Qatar Airways renews faith in first class – Aircraft Interiors International

Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, group CEO of Qatar Airways, has revealed several developments in line with his vision for the future of the airline. He has devised what the airline describes as a ‘roadmap for success’, designed to invigorate the airline and its group of businesses. Innovation is the key pillar of the roadmap, which is reflected in Qatar Airways’ upcoming products and services – including the introduction of new First Class cabins on some of its aircraft fleet.

In an interview with American business news channel CNBC (his first interview since being appointed as group CEO in November 2023, replacing Akbar Al Baker), Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer stated: “This is a new era.”

The far-ranging interview (excerpts can be found on Youtube, discussing Boeing, a possible IPO, and Riyadh Air) touched on the overall positive outlook for the Qatar Airways Group as he detailed his approach to developing a high-yielding concept for a planned new First Class cabin.

Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer stated: “Based on the demand from certain sectors, we see a high demand for first class, and as such, have decided to introduce a newly designed first class cabin unique to Qatar Airways. No one can develop a first class cabin better than us – we are combining the experience of flying commercial and executive jets to develop something new. We are 70 to 80 per cent ready and are only finalising colours. We are hoping to announce it soon.”

That is a strong claim, given the high standard of first class cabins flying with carriers such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Etihad and SWISS.

It also runs contrary to his predecessor Al Baker’s view. In an interview with Fortune he said: “Why should you invest in a subclass of an aeroplane that already gives you all the amenities that first class gives you. I don’t see the necessity.”

However, first class seems to be seeing something of a renaissance after many airlines dropped it in favour of luxurious ‘business plus’ suites. SWISS and Lufthansa are investing in first class, and British Airways has just announced that a new and upgraded First suite is close to completion.

There is also news about Qatar Airways’ business class, with Engr. Badr Al-Meer stating that a redesign of its premium Qsuite is due to debut at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2024.

Qatar Airways’ Qsuite Business Class challenged industry norms when it was launched in 2017, with its quad layout which enabled a social space for four. Designed with PriestmanGoode and Collins Aerospace, the Qsuite won a Crystal Cabin Award in 2018. It will be interesting to see how the design will evolve.

Engr. Badr Al-Meer also stated that the competitive aviation landscape in the GCC region (the Gulf Cooperation Council, which brings together six Arab countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) is helping raise the bar when it comes to customer experience. He stated that ‘the pressure is on’ for potential rivals, and he welcomes any challenge for Qatar Airways. The airline says he “remains confident in Qatar Airways continuing to hold onto its market leading position in the future to outshine any competition”.

The GCEO also underlined the ways in which digital innovation is helping drive organisational efficiencies, as the airline continues to announce new routes in growth markets including China and India, further enhancing Qatar’s position as a gateway to the world.

Qatar Airways currently serves over 170 global destinations, and will soon launch inaugural flights to Hamburg and Tashkent, and resumed flights to Lisbon and Venice. Qatar Airways will also resume several summer seasonal routes, including Adana, Antalya, Bodrum, Marrakesh, Mykonos, Sarajevo, and Trabzon.