In July 2024, Qatar Airways unveiled its newest business class product, known as Qsuite Next Gen. While the initial plan was for this to be installed as of late 2025, that timeline didn’t stick due to delivery delays with the Boeing 777X. Qatar Airways now intends to debut this product on the Airbus A350 as of mid-2027.
Qatar Airways Plans New Business Class Product
Qatar Airways is known for its Qsuites business class, one of the world’s best business class experiences, combining an excellent soft and hard product. Nearly 10 years after the product was introduced, it’s available on most long haul aircraft, but not all. Even so, that’s not stopping the airline from innovating.
Qatar Airways plans to introduce Qsuite Next Gen, its newest long haul business class experience. This product is evolutionary rather than revolutionary — which isn’t surprising given how good Qatar Airways’ existing product already is. However, the improvements are substantial, and this looks set to easily be the world’s overall best business class experience.
The Qsuite Next Gen business class cabin has the same general layout as the current product, in a staggered configuration alternating between forward and rear facing seats. There are some significant improvements, which will be especially great for those traveling together.
Here are some of the highlights of what’s changing:
- A new movable 4K OLED Panasonic Astrova inflight entertainment screen, which 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 up to two passengers in the Companion Suite
- New customization options, including ambient lighting, privacy controls, and a touchscreen passenger control unit
- A larger lie-flat seat, as well as a large double bed
- Added privacy, with taller, digitally controlled dividers
- New storage, including enclosed drawers where you can store your phone, watch, jewelry, and other items
- Significantly improved tech, including new wireless charging
Qatar Airways’ Qsuite Next Gen business class
Qatar Airways’ Qsuite Next Gen business class
Qatar Airways’ Qsuite Next Gen business class
Qatar Airways’ Qsuite Next Gen business class
Qatar Airways Qsuite Next Gen Rollout Schedule
Initially, Qatar Airways planned to introduce the Qsuite Next Gen business class product on the Boeing 777-9. The airline has at least 60 of these planes on order, and when the product was unveiled in mid-2024, deliveries were expected to start as of late 2025.
That timeline has been pushed back considerably, as the 777X still isn’t certified. Currently, Qatar Airways expects to take delivery of its first 777X in late 2027 at the earliest — and that could easily be delayed again. A new first class product is also expected to debut on these planes, or at least a subfleet of them.
With continued 777X delays, the airline is developing a new plan. Executive Traveller quotes Qatar Airways CEO Hamad Ali Al-Khater as saying that Qsuite Next Gen will now debut in mid-2027 on the Airbus A350-1000. Specifically, the plan is that the remaining roughly one dozen A350 deliveries will feature these new cabins from that point forward.
This is the first time any aircraft other than the 777-9 has been confirmed for the Qsuite Next Gen product. However, this will only create more product inconsistency across the fleet, since there are currently no plans to retrofit existing A350-1000s with the new cabin. Qatar Airways’ fleet has become notably inconsistent in this regard, as the airline has largely stepped back from retrofitting existing aircraft with its current latest-generation business class — something travelers should keep in mind when booking and selecting specific flights.
