The history of the QsuiteQatar's brand new Qsuite has launched
The original Qsuite is one of the best, if not the best business-class seat. I've been lucky enough to win the Qatar Qsuite bingo a few times and experience it. Never one to rest, Qatar has just launched their brand new business class seat: the Next-Gen Qsuite.
The history of the Qsuite
Qatar first flew the Qsuite in 2017 and it redefined business class, with features like closeable doors, direct aisle access for all seats and the ability to combine two or four seats into a pod. The very first Qsuite flight was from Doha to London.
With the launch being seven years ago you might think that all Qatar planes have this business class seat. That isn't the case. Qatar has issues with some planes not being wide enough, and they also operate aircraft that are leased from Cathay Pacific that retain the Cathay business class (and first class) seating. Qatar are currently operating their A380, although that plane appears to be on borrowed time so there it little appetite - at present - to invest in a refit.
Across their fleet Qatar operates a staggering six different business class seat types. That means booking a Qsuite isn't easy. I've got future flights that have swapped twice between an aircraft that has a Qsuite, and one that does not.
Having flown in a Q-suite twice I can attest to what an amazing experience it is (and not just the hard product, but the service as well). It feels bigger than the British Airways Club Suite, more private and more luxurious.
Why is Qatar important to Avios collectors?
If you're based in the UK and you collect Avios then you might be thinking: how would a new seat impact me? Qatar's mileage programme is based around Avios and they fly from a number of UK cities to Doha, and then connect to lots of destinations.
It's a viable alternative to using BA for Avios, especially so for travellers around Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh where Qatar has direct flights to Doha. You can easily redeem.
What's new in the new Qsuite
- A new way to travel as a couple. window seats can now open a partition between them (next to the TV screens) to create a social connection between the two seats. (Previously only central pods). They call this the new "companion suite". The TV screens that each passengers faces can be rotated 90 degrees to create a large shared surface, or as Qatar calls it "Face to Face dining". This is a really nice addition for couples, who can now dine together. Very few seats allow this - if you were particularly svelte you can do this in some BA first-class seats but it's a tight squeeze.
- In the middle of the aircraft, the ability to make a four-person pod has been improved as the TV screens can rotate 90 degrees, not only making more space to see each other but also creating screens that are visible to each passenger. The shared table space/surface area is now much larger.
- Ambient lighting has been improved.
- Addition of "Smart secured drawers" for storing valuables.
- Wireless charging has been added, and Bluetooth connectivity for headphones.
- The new suite is 1.5inches wider than the current Qsuite.
- The bed is 4inches wider than the current Qsuite
- The screen has been updated from a 21.5" to 22".
- Larger tray tables
- Expect an upgraded version of Qatar's Oryx entertainment platform
When will the new Qsuite be on planes?
The new Qsuite is expected to launch on the delayed Boing 777X, to be delivered to Qatar from 2025 onwards. Qatar has also said that they expect around eighteen A350s that are due for delivery to also feature the seat, but they will come after the 777X.
It's highly likely that the new Qsuite will not appear on the 787. Qatar operates the 787-8 and 787-9 and neither planes have the original Qsuite on them (opting for the Super Diamond or Adient Ascent seats). If those cabins were too tight for the original Qsuite then there's not much chance of fitting the wider suites in.
The same goes for the A330 (Qatar operates the 200 and 300 variants). The A380 is more of a question mark. It has a handful of these jets, but Qatar expects to retire half of them from 2028. With BA planning to refit their A380s, there's still a chance that the lifetime is extended and Qatar refits them. Width may still be an issue.
