Qatar Airways is under new management as of the last year, as longtime CEO Akbar Al Baker resigned, and was replaced by Badr Mohammed Al Meer.
Al Meer is a breath of fresh air at the airline, not just because he wants to build a better culture for employees, or because he roams the airport on weekends to help people. But I also genuinely love his vision for the airline, and where he wants to take it. Qatar Airways is already by many metrics the world’s best airline, and he wants to make it even better.
Along those lines, earlier this year we learned about how Al Meer wants to introduce a new first class product at the airline, and make it more of a focus going forward. He has just provided an interesting (and realistic) update regarding this project.
In this post:
Qatar Airways plans private jet-like first class
Back in March 2024, Qatar Airways’ new CEO had an interesting interview with CNBC, talking about how it’s “a new era” at the Gulf carrier, following a multi-month “war room” review of the business. He’s not only looking to refresh the carrier’s strategy, but also to reset relationships with suppliers.
As part of this review, Al Meer decided that a long haul first class product does have a future at the airline. For context, when Al Baker was CEO, he made it clear that he planned to eliminate first class, claiming that there’s no need for the product, because the carrier’s business class is so good. As he explained:
“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.”
Al Meer has a different perspective, claiming that the airline is committed to maintaining first class, and is well into developing a new product. As he explained:
“We wanted to combine the experience of flying commercial and flying on a private jet and develop something new. We are 70% to 80% ready. We are only finalizing colors and small touches, but hopefully we will be able to announce it very soon.”
This week, Al Meer had an interview with Skift, where he talks more about the future of first class. So, what’s the latest with the new first class plans? First of all, Al Meer will reportedly see a prototype of the new first class seat in the next couple of days.
However, Al Meer also takes more of a cautious tone with introducing this new product, acknowledging serious supply chain issues. As he explained:
“There are problems in the supply chain, problems with certification. We are working very closely with suppliers and manufacturers to see how they can accelerate the certification process.”
Qatar Airways wants to introduce something unique that’s exclusive to the airline, and that certification process can take quite some time. There are no additional details yet about what kind of a timeline we should expect, but I’d anticipate it will realistically probably be at least a couple of years before this product is introduced.
Which planes will get Qatar Airways’ new first class?
Currently Qatar Airways has long haul first class on two aircraft:
- All Airbus A380s, which the airline intended to retire during the pandemic, but brought back due to the dispute the company had with Airbus
- A few Boeing 777s, which Qatar Airways picked up from Cathay Pacific, so the airline just maintained the cabins installed on those jets
On top of that, the airline markets its forward cabin on many regional flights as first class, though in terms of seating, that’s truly business class.
On which planes could we see the new first class product introduced? The airline has 60 Boeing 777-9s on order, and this will eventually become Qatar Airways’ flagship aircraft. Clearly Qatar Airways plans to introduce first class on these aircraft.
Now, only time will tell whether first class is installed on all or just some of these jets. I expect only a subset of the 777Xs will get the new first class, especially if there are supply chain delays.
On top of that, keep in mind that Qatar Airways plans to order more aircraft soon, with the possibility of ordering additional Airbus A350-1000s and Boeing 777-9s. So it’s possible that some of those planes will also feature this product. However, there are no plans to retrofit existing aircraft with first class.
Whatever Qatar Airways comes up with, I suspect it will impress. The airline has just revealed its new Qsuites Next Gen business class, which will debut on Boeing 777Xs. This is an improvement on the carrier’s existing business class, and I just don’t really see business class getting much better than this.
The problem historically has been that Qatar Airways has offered an exceptional business class, while first class was just okay. I hope the airline tries to have as much of a “wow” factor with its first class as it has with its business class, when compared to the competition.
I’ve written in the past about how Cathay Pacific is planning a new first class for its Boeing 777-9s. While it’s anyone’s guess if this ends up being the case, there have been rumors that it could look something like Butterfly’s Peacock Suites concept. Only time will tell how that plays out, but it certainly does create a private jet-like experience. 
Bottom line
Qatar Airways’ new CEO is changing things up at the oneworld airline. While former CEO Akbar Al Baker pledged to eliminate first class, new CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer has a different strategy, and plans to introduce a new first class product.
Unfortunately we don’t have much information beyond that, and we’re also told that there are some potential delays with this. I suspect this will be offered on Boeing 777Xs, though it’s anyone’s guess how many planes will get the product.
What do you make of Qatar Airways’ plans to introduce a new first class?
One thing is right, QR Biz onboard and on the ground in DOH are outstanding and one if not the best in the industry. Believe me it hurts to say that but it is the fact.
Nevertheless a long haul First product is a great prospect. But personally an outstanding Biz product makes a First obsolete. QR should focus on what is has and stop visioning on money losing projects.
I'm sure they'll crunch the numbers very carefully. There are still ports that can support first class - London, Paris, NY, Tokyo, Sydney, etc - but to make it worth the premium they'll have to offer an exceptional product.
I was in the same (pooled) interview. Looking at my notes, he did NOT say it is going on the 779. He said it would go onto the aircraft which will be ordered in Q1 2025 through the tender process currently underway with Airbus and Boeing. We're therefore looking at 2028+.
That's obviously the 777-9.