Qatar Airways is known for offering one of the world’s best business class experiences, with an industry leading hard and soft product. The airline is now one-upping itself, and is making the soft product even closer to what you’d expect in first class.
In this post:
Qatar Airways will serve caviar in business class
As of August 15, 2024, Qatar Airways is adding caviar to its menu in business class on 13 routes. Specifically, caviar will be available in business class on flights between Doha (DOH) and Boston (BOS), Dallas (DFW), Hong Kong (HKG), Houston (IAH), London (LHR), Los Angeles (LAX), Melbourne (MEL), New York (JFK), Paris (CDG), Sao Paulo (GRU), Singapore (SIN), Sydney (SYD), and Washington (IAD).
Qatar Airways already offers an extensive dine on demand menu in business class. The new caviar service can be enjoyed as a standalone option, or as part of the onboard meal courses. The caviar will be served with the traditional accompaniments, as well as balik-style salmon.
Up until now, Qatar Airways has only served caviar in its long haul first class (whether on the Airbus A380 or select Boeing 777s). Here’s how Qatar Airways’ SVP of Product Development, Xia Cai, describes this new service:
“As the world’s only 11-time winner of the Skytrax ‘World’s Best Business Class’ award, Qatar Airways takes pride in providing the best premium business class travel experience. The introduction of caviar service, commonly available only in first class cabins, further elevates Qatar Airways’ award-winning business class experience. We are committed to continuously enhance our onboard services to elevate the industry’s standards and delight our passengers.”
Well done, Qatar Airways!
Qatar Airways is in a league of its own when it comes to investing in its business class soft product. I actually think it’s a smart strategy — so many airlines invest in fancy seats and allocate a lot of space to each business class passenger, but then skimp on soft product, which is a small investment, by comparison.
There are so many areas where Qatar Airways beats the competition, from offering pajamas, to having dine on demand, to boasting an excellent alcohol selection, to streaming endless entertainment.
However, suffice it to say that introducing caviar is truly next level. Of course caviar is expensive at retail, though not all caviar is created equal, and airlines get a deal due to buying it in bulk quantity. But still, this is probably the single most expensive amenity any airline has introduced in business class up until this point.
I do have a couple of questions and observations, though:
- I find it interesting on which routes Qatar Airways is choosing to serve caviar; I imagine this reflects how “premium” these routes are considered to be by some internal metric, but it’s interesting how there’s caviar to Dallas and Houston, but not to Chicago or Miami, for example
- I’m curious how much caviar Qatar Airways will load per flight; since Qatar Airways has a huge dine on demand menu, there’s obviously not enough of each menu item for every passenger, so I wonder how quickly caviar will run out on flights
Regardless, I’m very impressed by this development. Qatar Airways sets the standard in business class, so it’s fun to see an airline just keep aiming higher.
Bottom line
As of August 15, 2024, Qatar Airways will begin serving caviar in business class on select routes. Specifically, you can expect caviar on 13 of the carrier’s most premium routes, and it will be served with typical accompaniments, plus balik-style salmon.
We’ve never seen a major airline consistently serve caviar in business class before, so it’s just yet another way that Qatar Airways is in a league of its own.
What do you make of Qatar Airways introducing caviar in business class?
Crazy that AKL was left out despite being their flagship route and fares are consistently ridiculous.
I bet the flight crew think it's wonderful having yet another task. Frankly I'd prefer no bells & whistles with the basics done well.
I was on Seattle to Doha Qatar flight last month, business class, and they actually served salmon and caviar.
So not sure if that was just a trial run or what.
I took pics https://www.instagram.com/p/C8n6M1ktPxC/?igsh=MTRmdDAydTczd25uMw==
I don't understand this obsession (esp. with some Americans) with caviar! Salty microspheres that's not even considered "real" food. *smh*
Great - another reason for vegetarians to avoid the product. Was it CX or SQ that had the chicken satay in biz with no alternative ? I forgot having shuttled to both capitals so many times over the years until I retired a decade ago.
I don’t get what people like about caviar! It just feels like a tacky gimmick. For those who are excited over it, I hope you enjoy it!
Like their variable seating - everything from the Qsuite to still some 777's with old 2x2x2 seating - another inconsistent enhancement.
How many long haul routes does QR fly? And how many routes will they offer this enhancement? WHY?? Either roll it out as an enhancement network wide on flights over X hours or just don't.
The ship has sailed post COVID concentrating on 'corporate' routes with airlines making most of their bucks in the...
Like their variable seating - everything from the Qsuite to still some 777's with old 2x2x2 seating - another inconsistent enhancement.
How many long haul routes does QR fly? And how many routes will they offer this enhancement? WHY?? Either roll it out as an enhancement network wide on flights over X hours or just don't.
The ship has sailed post COVID concentrating on 'corporate' routes with airlines making most of their bucks in the premium cabins now with leisure travellers. So I don't really read into the whole 'miami etc etc is a leisure market so not worthy'.
What about Tokyo, Frankfurt, Seoul? These certainly are not your lower yielding destinations.
I’ve had caviar on EK. It’s fun to show off to friends and family how fake-rich I am by taking photos of it, but honestly it’s not that great. Not terrible by any means, but like a glass of Dom, they’re just super luxury items that I can live without on a flight.
Probably targeting Gen Z influencers with this.
Delta has Biscoff. Delta is a much better airline, PERIOD.
i didn't post this. you should be ashamed of yourself for a) stealing my name and b) posting something much less funny than i was going to post. i am the original Dim Tunn as checking the IP logs can prove. please stop
*I* am Spartacus!!
Singapore Airlines will rush to launch a new line of instant noodles in Business Class to compete with this.
…and OMAAT will be the first to write about this…
Miami isnt that premium, at least for where QR flies. It's mostly just filled in the back with cruise workers going to/from homes in the Philippines/ Bali. Not sure who's up front. Chicago is similar. It's full of Indians going to the subcontinent. Dallas and Houston as well, but it also is full up front of high fare paid biz class energy industry workers. Chicago and Miami dont have that.
If I were to create an ad campaign for Qatar Airways, it will be called ‘Things you REALLY don’t need on a plane…’ and will end with ‘but you can’t do without’. Like dine on demand. And karak chai. Even doors with quad suites. And, above all, caviar. The most direct potshot at EK’s horrible business class ever.
Not only EK, SQ and its increasingly outdated J product has been losing a lot of...
If I were to create an ad campaign for Qatar Airways, it will be called ‘Things you REALLY don’t need on a plane…’ and will end with ‘but you can’t do without’. Like dine on demand. And karak chai. Even doors with quad suites. And, above all, caviar. The most direct potshot at EK’s horrible business class ever.
Not only EK, SQ and its increasingly outdated J product has been losing a lot of ground thanks to the maroon oryx airline simply adding more and more reasons to be boastful, arrogant and full of itself. The one question is whether QR will actually be able to offer a consistently World-beating J product across its fleet…
I never thought EK business class was all that great to begin with. It was mostly good marketing, just like the Nespresso and Lindt brands which are inferior products dressed up as the most premium through excellent and consistent marketing campaigns. Now with SQ, I do think there has been a drop in standards, noticeable in business and economy. Not a devastating drop, mind you (I still fly them without hesitation), but noticeable enough for...
I never thought EK business class was all that great to begin with. It was mostly good marketing, just like the Nespresso and Lindt brands which are inferior products dressed up as the most premium through excellent and consistent marketing campaigns. Now with SQ, I do think there has been a drop in standards, noticeable in business and economy. Not a devastating drop, mind you (I still fly them without hesitation), but noticeable enough for me to think about increasing both Etihad and Qatar even more into my usual mix of business class travel, which revolves around all three airlines.
Hey now...I consider the karak chai a necessity. You can take away everything else... I don't care. Leave my chai alone.
Caviar is not my top priority but it is impressive to see the continued investment. QR continues to invest and go further with their soft and hard product in a way that you don't see on EK for example. Yes, they should roll out Qsuites to more aircraft; also, 13 destinations is a sliver of their network. It's much more than EK is doing, though
@Dim Sum will say caviar is so un-premium because Detla doesn't feature it. Detla is the galaxy's most super premium airline, in case you've been living under a rock (or under Ed Bastian's bum) and didn't know this unimpeachable fact.
„13 most premium routes“, eh?
Out of 170 destinations (self-proclaimed on their website)
That’s less than 8% of the destinations get caviar service.
And for those which do, there’s already talk about how probably not everyone who wants it will get it, as they’ll run out just like with any other meal choices.
Very clever marketing move by QR.
We all fell for it and they are talk of the...
„13 most premium routes“, eh?
Out of 170 destinations (self-proclaimed on their website)
That’s less than 8% of the destinations get caviar service.
And for those which do, there’s already talk about how probably not everyone who wants it will get it, as they’ll run out just like with any other meal choices.
Very clever marketing move by QR.
We all fell for it and they are talk of the town at the moment with every other Travel Blog hyping this.
But I wouldn’t call it „consistent“…
I love black caviar and have shamelessly asked for seconds while flying first class (hey, doesn't hurt to ask). But ultimately, fancy drinks (champagne, wine, Queen of Blue Tea on JL, etc) can cost so much more. For example, I always stock a few of these tins in my freezer - and dare I say I have not had any "free" first class caviar that ever bested this on taste. $87 (+shipping) = at least...
I love black caviar and have shamelessly asked for seconds while flying first class (hey, doesn't hurt to ask). But ultimately, fancy drinks (champagne, wine, Queen of Blue Tea on JL, etc) can cost so much more. For example, I always stock a few of these tins in my freezer - and dare I say I have not had any "free" first class caviar that ever bested this on taste. $87 (+shipping) = at least 3 generous first class portions.
https://www.red-caviar.com/products/oc100grc/premium-quality-sturgeon-caviar-ossetra-100g-3-5oz-tin
I was going to hate on this at first, but it’s a great 2024-era marketing strategy. Most ppl think Emirates is the best out there. The suites + caviar images make every social media simp swoon.
Now those influencers can post a very similar photo, but for a product that’s much more attainable for their “gullible for rich ppl things like caviar” followers
If caviar, of any grade, is the tipping point for choosing an airline...
Caviar? Yawn. I'd prefer them to design the Q with more shoulder room, and provide better quality bedding.
The caviar most airlines serve in F is pretty bad. It’s always a hybrid that’s not very rich or creamy and is mostly just a gimmick to give the impression of luxury in F. I’d much rather get my beluga fix at a nice restaurant on the ground.
Exciting for some I'm sure, but for the record some of us (like myself) will continue to pass on the concealed cold salty fish essence, no matter how free or expensive it may be. Yuck.
For an airline that nickel and dime in business class. Sorry, unbundling.
A possibility.
Business class lite fares don't get no fish.
Similar to Air Canada, only cash business passengers get the premium lounge experience at Toronto.
@DenG
You can redeem a refundable business award on Aeroplan and get access to the Signature lounge.
I think this is a step in a GREAT direction for QR. I do wish they'd up their game on Champagne in J (Alexandra was wonderful, can we get that level every time please?!), and still wines in F (some are $15-20/bottle). But I suspect food enhancements will go further than drinkers like me! :-)
I agree 100% with you, the wine quality go down from 8 years (the time I become gold with QR). I remember well the difference.
Business class had Leoville Poyferre 2010 100 points Parker... now its the weakest vintages instead of second label or undrinkable champagne rosé from unknown producer in the Al Mourjan garden Lounge (I can't even finish the glasse they served me in April 2024).
Cool
As an ex-QR crew I would say I feel sorry for the crew. QR loves to promote and play big roll and then disappoint customers by loading the meal choice very less using the ratio percentage. While caviar will always be in high demand but then it will be only 1 or 2 passengers per zone getting this choice, and then the crew will have to apologize to the rest of passengers. It is a...
As an ex-QR crew I would say I feel sorry for the crew. QR loves to promote and play big roll and then disappoint customers by loading the meal choice very less using the ratio percentage. While caviar will always be in high demand but then it will be only 1 or 2 passengers per zone getting this choice, and then the crew will have to apologize to the rest of passengers. It is a nightmare for cabin crew to deal with this as QR will never be generous when it comes to catering ratio.
This makes a lot of sense. I've been lucky enough to fly QSuites multiple times, and the last 3 times this year, I didn't get my first choice of meals, on one flight I didn't get my first choice for ANY course ... and I was sitting in the second row as a OneWorld Emerald. Even the mezze plate was gone.
The only thing I thought of when I saw this was that I definitely wouldn't be getting any, despite the fact I love caviar!
As another ex QR crew, I reconfirm what Iynyn said, it’s not gonna be catered for all business class passengers, and it might come in less ratio, half or not even half, then the poor crew members will have to apologize to half of the cabin for unavailable of the caviar. And probably pax will still be upset. Ciaos coming at the corner.
Ask any frequent flyers in JC now, do they always get...
As another ex QR crew, I reconfirm what Iynyn said, it’s not gonna be catered for all business class passengers, and it might come in less ratio, half or not even half, then the poor crew members will have to apologize to half of the cabin for unavailable of the caviar. And probably pax will still be upset. Ciaos coming at the corner.
Ask any frequent flyers in JC now, do they always get their meal choice? I doubt it
Starter could have shortage, main course of course, and even dessert or cheese plate.
Now bomb, caviar!
Good luck to the crew members. I really feel bad for them, unless it’s 100% for all pax, which would never happen…
I totally understand your point , having flown business on QR several times and having paid FULL fare I have received my first choice once which is very disappointing, I’m sure the ratio to zone would be surprising to most but I’m sure it would not be any more than 1:5
You can order your main course before you fly. Then you know you get the meal you want.
Yep, my worry is that unless you are seated at the first row of a service zone, you’re not gonna get it. I do wonder if QR plats will get priority. I’ve been a plat for some years now and surprisingly I’ve never not had a single item ever run out on me. Also, anyone know how the zones breakdown on the 359/35Ks?
@lucky can you do a post pf zones on the qr long haul fleet? It would be useful to your readers to know which seats are the first in each zone so we can increase our chances of getting meal choices...
Yes, QR is a nickel and dime airline that plays fast and loose with aircraft changes and even in first they constantly dont have your preferred meal. I was on flight to Perth last month in first with 3 pax and still didnt get to order what i wanted (and im Platinum with QR)
I'm not concerned with caviar... but if true, then I'm VERY trilled with the message that this sends.
QR is by far my favorite longhaul airline, and with the new CEO reportedly interested in maintaining/expanding First, I was concerned that QR would begin losing the little soft-product touches that really made its Business class feel more like First (e.g. Dine On Demand).
Dont wanna spoil your mood, but the caviar won’t be 100% for everyone
That will be the next problem.
Adding salmon roe would be a winning move. I think it tastes significantly better than black caviar, and it's obviously a lot more reasonably priced. Probably won't get to try it myself as I don't really fly oneworld, and I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to support the state of Qatar, but it would be a great thing for other airlines to copy.
Since everyone seems to be reducing or eliminating first class this will be a good move by Qatar to shine above others with their business class product. I wouldn't be surprised if other foreign carriers with limited or no first class follow perhaps with a lower quality caviar than first class.
I wish we would see fewer of these speculative posts. If something is confirmed, write about it, not before.
The recent „maybe Southwest will make an important announcement“ was another example of this. In the end this „important announcement“ was that they were going to sponsor some boring conference.
It would be sufficient to write about the QR „dining enhancement“, when we know for sure, what it is…
One of the things I do, which might help you, is when I see a headline that's about something I don't care to read, I hold myself back from clicking on that headline and opening the piece.
That way I'm not exposed to any information that's not interesting to me, or else might be triggering, like speculation about a service change before an actual announcement of such a service change.
Like everything clickbait, you complain about Southwest and it's sponsorship.
But you actually remember what it was.
Clickbait 1 : 0 Bait
Let's face it, we live in a time of junk and fake. Worst, people actually profit off these junks. It's not about blocking it because it's impossible. It's about being able to tell the difference and separate good and junk.
People sure do get triggered by the slightest and most minor things. I loved the article. It’s great to know in advance what might be coming. Qatar wouldn’t have posted the teasers if this weren’t basically a done deal. They’re creating excitement. Good for them. Ben simply tapped into it. Good for him.
Exciting and unexpected! 99.9999% certain it's caviar! Now it just depends on quality, flights it will be served on etc. etc.
How is this "speculative"?
The article includes the official QR announcement and start date....
Though not officially caviar black lumpfish roe is increasingly used an alternative to the more expensive varieties, don’t really enjoy the stuff but the vodka is very welcome.
That stuff retails for under $5 a tin and you can really taste the difference. They would be crazy to offer that.
It will probably be a small tint of 10g to 30g per passenger, which they can probably get for 15 USD to 50 USD with high volumes. It's not that crazy. Not all passengers will take it.
If its dine on demand with unlimited helpings, someone who takes 5 rounds of this in a single flight can make a bigger dent in costs!
Ahahaha. Trust me, it won’t be some gram per passenger, it might not even be enough for half for the passengers…
Of course they could.
Initially, my guess is that only a third of passengers will eat it at all.
And some caviar is lower priced. But if they go with cheap stuff they needo tread lightly and avoid looking like they are trying to make an impression with junk. But if they tell me they are serving salmon caviar and serve a quality salmon caviar, I'd say that is a good step.
And salmon caviar...
Of course they could.
Initially, my guess is that only a third of passengers will eat it at all.
And some caviar is lower priced. But if they go with cheap stuff they needo tread lightly and avoid looking like they are trying to make an impression with junk. But if they tell me they are serving salmon caviar and serve a quality salmon caviar, I'd say that is a good step.
And salmon caviar can be had on the cheap:
https://www.great-alaska-seafood.com/Wild-Caviar-Salmon-Roe.htm?srsltid=AfmBOoqeVa5NUb3VLeAFqe9Xn25epB-wZyHRsGTzh26h3dn6fR90Sbw5WIM
Salmon ("red") caviar can be had for way cheaper. This brand is carried by Russian grocery stores across the US and you can order direct. For example:
https://www.red-caviar.com/products/rc907grc/gosudarev-zakaz-salmon-red-caviar-907g-2lbs-can
Unrelated but Gulf air axed their Geneva flights and my flight (Booked from Aeroplan) got cancelled.
Is it possible to get re-booked on another airline of theirs or do I just get my miles refunded?
Option 2: call them and ask. As you can see, here nobody cared about your question. Just like when you ask on facebook: hey London friends, anyone wanna grab a drink…. and 12 hours later… no reply :)
While we have seen improvement to the J hard product by many airlines (to a variable degree), the soft product has gone downhill in most cases over last decade. This would be a welcome trend against.
On the other hand, QR positions itself clearly more expensive than other J products and this could result in yet another price hike …
Do you know the difference between caviar and a bug mac?
Hasn't been my experience.
I chose them on my recent trips from LAX to both CAI and DEL, they were less expensive than SQ, TK, AF; and equal to what EK and BA were asking. Same from SFO, which I also checked as a backup.
I've never noticed them to be of an atypical price point at all.
I fully agree with this. Airlines have focused on seats, and during/post COVID they have realized that doing the bare minimum in service and food doesn't result in tons of people leaving. So they got lazy (and cheap).
This is a step in the right direction - for one of the J market leaders, for sure.
I know it's purely anecdotal but for LHR/BHX to Australia (both Mel and SYD) I've found it on approximate price parity with EK and close enough to CX to justify it. The only much cheaper 1 stop options have been Chinese airlines and air India so they're not that much more expensive, especially not on a key routing.