Qatar Airways' new Super Business Class: here's what we know
By David Flynn, February 13 2017
Qatar Airways has officially confirmed the debut of its new 'super business class' seat on March 8th 2017, the opening day of the annual ITB Berlin travel trade show.
Alongside Singapore Airlines' new Airbus A380 business class seats, due to be revealed mid-year (next to SQ's new A380 first class suites), Qatar Airways' next-gen seat will be the most highly-anticipated business class launch of 2017.
Here's what we know so far...
Suite-like doors create "a business class bedroom"
The Oneworld member's new business class seat will have suite-like doors for greater privacy.
This is touted as the next wave for the upper edge of the business class market, with US carrier Delta Air Lines already showcasing a similar approach for its forthcoming Delta One Airbus 350 business class (below).
“I really feel that private suites become a bit claustrophobic, so when we are designing our new business class product we are making sure it is not claustrophobic” Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker told Australian Business Traveller last year.
“So we have decided to go for semi-privacy, in the cabin concept people slide the two doors and it becomes a cabin."
"It is already semi-closed and then it becomes fully closed, because people want additional privacy when they are sleeping.”
Qatar-only design
As you'd expect for this deep-pocketed and high-striving airline, the design of the 'super business class' seat will be exclusive to Qatar Airways.
The result will be both "proprietary and patented” Al Baker has confirmed to Australian Business Traveller.
“The seat designer will not be able to (offer) this product to anybody else, and if any airline mimics this design we have patent protection.”
First on the Airbus A350, Boeing 777-300ER
Expect to see the airline's new flagship business class seat debut on both the Airbus A350 – including the A350-1000, for which Qatar Airways is the global launch customer – and the Boeing 777-300ER.
While the A350 already sports a 1-2-1 seat layout in business class, the Boeing 777-300ER is fitted with a more dated 2-2-2 business class (below).
Moving to the 1-2-1 configuration of the 'super business class' design will prove far more private and convenient for travellers, so a rapid rollout onto Qatar Airways' Boeing 777-300ER jets is on the cards.
The long-range Boeing 777-200LR is also on that list, and eventually the Airbus A380, with Al Baker previously flagging a fleet-wide upgrade "where we will retrofit every aircraft in the fleet” at a rate of “three aircraft a month."
Business class is the new first class
In common with many other airlines, Qatar Airways sees that pushing the upper boundaries of business class will diminish the appeal of first class, with that luxe cabin to be restricted to its Airbus A380 superjumbos.
“Our premium travel is business travel, mostly, so we will keep a very limited number of first class seats only in the A380, and all the other airplanes will only have a business class product" Al Baker forecasts.
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.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Jun 2016
Total posts 8
It will be interesting to see that First class is actually below the quality of business class on the A380, seat-wise.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1564
I have two questions If they pushing envelop that far for business class.
1. Who ever need 1-st class unless it some kind of "Residence" with personal waitress and personal chef and
2. With such ENORMOUS gap between economy and business (this canyon became deeper and deeper each year) does anybody think to put premium economy in more appropriate level like angled high-density seats or similar.
Right now in my humble opinion PE does not make any sense - incredibly overpriced offer when they try to make you feel "exclusive" by tossing few unwanted perks (and not even lounge access!) and seats just marginally better than economy.
British Airways - Executive Club
07 Sep 2012
Total posts 47
Waitress???? Surely you jest!
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1564
Of course it was with tongue in cheek. Real question was who ever need first if such business exist?
27 Jan 2016
Total posts 52
I agree Serg. From a publicity perspective "The Residence" is the best of the best. One wonders what the load factors are though. As for PE, it will be interesting to see how this cabin progresses in the next few years. It is becoming more a more prevelant to have Economy Space zone which is essentially increasing the pitch of an economy seat, which further blurs the lines. Surely PE cabins will be next. I guess we will see what the revolutionary PE on QF's 787 is soon!
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
I can't fault QR's current Business Class over all product, even on the old 777. So this change will be even more exciting, as long as pricing remains sensible.
27 May 2015
Total posts 23
Very much looking forward to the reveal of this and the new Singapore Airlines business class.
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 5
I've got a booking for September between AMS and HND (one leg in A350, the other on 777-300ER) I hope they manage to refresh the product by then
Air Canada - Aeroplan
13 Feb 2017
Total posts 4
tazza0712
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2563
Enough with the premium economy discussions, please: this article is about Qatar's new business class. Discussions on the current and future positioning of premium economy can be continued in our Community discussion area.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Feb 2016
Total posts 49
I think the new QR J product is nice enough but I am interested to see what QR are planning next. However there is just one part I don’t understand and that is around Patent. I get the protection of IP and putting a restraint clause on the designer/ manufacturer from on selling the exact same seat to another carrier but what would QR Patent when they mention mimic the design. I am not a patent lawyer nor fully understand them, what I understand them to be is the protection of a new idea either a working prototype or a design that in theory can be proven to be workable. What would QR patent, I am no design expert but I would think there is only so many ways a J product could be designed. In its simplest form the project consists of a flat bed, IFE, work area and tray table, storage and possibly a door to enclose the seating area. This type of product is either in use or about to be in use with other carriers.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Feb 2017
Total posts 4
Had previously read passenger reviews that had discouraged me to fly Qatar business class- not being up to Emirates and Qantas standards - would love to hear from anyone who has done a long haul flight with them recently out of Sydney
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Feb 2016
Total posts 49
I flew QR F (a380) SYD-DOH then QR J DOH-BOS (a350) last year and found them to be excellent. I always take reviews with a grain of salt as you normally get both ends of the spectrum from those you loved it and hated it and not a great deal in between. With QR it can depend on the crew, however I personally prefer QR J to EK J, there will be others who disagree.
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