Mystery airline orders US$450m of 'super first class suites'
By David Flynn, September 30 2016
What's better than first class? Super first class, of course.
As to just how much better, we'll find out in late 2017 when an as-yet-unnamed airline rolls out "proprietary high-end super first class suites" on its factory-fresh Boeing 777 jets.
The suites are being designed by B/E Aerospace as part of a contract worth US$450 million (A$593m), but the firm is keeping mum on the identity of its big-spending customer, which it describes only as "a major international airline" and "one of the world’s leading global airlines."
The supersuites – which we're told "will be designed with luxurious amenities, extraordinary comfort and living space while also providing enhanced privacy for the passenger" – will debut on that airline's new Boeing 777s, of which "initial deliveries are expected to begin in late 2017."
There's also "an option to outfit additional wide-body aircraft" which could encompass the Boeing 787, Airbus A380 or A350 jets.
B/E Aerospace's current flagship first class suite is the Oasis family...
... which has been adopted for the first class cabins of the Swiss Boeing 777...
... as well as TAM's short-lived Boeing 777 'living room in the sky' first class...
... and THAI's Boeing 747 first class upgrade.
B/E Aerospace this year launched its Oasis Evo suite, which includes a 32-inch video screen and guest dining.
But this mystery airline's supersuite will be something else again, with a spokesperson for B/E Aerospace confirming to Australian Business Traveller that "the announcement that we made is for a completely new product," and one for which the company is understandably "not disclosing any details."
Also read:
- Emirates to launch new luxury first class A380 suites in 2017
- Concept designs for new Singapore Airlines first, business class
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.
12 Apr 2011
Total posts 71
Is it possible to look at which airlines have announced 777 purchases to be delivered in 2017 and speculate which of these would be potential customers?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
That could be done, but as a general rule we tend to avoid speculation and play a straight 'news' bat. Happy for readers to share their own guesses here, though...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 357
I don't think it is that hard to guess which airline. There are only a handful of airlines that has first class, and even fewer that has first class in 777, and may be a couple that we know of are still investing in first class. All others are focusing on business class and premium economy.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Mar 2012
Total posts 116
Surely it's Emirates?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2011
Total posts 88
Emirates is my guess too
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
30 Sep 2016
Total posts 1
Not Emirates. It's Qatar.
https://dohanews.co/qatar-airways-adds-to-boeing-777x-order-with-4-8-billion-purchase/
12 Apr 2011
Total posts 71
The 777x won't be delivered until 2020. Is Emirates getting 777-300s in 2017?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Jun 2014
Total posts 210
This article only says that QR is spending a further $4.8 billion on 777x orders (which plenty of other airlines have already ordered including EK). Nothing to do with spending $450 million on first class.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Jun 2014
Total posts 210
autvlr, As of December 7th 2015 EK had 42 777-300ER's to be delivered.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Jun 2014
Total posts 210
Along with 71 Airbus A380s, 115 Boeing 777-9Xs and 35 Boeing 777-8Xs.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Aug 2014
Total posts 503
Only the ME3 have free money to spend on super first class so I'm guessing it's one of them although since Etihad has already announced their new seats and they're great, I think it's either QR or EK but EK will be my first guess, they just fit the description of one of the leading airlines and given the amount of bling in their cabins still haven't managed to rival EY so they're probably cooking something behind doors.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 357
I don't think it will be QR. They have already stated that their F will be limited to A380 and 777 will be fitted with a super business class. EY has already got their Apartment and is already the leader in that regard so I don't think their is any more need for it to introduce "super first class". So......
British Airways - Executive Club
28 Mar 2014
Total posts 70
On pure elimination - EK it is!
08 Apr 2011
Total posts 24
And thank goodness... First with the current Emirates Boeing 777 seat plan is definitely below par, with very much last generation First seats, looking more like Business.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Sep 2012
Total posts 236
The only airline I know that would use a term like 'super first class' is Emirates (or Qatar) and we know it's not Qatar. Plus EK have been talking about their new super doopa new First Class for years now.
Air Berlin - topbonus
30 Apr 2015
Total posts 12
The article mentions that the new Super First Class might also be fitted into A350s ... EK does not own any.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1425
EK has A350s on a short list for the next type together with a 787-10.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Jun 2014
Total posts 210
Not anymore EK cancelled their 90 a350 orders a few years ago.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1425
ILIKE see the June 2016 statement by Tim Clarke on their evaluation of the 78-10 or the A359 for an announcement later this year
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Sep 2012
Total posts 234
My bet's on United Airlines, seeing as their first batch of B777s are coming out in 2017.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Sep 2012
Total posts 234
*sorry B777-300ERs
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 440
United are already phasing out intl first class - they will not be installing it on any new aircraft
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Feb 2013
Total posts 5
Its not an current airline it is actual a cruise liner
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Dec 2015
Total posts 6
From what I have been able to find online.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Aug 2014
Total posts 157
Well the article says one of the worlds' leading airlines. That definitely rules out United.
Qantas
02 May 2016
Total posts 62
@Dale....absolutely rules out United, lol
British Airways - Executive Club
07 Sep 2012
Total posts 47
I think its SQ. They're the only carrier now flying the 77W, A380, A359s and soon the 787-9.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Jun 2015
Total posts 24
Reports say that QR are nearing a Boeing deal? Could this mean they are a possibility?
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 440
QR have no plans to install F on any 777s. Their F is limited to their A380s and they only have an F class because every other airline that operates an A380 have F class too. With the worlds best J, F is an impossible product to sell on QR. People won't pay twice the J price for a slightly bigger seat, slightly better food and wine etc.
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 621
Many folks here kept mentioning operators with no F product planned for upcoming 77W deliveries(e.g. UA) or any new F only for 77X(e.g. QR...let alone any possible new 77W deal today won't start delivery until 2018). I'm surprised no one mentioned CA, MU, KE, NH, or Kuwait....each has 5 or more units awaiting delivery and all of them install F on EVERY 77W. I assume this is because folks here are unaware because these operators don't deploy 77W to AU.
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