Qatar Airways is set to embrace the luxury travel trend with the introduction of new first-class suites, which the airline claims will offer an experience akin to flying in a private jet.
These opulent spaces are expected to debut at the “end of 2026 or beginning of 2027” on Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777-9 aircraft, according to Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed al-Meer. During the Web Summit Qatar 2025 event, he also highlighted a new strategy for “technology and digitalization” aimed at enhancing the passenger experience, asserting that it will establish a new industry benchmark.
A significant aspect of this approach involves utilizing artificial intelligence to optimize inflight catering, ensuring that preferred meals are available based on demand patterns across various routes and seasons.
Reviving First Class
The Boeing 777-9 will serve as the platform for this AI innovation, along with the new first-class suites and the next-generation Qsuite 2 business class. This marks a shift for Qatar Airways, which had previously believed that its acclaimed business class Qsuites would diminish the need for a first-class offering due to historically low demand.
In 2021, then-CEO Akbar Al Baker explained that the economics of first class were challenging, given its low occupancy rates, which typically ranged from 55-60%. He questioned the necessity of investing in first-class seats when the Qsuites offered similar amenities.
However, in 2022, Al Baker acknowledged a specific demand for first class on certain premium routes, particularly to a few European destinations like London and Paris. He indicated that a limited number of 777-9s would feature a small first-class cabin designed for local passengers seeking an exclusive experience.
Al-Meer is now pursuing these plans and has admitted there has been a historical reluctance to embrace a first-class cabin. He noted, “based on demands for certain sectors… there will always be very high demand for first class.”
The new first-class cabin will be a distinctive offering, with Al-Meer suggesting that it will draw from Qatar Executive’s private jet experience. He believes this background positions the airline uniquely to create a top-tier first-class experience.
The design of the luxurious suites is reported to be “70-80%” complete as of mid-2024, with final touches such as color selection underway. While Al Baker had suggested a layout featuring a single row of four suites, there’s potential for Al-Meer to consider alternative configurations, perhaps akin to those used by Lufthansa and Qantas, which includes a larger middle suite that can accommodate two people or provide additional space for solo travelers.
To further distinguish the first class from business class, each suite might come with separate lounge and sleeping areas, enhancing comfort rather than serving as a compromise between the two experiences. This design principle has previously been implemented by airlines like Etihad and Singapore Airlines for their A380 first-class accommodations, although it is less common on smaller twin-engine jets.
Delivery Schedule for the 777-9
As for the 777-9 delivery timeline, Boeing has officially confirmed that Lufthansa will be the first airline to receive the aircraft, as it was the first to place an order back in September 2013, originally expecting delivery in 2020. However, Boeing now indicates that deliveries will commence in 2026, without specifying exact dates.
Emirates follows closely in the delivery queue, having ordered a substantial number of planes across the 777X family but now facing delays that could push their deliveries back to late 2027 or even 2028. Given that Qatar Airways has ordered 60 of the 777-9s, Al-Meer’s prediction of first deliveries being completed by “end of 2026 or beginning of 2027” may be optimistic.
