In 2017, Qatar Airways set a new standard in Business Class with the introduction of its groundbreaking Qsuite. This innovative offering, still widely considered among the best in the world, features high-walled, closed-door privacy and versatile configurations for solo travellers, couples, and groups, paired with great food and beverage options.

Even though the Qsuite still isn’t installed on all of the airline’s long-haul aircraft (only around 80 of the 180-strong wide-body fleet features it), Qatar Airways will soon be rolling out a new version on its upcoming aircraft – dubbed ‘Qsuite Next Gen’, which it has now revealed at the biennial Farnborough International Airshow in the UK.

‘Qsuite 2.0’

Back in 2017, Qatar Airways was one of the first airlines to bring closed-door suites to long-haul Business Class, a concept that’s now “de rigueur” in practically all the latest rollouts in this cabin, including those by by British Airways, Qantas, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, Swiss and Japan Airlines.

That led to us to predict earlier this year that ‘Qsuite 2.0’ would be more evolutionary than revolutionary, which has proven to be the case with this latest reveal.

The new Qsuite 2.0 offers the following features, over the current version:

• Higher suite doors, at 143 cm compared to 132 cm, meaning the new ones stand some 11 cm higher than before, adding to the Qsuite’s privacy.
• A seat that is 4 cm wider in upright position, increasing to 10 cm wider in bed mode. Double suites in the middle when converted to a double bed are over 20cm wider in total.
• Manoeuvrable IFE screens that swivel back against the suite sidewall, allowing open couple arrangements, even at the window seats, which can now combine as “Companion Suites”.
• Better shoulder space, legroom and additional storage options.
• A larger tray table for working and dining.
• 22-inch 4K Panasonic Astrova IFE screens – slightly larger and better quality than the existing Qsuite 1.0’s HD displays, with a brand new Oryx entertainment system.
• Free unlimited 350 Mbps Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi.
• USB-C, USB-A, AC socket and wireless device charging.
• Upgraded touchscreen controls for personalised ambient lighting.

“Qatar Airways has once again raised the bar for its award-winning product, the Qsuite.”

Badr Mohammed Al Meer, CEO, Qatar Airways

The new Qsuite is manufactured by California-based Adient Aerospace, a departure from Qsuite 1.0’s Collins Aerospace heritage, though with most fundamental features retained in the new design.

Indeed Qsuite regulars will feel immediately at home in the new Qsuite 2.0 seat, with the colour palette, layout and functionality practically identical to the current version.

The biggest advance here is probably the “Companion Suite” option at the windows.

This will give travellers at consecutive rows the ability to retract the dividing wall including the in-flight entertainment screen against the side, opening this space up to form a sociable double seat, with each occupant facing one another, almost like they would in a restaurant.

Here’s how it looks in action at the Qatar Airways Qsuite Next Gen mockup, on display at the Farnborough Airshow.

We’ve long loved the Qsuite for its middle rear-facing couple option when flying together, and this new window-side design where neighbouring suites can be combined in a face-to-face arrangement looks like a great additional option we’re looking forward to trying, since you can’t beat a good window view!

The downside of course is that a double bed setup isn’t possible here – you’ll still have to opt for the rear-facing middle pair for that.

Wireless charging is a new must-have in the latest Business Class cabins, and of course Qatar Airways has made sure its new Qsuite is adequately equipped, with an integrated power pad directly within reach at the side console.

One criticism many have of the current Qsuite is a lack of storage, and the airline is addressing this in the new version with a lockable storage drawer that slides under the table at the seat side, just above the suite control panel.

As we also recently predicted, the new Qsuite 2.0 is lighter – which will reduce fuel burn, cut operating costs and increase the maximum payload and range for any aircraft it is installed on, compared to the current version.

A 20cm-wider bed in the middle pairs is good news for couples and families, and the new Qsuite also has a “Make My Bed” service via the passenger control console, alerting the cabin crew to provide a turn-down service.

Quite cleverly, Qatar Airways has provided some solid enhancements with this new Qsuite product, but without making the current version obsolete or significantly less desirable in our opinion.

The biggest issue we can think of will likely be for couples opting for the “Companion Suites” by the window, who then find their Qsuite 2.0 product replaced with Qsuite 1.0 on the day, removing the ability to enjoy an open shared space, though thankfully Qsuite 1.0 still remains an excellent product.

Which aircraft?

The new Qsuite will be installed on the carrier’s upcoming Boeing 777-9 aircraft “by 2025” according to Qatar Airways, though that timeline still depends on the troubled type’s certification process, with airlines like Emirates and Lufthansa already pointing to a 2026 service entry at the earliest.

Future Airbus A350-1000 deliveries from 2026 will also have Qsuite 2.0 installed, but the current plan is for the Boeing 777-9s to get it first.

Qatar Airways has 40 Boeing 777-9 aircraft on order, while the carrier is also set to receive a further 18 Airbus A350-1000s over the coming years.

Hopefully we will see this new Qsuite Next Gen product deployed on Qatar’s Singapore – Doha route in the not too distant future.

Singapore is currently one of Qatar Airways’ few guaranteed Qsuite routes, with all three daily services operated by aircraft equipped with this product, except for occasional operational swaps (less than 2% chance of this, last time we checked).

A new First Class is also coming

Back in March this year, Qatar Airways announced that it would be reversing strategy when it comes to its First Class cabins.

Former CEO Akbar Al Baker famously dismissed the need for the airline to have a First Class cabin, which currently only features on its 10 Airbus A380s, and indeed Qsuite was actually dubbed “First in Business” when it launched!

However, the new CEO has had a change of heart.

Al Meer confirmed in an interview with CNBC that Qatar Airways is in the advanced stages of developing a brand new First Class cabin.

“We were always focusing on two cabins, Economy and Business, however, based on demands for certain sectors we see that there is and that there will be, always, very high demand on First Class.

“I have decided in the last few months that we have to introduce a First Class cabin, especially when we have to [retire] the A380.”

Badr Mohammed Al Meer, CEO, Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways will only deploy First Class on specific routes and on specific aircraft types, according to demand for this cabin.

The airline currently deploys its First Class product on the A380 on selected flights between Doha and London, Sydney, Paris, Bangkok and Perth.

You can read a recent review of Qatar Airways First Class on the Airbus A380 here.

While a retrofit of existing Qatar Airways aircraft to include First Class isn’t out of the question, we suspect the product will only be included on the carrier’s upcoming Boeing 777-9 fleet, entering service from 2025.

Al Meer likened the development of the new First Class product to the “new benchmark” he says it set in Business Class with the Qsuite, back in 2017.

The airline will also aim to utilise its knowledge and expertise from having its own private jet company, Qatar Executive.

“We want to combine the experience of flying commercial and flying on [a] private jet and develop something new which is the First Class cabin…

“…what we did with the Qsuite by raising the benchmark [in Business Class] for a very long time, we will do the same with the First Class cabin.”

Badr Mohammed Al Meer, CEO, Qatar Airways

That’s quite a promise, given both the current and upcoming First Class and Suites offerings on the market.

Qatar Airways has strong competition in the First Class stakes, with SIA’s A380 Suites product and its upcoming brand new First Class on the Boeing 777-9, plus the Emirates “game changer” fully enclosed Suites.

There are also brand new First Class cabins in store for Lufthansa, Swiss and Qantas passengers in the coming years, all of which look impressive, so we’ll be keen to see how the benchmark is raised in Qatar’s concept, once it’s revealed.

The latest Qsuite product coming to Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777-9s and future Airbus A350-1000s from next year doesn’t reset the bar in Business Class in the same way Qsuite 1.0 did, which isn’t surprising because – in the opinion of most travellers – there’s not much more that needs to be improved here.

Nonetheless, the latest product will incorporate a range of improvements like wireless charging, higher suite walls for added privacy (the highest in Business Class), and wider seats with more storage options.

The main selling point of ‘Qsuite 2.0’ is undoubtedly the ability to fold back the IFE screens to open up the consecutive forward and rear facing window pairs into a “Companion Suite”, offering more sociable options for couples who like window views.

That benefit is also extended to the existing quad seats in the middle section, which can now be opened up into a huge space where you can truly go face-to-face with your neighbours over drinks or dinner.

Qatar Airways will also introduce a new First Class product on some of its Boeing 777-9s, so there’s set to be another product reveal in store from the Oneworld carrier over the coming months.

(Cover Photo: Qatar Airways)