Qatar’s next-gen Qsuite business class launches in July

Widely regarded as the benchmark for business class suites, the Qsuite is about to get even better...

By David Flynn, March 18 2024
Qatar’s next-gen Qsuite business class launches in July

Qatar Airways will launch its second-generation Qsuite business class in late July, ahead of its debut in 2025 on the Gulf carrier’s first Boeing 777-9 jetliner.

The ‘Qsuite 2.0’ will break cover seven years after the 2017 arrival of the original QSuite, which set a new benchmark for business class and popularised the use of sliding doors to turn open seats into private suites.

Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer, who last year took over from long-time chief Akbar Al Baker – the man responsible for shaping Qatar Airways into a heavy-hitting premium airline – confirmed the Qsuite 2.0 launch during a wide-ranging interview with CNBC, adding the suites will be revealed at England’s Farnborough Airshow, which takes place from July 22-26 2024.

While Al Meer didn’t share any details on the new Qsuite, Al Baker has previously told Executive Traveller it would create “a revolution of how people travel in business class.”

Al Baker described it as “a huge enhancement of the current Qsuite, because people now are all booking on QR because of the Qsuite, it's a brand that is now really known to everybody,” leading Qatar Airways to continue refining the product “because we are in a very competitive industry.”

How do you make the Qsuite even better? We'll soon see...
How do you make the Qsuite even better? We'll soon see...

Early reports of the Qsuite 2.0, which was in the first stages of broad design in 2021, indicated the suite would move to a lighter-weight materials and framework to increase the fuel efficiency of aircraft, with the possibility of a revised height for the walls and door, increased storage and more room around the passenger’s feet.

The bespoke Qsuite 2.0 will no doubt come bristling with high-tech touches such as USB-C and wireless device charging, and Bluetooth audio streaming from the in-suite 4K video screen to the traveller’s own headphones or earbuds.

However, the new Qsuite will fly into vastly more competitive skies than its predecessor.

Neighbour and rival Emirates will roll out next-gen A350 and 777 product, both of which are expected to have privacy doors; also on the runway is Cathay Pacific’s Aria Suites business class and Lufthansa’s Allegris business class, while speculation in mounting over new doored business class suites for Singapore Airlines.

But not to be left behind, Al Meer also revealed Qatar Airways will be bringing back first class with a series of luxed-up suites which will be more like flying in a private jet.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

05 Oct 2016

Total posts 90

I only just flew on the Qsuite last week for the first time, and I'm not sure I understand the hype! I'd just as soon as fly on their A380 seats - which feel spacious. To me there was much less practical storage solutions especially for small things (shelf is too open to items sliding off). And I am not a fan of sitting backwards, it feels all wrong and confusing, particularly at take off and landing. The privacy door would not stay closed - kept on sliding open of it's own free will!! And I found the bed to be uncomfortable - felt like I was sleeping on a bump in the middle at my lower back - not just a lumbar support but a hard section of seat... Other than that, still love QR service over anything else, especially EK...

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Sep 2012

Total posts 37

Yeah interesting thoughts..I only just flew them for the first time a few months ago as well and was REALLY looking forward to it based on the glowing reviews. First thoughts was despite the spaciousness it felt very claustrophobic!! Like they jammed too much 'hardware' into the aircraft and there were these cubicles everywhere. Now I'm a huge fan of privacy and have yet to fly the SQ A380 First with the huge suites which look truly remarkable, but I was slightly disappointed when I first got on the flight. I did however really like how high the walls were and that the door/walls combo really did make you feel like you had real privacy!

Now..that being said the suite grew on me throughout the long flight and the service was unbelievably attentive so I'm definitely on the band wagon of QSuite fans now (so much so that I changed my return flight from another airline, to fly back on Qsuites!) I'd be curious what they'd do with a 'v2' but hopefully they'll take on board travellers inputs!

26 Sep 2020

Total posts 14

I haven't flown on the Qsuite yet but after two long trips in ANA The Room, I would take some convincing that the Qsuite is a better product. Whilst Qatar may have a better soft product, it is hard to beat the size and comfort of the bed on the ANA product.

03 Oct 2011

Total posts 34

Are you sure you flew a Qsuite and not a 789? The 789 has the "Business Suite" product, not a Qsuite. This is the Adient Aerospace seat mentioned above. Yes, it has walls and a door, but that's it. There is zero storage space, it's very cramped, and the walls and door are too low to provide any privacy (the door intentionally doesn't close).

The Qsuite has ample storage. There's the shelf, plus a second shelf area below it, and a large cubby underneath the separate padded thing that's between the seat and the door.

16 Jul 2021

Total posts 4

I'm a great fan of the Qsuites, having booked flights to and from Europe this year on a/c wherever they were available. They did not disappoint and, as I was travelling alone, I booked a forward-facing seat by the window. Not that a rear-facing seat should trouble anyone - that is the safest way to travel, and military a/c have rear-facing seats to protect personnel. The privacy door was wonderful and the cabin service and food excellent. Unfortunately Qsuites are not available on all a/c, so the flight Doha to Australia had the regular business class seat opening onto the passageway, as before. But, after the privacy of Qsuites, I really noticed the difference, for example - the continual flickering of the TV screen across the passageway while I was watching a different movie. I sincerely hope that Qatar will soon introduce Qsuites on all their a/c arriving in Australia, as I'm a convert!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Dec 2014

Total posts 59

I flew in Qsuites for the first time in June and was blown away. I’ve flown Business Class on several airlines and these are next level - better than many First Class offerings. Add to that the attentive service and on-demand food, and I’ll be a Qatar Airways fan from now on.

It's honestly hard to see how the Qsuite could be made significantly better apart from expected niceties like a larger video screen if they can fit one into the space, Bluetooth audio streaming, wireless device charging. Anything else would have to be 'tweaks' to increase usable space, storage areas etc but on the whole there just doesn't seem to be much more you can do in the same physical space as today's Qsuite.

The Qsuite is truly remarkable. I'm quite averse to small spaces, and so contrary to some comments, it doesn't feel claustrophobic at all. Because it is a well-appointed space, it does what it's supposed to do. I must admit that the Qsuite varies on this space depending on the type of aircraft. The 777 has a bigger product, while the A350 doesn't.

Their service matches with the product, or perhaps exceeds it.

Call me biased, but I ALWAYS fly QR, and always will. Nothing beats them.

03 Oct 2011

Total posts 34

I'm very relieved to read that Qsuite 2 won't be based on the horrible Adient Aerospace product that is QR's "Business Suite" on their 789 aircraft. That's a really lousy product. Granted, it has walls and a door, but that's it. There is zero storage space, it's very cramped, and the walls and door are too low to provide any privacy (the door intentionally doesn't close).

What would make Qsuite 2 really special would be for each suite to have an air nozzle. Currently, center seats do not have air nozzles except on 777s.

Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer

24 Aug 2018

Total posts 106

At the risk of repeating myself, Qatar ground staff in Melbourne were fabulous, effortlessly arranging luggage to be delivered to San Sebastián via Dubai and Madrid ensuring a blissful time in Northern Spain. If the new next- gen Q suite J class is even better, our national carrier, also starting with Q is bound to lose more customers, including this traveller


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