals" series from Consumers Union.

Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com, a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

See recent posts by Ed Perkins

Delta says it is adding its new lie-flat business class seats to all 747s, to match the product already available on the line’s 777s and most 767s. More and more, flat-bed seats are becoming the standard for international business class.

Most reviews I read from frequent business class travelers is that real lie-flat “beds” are far superior to the big-recline or lie-outstretched-at-an-angle seats that had been the previous norm.

Given that almost all eastbound transatlantic flights, all eastbound and many transpacific flights, and almost all flights to and from the South Pacific and South America are overnights, lie-flat seats should be a big advantage for the lines that offer it. Some major airlines—including American, Lufthansa, and Singapore—that haven’t yet fully installed lie-flat seats are likely to find some of their best customers deserting them for superior products elsewhere.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.