Qatar’s new QSuite permits creation of private double-bedded accommodations. (Image: Qatar Airways)
A new business class design introduced this week by Qatar Airways uses movable privacy panels to create double beds or even four-person suites- and it will hit the skies this summer.
The new 42-seat “QSuite” cabin will first appear on a Qatar 777 between Doha and London Heathrow in June. It will also be going into all the carrier’s other 777s, and will be installed on Qatar’s new Airbus A350-1000s. Currently, round trip business class fares on London-Doha route in July are running about $5,274.00. Qatar is a member of the Oneworld Alliance.
If you ever wonder why international first class cabins are gradually disappearing from the skies, you only need to see the innovations in luxury and amenities that are coming to international business class these days. In many cases, layering first class on top of them would truly be gilding the lily.
Case in point: The new QSuite business cabin introduced at a Berlin trade show this week by Qatar Airways.
The keys to the creative configurations possible in QSuite are stowable privacy panels and movable video monitors. Two persons seated next to each other can deploy the privacy panels to create a private room with a double bed.
Four persons traveling together can share a private suite. (Image: Qatar Airways)
And four seats in the center of the cabin can be walled off together to create a four-person suite for business meetings, socializing and/or dining together.
“These new features provide the ultimate customizable travel experience that enables passengers to create an environment that suits their own unique needs,” Qatar said.
The new business seats themselves are crafted from hand-stitched Italian leather. The cabin also features the next generation of Oryx One, Qatar’s in-fight entertainment system, redesigned to permit easy surfing of content that includes 3,000 programming options. Here’s a video:
The QSuite food and beverage service has also been upgraded; in addition to new cuisine options served at the time of the passenger’s choice, the airline will also provide “sharing dishes” any time during the flight, so passenger can partake together. Qatar also is offering an express breakfast service for those who want to sleep late.
Private window suite for one. (Image: Qatar Airways)
Also coming are new business class “sleeper suits” and amenity kits from top international designers. And the airline announced that it will be deploying “best-in-class” Wi-Fi connectivity sometime this summer.
Doubles for couples or colleagues. (Image: Qatar Airways)
So what do you think? Would you fly Qatar to experience business class like this? Or would you stick to something more tried and true? Please leave your comments below.
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dmo580 says
March 15, 2017 at 4:22 pmA suite of 4 starts getting chaotic. Hopefully it won’t get too loud as now you can’t just whisper into your partner next to you and you’ll need to speak up to communicate with the next suite.
I’m guessing 4 festival-bound bros flying Qatar in business is still going to be a rarity so it won’t really be a problem
Christian says
March 12, 2017 at 12:19 pmThis has certainly garnered a lot of hype, but funny how not -one- single blog post actually lists the seat pitch, width, and actual comfort.
JD says
March 10, 2017 at 7:19 amperhaps this is an area where a US Airline could make an inroad. A truly “economy plus” cabin that features ly-flat seats with none of the privacy walls, gourmet food, etc.
Scuba Bubbles says
March 8, 2017 at 8:07 pmLooking at the pictures, am surprised that Qatar is so LGBT-friendly.
Salvatore Johnson says
March 8, 2017 at 5:44 pmI couldn’t think of any better way of joining the “mile high club”
Nick Aster says
March 8, 2017 at 5:34 pmThis stuff is getting ridiculous. The rich get richer… What I would like, and might even consider paying for is simply a way to lie down. I don’t care about privacy, gourmet food, massive “suites” or anything like that. I’d be happy with floorspace if I could just be totally flat with a pillow!
jeff says
March 8, 2017 at 5:10 pmMy wife would definitely love this. She often feels we are separated too much in a customary Deltaone seat or an FC.
Bullet Bob says
March 8, 2017 at 4:53 pmSeveral years ago Richard Branson mused about putting double beds on Virgin Atlantic’s flights to Las Vegas, so that passengers “would have two chances to get lucky”.
Kirk says
March 8, 2017 at 3:57 pmSweet! Although as for the “private rooms”, with 4-foot high walls they are semi-private at best. If you’re intending to join the mile-high club, I hope you enjoy having an audience!
I can’t see why anyone would want to stick with something more “tried and true”.