Qatar Airways has pulled back the curtains on its new Business Class offering, unveiling ‘Qsuite Next Gen’. Officially announced at the Farnborough Airshow in London, the updated suite takes everything travellers know and love about the ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and adorns it with a healthy dose of contemporary luxury. More legroom, anyone?
Qsuite Next Gen Cabin Design
Set to feature on board the carrier’s Boeing B777-9s by 2025, the new Qsuite Next Gen offering introduces a swathe of new and enhanced features alongside a redesigned cabin space. Slightly larger than the previous iteration, the fully customisable Quad Suites arrive equipped with movable 4K OLED Panasonic Astrova IFE screens – a first for any airline in the world.
Qatar Airways claims that these screens can also be repositioned to the side to maximise space, allowing for up to four passengers in the Quad Suite and up to two passengers in the window aisle Companion Suites. According to Qatar Airways Group chief executive officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, the updated Business Class design aims to facilitate a mindful work-life balance for all professionals, friends, and families.
“We are excited to have finally revealed the long-awaited Qsuite Next Gen at the Farnborough International Airshow,” Al-Meer said. “Qatar Airways has once again raised the bar for its award-winning product, the Qsuite. We look forward to welcoming media and partners to our stand throughout the week to experience the future of business class travel with the World’s Best Business Class onboard the World’s Best Airline.”
Qatar Airways Qsuite Next Gen Features & Bed
To complement the new cabin design, Qsuite Next Gen also sees a range of new customisation options enter the fold, including ambient lighting and upgraded touchscreen Passenger Control Units. Make no mistake, however, sleep is a priority. To ensure travellers cop a good night’s rest, Qatar Airways has added enhanced privacy features, introducing taller, digitally controlled dividers whilst also introducing larger lie-flat and double beds.
As you would expect, the airline’s much-loved turn-down service makes an appearance, however, Qsuite Next Gen also integrates a dedicated ‘Make My Bed’ feature. Guests simply need to press a button on the control centre, and a member of the cabin crew will make their way to the suite, ready to fold, press and preen the bed on demand – Provided they are actually a physical person, that is.
Sama, Qatar Airways’ AI Digital Human Cabin Crew
Qatar Airways also took the Farnborough Airshow as an opportunity to unveil the next iteration of Sama, the ‘World’s First AI Digital Human cabin crew’. At the event, Sama built up the audience’s excitement by speaking directly with Engr. Al-Meer, explaining the new features of the Qsuite Next Gen offering, whilst also touching on the airline’s focus on innovation.
Developed in partnership with AI digital human technology company UneeQ, Qatar Airways says that Sama harnesses UneeQ’s innovative platform to enhance the digital travel experience. The new technology reportedly utilises comprehensive visual interactions and an interactive 3D map to understand customers’ travel preferences to help eliminate the need for manual searches.
Sama is set to roll out to Qatar Airways flights in the immediate future, with the new Qsuite Next Gen cabins to be integrated into the fleet by 2025.
