Qatar Airways threw down a big gauntlet today in the world of premium class cabins. While primary rivals Etihad and Emirates (not to mention competition from around the globe) have focused on impressive First Class cabins, Qatar changed the game this morning at ITB Berlin. There was a massive rush of press there but I managed to fight (almost literally) my way into the new cabin to give you a first look at the new seat!
I’ll follow up with full details soon but I wanted to get pictures to you fast. Check out the pictures and my initial reaction below!
Game. changed.
The Q Suite is an amazing concept that will put immense pressure on Qatar’s rivals. Qatar Airways group chairman, His Excellency Mr. Akbar al Baker, was sure to point out that they had indeed patented this seat design to “make it harder for our competitors to copy us when we change the game”. And change the game they did. From double beds to fully enclosed suites, the Q Suite takes cues from what other airlines are doing in First Class and brings them to Business Class.
Like I said, full details to follow but wanted you to see it from me first!
(for a previous review I did of the existing Qatar Airways Business Class, click here)
Pick me please :). I like the last picture but mostly because I like the sweatshirt in the pic – I can’t help myself.
The new business class is great!
The last picture is the best
Would love the amenity kit, that looks sharp! Best photo has to be of the 4 seats, all fully reclined into bed mode with the guy snapping a photo with his phone. Made me immediately think wouldn’t it be crazy to buy all 4 seats and just have a massive bed to yourself. 😀
I’d like to enter! I love the third picture – really is an innovative product for business class.
I’d like to enter the contest. The first picture on top is the best!
Final photo is favorite.
I’d like to enter the contest.
Favorite: picture 9. I think this concept for 4-person dining is quite original and will allow families to experience the trip together. This is really first of its kind!
That looks incredible! Thanks for the real-life pics.
btw, this was my contest entry
Hi Andy, I’d like to enter the contest. Good job on the Qatar coverage! I think the best photo is the one showing the double beds and the press in the background. A close second is the first photo with the logo “The Sky Is A Wonderful Place To Be” which is so true.
Entering the contest.
4th picture, family travel together and dine together!
Amazing seats that I’ll probably never sit in.
Also contest this comment.
I like the 4th to last photo the best – it’s great for a family of 4 to eat together while flying!
I would like to enter the contest for the new Qatar Airways amenity kit. My favorite photo is the third one.
the two beds with the food service makes it look amazing
thanks!
i like the 3rd photo of the double beds. how freaking cool is that? not just singapore airlines anymore
3rd picture is my favorite as it shows the whole view of the suite in a realistic scenario
Love to be in your contest! Your second picture is my favorite.
The first photo is nice
I would like to enter the contest for the amenity kit giveaway. I like the third picture which shows the two center seats as a bed, with the tray table, side shelf, and extra storage shelf next to the reclined seat along with a door…that is an excellent business class product! Thank you!
My favorite picture is the first one: it summarizes the whole luxury experience very well in my opinion. Also, I’d like to enter the contest!
I like the first picture.
I’d like to enter the kit giveaway. My favorite picture is any of the with the food!
Count me in for the contest! If the picture of a double bed and pillow is anything, I won’t want to leave the seat!
I would like to enter the contest. I love the pictures of the sleeping area!! Amazing!
This configuration looks awesome! Unfortunate my travel plans rarely take me to places that Qatar flies!
The amenity kit would be a nice gift to my wife. It looks like a purse. The 2nd picture by the window looks really nice.
Hi Andy,
Thank you for being the first blogger to share with us this brand-new concept. I am dying to win one of those fantastic amenity kits. My favorite photo is His Excellency Mr. Akbar al Baker, standing in the photo with the entire press in the background clamoring to take a look at the new double beds suite. It looks truly exciting !
I’d like to enter the giveaway! Favorite photo is of the amenity kit obviously.
8th picture is my favorite. The one with all the media, people, cameras in the back looking like they are in line to see and test out the new qsuite. Oh yeah, I want to enter the contest. I love amenity kits
I think number 9 gives the best feel for the autonomous cabin space. Truly unique amongst the best of the best in higher class seating.
I really liked the photo where it showed how a family of four will work if they are dining together. Awesome concept and hope to try out soon! 🙂
I like the 6th picture. The doors Look so classy. I just love the color scheme. I love using amenity kits on all My trips. So handy!
The picture that has the CEO standing inside the suite is the best as it shows all the media AND in the foreground is some guy with TWO phones taking pictures…one in each hand! It is the eighth photo (but file name is 9). The amenity kit looks very spiffy….
The third picture really reflects the refined luxury of the new QSuite… I would really enjoy the amenity kit, it seems pretty amazing!
This is amazing….I think I could actually fly around the world in this. I am a Manchester City EPL fan and their sponsor is Etihad…..Qatar beats them so far!!!
Wow. I could definitely get used to travel this way!!
Congrats, you won!
What I love is a airline is saying that business class is their prime customer. The past photo with the shelf under the tray is just another example. Your blog also supports that business is driven by trips to meet one on one and air travel makes it happen.
Hi, I’d like to enter the contest. The 8th picture is my favorite
Double bed in third picture is pretty cool!
I would love to win! My favorite pic is the one with double bed and food.
The third to last picture (w/ the Eiffel Tower onscreen) is probably the nicest of the lot. I’d love to have that be my seat.
Please enter me in contest. I like the third and forth pictures because it paints a dreamy picture of my family of four embarking on a trip of a lifetime. 😮
I like the 8th picture the most, where you capture the seats and the crowd.
I like the third picture … the bed is HUGE!
I like the picture with the guy in the red tie looking at the seats; at first I thought it was coach passengers walking by a decked out area. I’d like to enter the contest.
picture four is my fav! thanks!
Amazing coverage of the QSuite and the event, Andy. Must have been so exciting to witness the unveil in person. Wish I could have been there. Watched your video, read your posts and reviewed your photos. And you’re right, I haven’t seen any other blogs with non-stock imagery yet. If I have to pick one, I’d say the first image because like you, I want that pillow! When you’re in a QSuite, of course the sky is a wonderful place to be! Cheers.
This looks like United Polaris in terms of layout
My favorite has to be the picture of His Excellency Akbar al Baker showcasing the most distinguishing feature of the QSuite
I like the 3rd picture showing the ‘double bed’ in full glory
One day I’ll travel in style, until then I’ll enjoy the third picture!
Andy, I’d like to enter the contest. I like picture number 5 of suite 8G, because I think the guy in the background looks like Hans Gruber, Alan Rickman in Die Hard.
Thanks for running this contest. It’s fun to enter something where I know my odds are more like 1:100 than 1:3,000,000
Please pick me. Fourth picture is the best. Love the double-bed photo with the shared food spread.
I would love the opportunity to fly like this with my 17 & 14 year old. We love to travel but I don’t think I will ever be able to afford something like this. My favorite picture would have to be #4 I could only imagine how fun it would be to actually have a real meal and bed in the air.
The second pic is the best. Loved Qatar to begin with with new business class. Excellent . I would love to enter the contest.