Snag with luxury suites delays Qatar Airways' Airbus 350-1000 debut
By Bloomberg News, January 23 2018
Qatar Airways has delayed taking Airbus' new A350-1000 jet – for which it is the much-vaunted global launch customer – because of problems with the airline's unique Qsuite business class seats.
“The installation of the Qsuite is taking longer than what we expected,” said Airline CEO Akbar Al Baker, absolving the manufacturer of the seats of blame for the delay. Al Baker said that the complex design of the suites had implications for the certification of the aircraft.
The first plane now belongs to the airline but remains at Airbus' base in Toulouse for fitting out.
Qatar Airways had been slated to fly the first A350-1000 airliner in December, a date later pushed back to January, but will now take delivery of the jetliner in February once issues with the seat installation have been resolved, Al Baker said Monday.
Airbus itself met the contract deadline, according to the CEO, who has previously blamed the planemaker and its suppliers for delays affecting the original A350 and A320neo aircraft.
The Qsuite seats, developed by Qatar Airways and B/E Aerospace, are installed so that sets of four face each other to form a mini meeting area once barriers are dropped.
Each berth can also dock with the one next to it to create what the carrier says is the industry’s first double bed in a business-class cabin.
Qatar Airways has ownership of key elements of the design, which took two years to develop and has already been installed on some of its Boeing 777 jets.
Read more: Qatar's Qsuite is a private 'business class bedroom'
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Aug 2012
Total posts 213
As a normally solo traveller I am not keen to be near 4 bizoids having a business meeting, or a noisy family of 4. This is why I think tis new arrangement will be deeply unpopular with many.
19 Jan 2018
Total posts 30
Should have put a cheaper Qsuite in premium economy for families and mid tier managers to use. Real Business class & First Class pax want to eat, sleep and do some work QUIETLY!. Only upgraders, families with spoilt brats and party animals will use them...enter Etihad!!
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 3
If a family with children has the means to travel in business class, they are absolutely allowed to do so. That does not make the children spoilt brats. You’re comment is quite offensive to those who travel with children.
12 Aug 2017
Total posts 75
Your reply does actually have merit behind the grumble. Why not have the 'quad' seats only in one part of the cabin and have one part of the cabin just for solos and couples?
British Airways - Executive Club
25 Mar 2017
Total posts 3
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
11 Mar 2015
Total posts 190
what a stupid idea the 4 open suit! so instead of a decent rest we have to put up noisy drunken hoons who think that this is a shouting fest among pals???
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Aug 2017
Total posts 1
Keen to know what routes the new A350-1000 will be flying and how many slated for fit out in 2018
03 May 2013
Total posts 682
Agree more room for families with children who are not quiet. Great...love that feeling after boarding only to see a family of young kids taking up seats along side you and wishing you'd taken the previous or following days flight
17 Mar 2017
Total posts 14
The best thing about this setup is the flexibility to suit all customers to the class.. whether they be singles, couples, families, friends, colleagues.. this is fantastic. To everyone who is so precious that they feel that other people talking will ruin their lives, can I suggest ear plugs!.. This also assumes that all flights are taken at night.. why should your sleep be more important than someone elses business meeting or conversation during the day. If you are that filled with your own self importance then you really should be paying even more and flying first class where no one dare disturb you
04 Dec 2017
Total posts 69
Roudy kids don't belong in premium cabins. If you know your kids are very well behaved, nobody has a problem I don't think. It's rowdy kids and parents who cant/won't control their children that is painful. Esp when you've spent a premium on your ticket just for that..space, peace and quiet.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Aug 2013
Total posts 7
Anyone know the Qsuite rollout schedule?
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