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Qatar unveils new business-class, coach cabins for its latest Boeing 787s
Zach Griff
Senior reporter
Zach Griff is a senior reporter at TPG. He writes travel and product reviews, deep dives into loyalty programs, news about the airline industry and more.
June 24, 2021
•
3 min read
Qatar unveils new business-class, coach cabins for its latest Boeing 787s
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Qatar Airways continue to elevate the onboard passenger experience.
The latest development comes as the airline gears up to inaugurate its newest jet, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, into passenger service on Friday (June 25). Along with the new plane comes a new cabin, and this one looks swanky.
Though it's not the carrier's top-notch (and TPG Award-winning) Qsuite biz, the forward cabin on the new -9 Dreamliner is outfitted with a brand-new business-class product, dubbed the Adient Ascent seat.
Each row is configured in a 1-2-1 configuration, with 30 suites spread across the cabin. Each pod offers direct aisle access. Window seats are angled towards the window and fuselage, while the center seats are angled away from each other, providing extra privacy.
Plus, each pod has a sliding door, creating an enclosed suite, perfect for longer red-eye flights. If you're traveling as a couple, the privacy panels between the center seats can be lowered, easily creating a double bed, and larger relaxation space for you both.
Each seat converts into a 79-inch lie-flat bed and will feature Qatar's top-notch bedding.
Other enhancements to the new product include a dedicated phone holder, equipped with wireless charging technology compatible with both iOS and Android devices, similar to JetBlue's new Mint product.
Qatar will become the launch customer for the Adient Ascent seat, though Hawaiian Airlines has also announced plans to install this seat on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
Other than the 30 biz pods, the remainder of the jet is configured with 281 coach seats. Though the details are limited, the carrier tapped Recaro to produce the seats.
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Coach passengers can enjoy a 13-inch Panasonic inflight entertainment system, in addition to a personal device holder for both phones and larger tablets. Additionally, each armrest rotates to be completely stowed into the backrest, which, according to Qatar, provides "a more comfortable and spacious experience."
For now, the cabin pictures are limited to just one overview shot of the business-class cabin, so we'll have to wait until we get an opportunity to fly on the jet for a better sense of the changes to both biz and coach.
If you're looking to fly Qatar's new 787-9, you'll find it deployed on short- and medium-haul routes from Doha, to the following destinations:
- Athens (ATH)
- Barcelona (BCN)
- Dammam (DMM)
- Karachi (KHI)
- Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
- Madrid (MAD)
- Milan (MXP)
The Doha-based airline ordered 30 Boeing 787-9s, and started taking delivery of these planes at the end of 2019. They initially flew cargo flights for Qatar Airways, but now the carrier is shifting them to passenger service. It's possible that the airline will deploy 787-9s on additional routes as it takes delivery of more jets, but for now, only select passengers will enjoy the new cabins.
For everyone else, the carrier still offers its top-notch Qsuite product, which remains one of the world's top two business-class products.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.