Ever since Qatar Airways launched its impressive business class product QSuite a decade ago, most airlines have tried to up their own ante to compete with this incredibly competitive Business Class seat. Not to be outdone, Qatar Airways has just revealed an update to the QSuite which will feature on the airlines new 777-9 which is set to fly in 2025.
But what has changed? A lot of the design work is set to increase space and create better efficiencies out of the existing seat. But the most noticeable differences are found in the moveable partitions between the seats. The redesigned Quad Suite is now equipped with movable 4K OLED Panasonic Astrova IFE screens – a first for any airline in the world. The screens can be repositioned to the side to create the largest social and productivity space in the sky for up to four passengers in the Quad Suite, and – in a first for the QSuite – up to two passengers in the Companion Suite (the front-rear facing window pairs).
Rest and relaxation on-board the Quad Suite has also been enhanced with increased space for dining together – a hallmark of Qatari heritage, as well added privacy with taller, digitally controlled dividers. With larger lie-flat and double beds, the new Quad Suite will also offer the 5-star Qatar Airways turn-down service with a dedicated ‘Make My Bed’ feature.
The new Companion Suite has similar characteristics to the Quad Suite, now with the noteworthy revamp of offering the same shared space in window aisles.
Adopting new technologies for increased passenger convenience and connectivity, the Qsuite Next Gen delivers a vast array of customisation options, ranging from ambient lighting to privacy controls, through its upgraded touchscreen Passenger Control Units.
While these aren’t huge advancements in themselves, the airline has been smart here, in creating an upgraded product that’s not so dissimilar from the existing product that it – in itself – becomes obsolete. But the enhancements made will make enough of a difference to keep the product competitive for the years to come too. After all, only the FUSIO seat comes close to comparable currently only operated by ANA. Well done Qatar Airways, it seems in 2024, you are on a positive trajectory upwards once again.