Qatar unveils new business-class, coach cabins for its latest Boeing 787s
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.
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.