2 highly innovative elements of Qatar’s new ‘super business class’ seat

The QSuite is here. You may think that the perfect business class seat has just been unveiled, based on all the hype and fanfare the past couple days.

Revealed at the ITB Exhibition in Berlin, the seat was heavily hyped by Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker. Mr. Al Baker stated, “our unique and patented design is a world first in many ways and challenges industry norms by offering passengers more privacy, more choice and more personalisation.”

The new seat very much looks and feels like something you would find in first-class on many other airlines. From the spacious, innovative design, to the wide array of menu options that are planned as part of the soft product, Qatar’s new business-class may rise to the top of the list.

Here is the recorded live-stream of the reveal (skip forward to 22:00 minutes in) in all its smoky, musical, ballet-with-luggage glory.

Some of the best reviews and info on the product and its reveal:

• TPG’s very positive take and personal test of the new QSuite product
• OMAAT’s less impressed take on the product and his disappointment with the reveal
• Qatar’s own press release

Here the tour of the Qatar Airways new QSuite from the airline itself:

What’s so revolutionary about the QSuite?

The QSuite is definitely innovative. Here are the 2 most impressive features of the innovative design:

1. The 4-person “private room” – This is hands-down the coolest feature of the QSuite. The suites are designed with 2 forward-facing and 2 rear-facing seats with central partitions that can be removed to form a four person private room. The QSuite will stand out with its ability to provide a true communal, yet private, space 35,000 feet in the air. These spaces will allows easy conversation and face-to-face dining. Or maybe instead a business meeting in the clouds. Group dining options will be offered. The goal of the QSuite is to be “the new standard in business class” and “the future of premium travel”.
2. A (pseudo) double-bed – The QSuite will also feature the first double bed in a business-class product. The only thing making me caveat that with “pseudo” is the fact that your feet are still separated in the foot-wells. So…it’s not quite a definitive double bed, but pretty dang close. The current go-to for many people seeking a double bed is Singapore’s very hyped A380 suites class, a first class product.

Beyond that, the services offered in Qatar’s new business class will be refreshed with additional entertainment and dining options. Not that their current business product really needed refreshing. The 20-year old airline is already known for a solid business-class product on its fleet of modern aircraft. Some of the top-notch services offered include a wide variety of menu options and dine-on-demand service.

Conclusion

The hype may be a bit over the top, but the QSuite certainly promises to be a fantastic product. Look for the new QSuites to be “aggressively” rolled out on Qatar’s Boeing 777s and Airbus A350s. Interestingly enough, the product actually needs to be redesigned slightly to fit on the Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 aircraft (H/T: The Points Guy).

The first QSuite in the sky will debut in June on a brand new Boeing 777-300ER for service between Doha and London. The gulf carrier plans to retrofit its other aircraft at a rate of one per month.

Ultimately, Qatar plans to be the “best in the world” among airlines. This new product is certainly a step in the right direction.

Featured image courtesy of Qatar Airways press release.

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