Qatar Airways 'raises the bar' with new QSuite Business Class

Qatar Airways unveiled its new QSuite Business Class on Tuesday at the ITB Berlin travel industry trade show. The new seats offer more privacy, more choices, and more personalization.

"Today I am proud to unveil the future of premium travel with our new QSuite Business Class," Qatar Airways Group CEO His Excellency Akbar Al Baker said in a statement. He said QSuite’s unique and patented design is a world first is several ways and is “raising the bar" in air travel.

NZHerald reports that QSuite will be introduced on aircraft flying the Auckland-Doha route. It reportedly features the industry's first-ever double bed available in Business Class plus privacy panels that lets passengers in next-door seats to have their own private room.

QSuite will also include adjustable panels and television monitors for families and friends to be able to create a private suite. Al Baker joked that ''quiet please" signs may be needed for couples who are travelling together. “I'm sure people in the air will behave themselves,” he said.

Qatar Airways had patented the suites. “Not only have we developed something of a revolution but we have patented it so none of my competitors will be able to copy as in the past when we raise the bar they then follow us,” the CEO added.

Business Insider notes that Qatar Airways have opted to a two-class layout on all of its planes a few years ago. Last year, the company was recognised as the best business class in the world by Skytrax, a consumer aviation website.

Al Baker described the new QSuite Business Class as ''way above" what anybody else would ever attempt. It is said to change the way people travel in Business Class.

Pricing for the Qatar suites is not announced yet, but it will take up more space than existing business class seats. In most cases, new product fares will go up accordingly if they have to take up more space in the aircraft.

Al Baker said the business suite will not cannibalise its First Class offering due to the fact that they will be in different aircraft types than the A380 double decker. They will be installed in a 1-2-1 configuration.

BE Aerospace will manufacture the suites and the seats fold down to fully flat 2m-long beds. QSuite is designed to thrive in group settings as it also offers individual comfort and convenience with a new level of flexibility.