It sounds like Qatar Airways is no longer committed to introducing a new first class product. I guess this is what happens when you go through three CEOs in three years, as we’ve gone from “definitely no new first class,” to “definitely a new first class,” to “maybe a new first class.”
Qatar Airways’ premium focus has long been on business class
Qatar Airways is known for its world-class Qsuites business class, which is among the best in the world. So while Gulf rivals like Emirates have continued to lean heavily into offering first class, Qatar Airways has instead focused on business class. Currently, the airline only offers long haul first class on two aircraft types:
- 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.
However, there has long been talk of whether we could see Qatar Airways introduce first class on its upcoming Boeing 777Xs. The airline has 60 Boeing 777-9s on order, and this will eventually become Qatar Airways’ flagship aircraft.
The 777-9 is a big plane, so it gives airlines a lot of space to play with, so it’s not surprising that several airlines plan to introduce a revolutionary first class product on this plane.
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.
Qatar Airways goes back and forth on 777X first class
Akbar Al Baker was Qatar Airways’ longtime CEO, until 2023, when he suddenly resigned. 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.”
Of course I’d say that’s a bit of a stretch, as this came from the same guy who claimed there was no need for premium economy, because he thought economy on his airline was better than premium economy on other airlines.
Then in 2023, we saw Badr Mohammed Al Meer become Qatar Airways CEO. In March 2024, Al Meer had an interesting interview with CNBC, where he had a very different perspective on first class, claiming the airline was committed to maintaining the cabin, and even developing a new product that was more along the lines of a private jet experience:
“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.”
Unfortunately Al Meer’s tenure didn’t last long, and in December 2025, he was replaced by Hamad Ali Al‑Khater. Well, it seems that Al-Khater isn’t quite as committed to first class as Al Meer was.
Executive Traveller quotes him as saying that the carrier’s new first class is “under serious design,” but also cautioned that “we’d only do it if we believe we have a first class that’s worthwhile to talk about, and that will be appealing to our customers.”
Okay, so he’s not saying that first class isn’t happening, but he’s also saying that it’s far from a sure bet. We’ve gone from “only finalizing colors and small touches” a couple of years ago, to now saying “we’ll only do it if we believe we have a first class that’s worthwhile to talk about.” In other words, the design process is nowhere close to complete, and no progress has been made over the past couple of years.
One thing is for sure — if Qatar Airways does introduce first class on its upcoming Boeing 777Xs (which will be delivered in late 2027, best case scenario), it definitely won’t be on the first batch. That’s just not realistic in terms of timeline, so I’d expect it would only be the later batch of these planes that would get first class, if any do at all.
At least on the 777Xs we can look forward to the carrier’s new Qsuites Next Gen business class. That was initially supposed to debut on the 777X, but due to constant delays, it’ll now be installed on newly delivered A350s as of mid-2027.
Bottom line
Qatar Airways is going back and forth on introducing a new first class product. The airline has a huge batch of next generation Boeing 777Xs on order, and obviously the airline wants to decide on its new product standard.
Going back two CEOs, to Al Baker, the plan was for there to be no first class, with the argument being that business class is so good that first class wasn’t necessary. Then under the previous CEO, Al Meer, the plan was to absolutely introduce first class, and to really elevate the product, and make it private jet-like. Now under the current CEO, Al-Khater, things are uncertain.
Al-Khater claims a new first class is being designed, but also claims that it’ll only be introduced if it’s actually great. That seems like quite a step backwards from where we were two years ago, when just finishes and small touches were reportedly being decided on.
If Qatar Airways does introduce a new first class, it’ll only be on the later batches of the 777Xs. Well, I guess that assumes the 777X is actually delivered in this decade.
What do you make of Qatar Airways going back and forth on first class?
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