On some older three class planes (767-300 and 747-400) that have not been upgraded to the hybrid Business First, United has rear facing business class seats, but theyarein pairs facing thesame direction, not alternated, so you always face thesame way as the person seated next to you.
Despite this striking change, when theyare asked to place themselves in a class, Brits in 2006 huddle in much thesame categories as they did when they were asked in 1949.