Qatar Airways to launch super business class, curtail first class

Qatar Airways is perked up for the Airbus A380 maiden voyage on October 10. Meanwhile, QA has plans to fortify business class and do away with first class on all airbuses except the superjumbo jet A380 class.

Amongst the rebranding mania in airlines, Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways are adding features for better comfort. Emirates offers shower spa, mini bar and a private suite while Etihad has gone a step ahead with the Residence consisting of three room suite, en-suite washroom, butler, personal chef and a lot more.

However, Qatar Airways has caught a substantial revolution bug and is planning to offer first class services in business class as stated by CEO, Akbar Al Baker. He also stated that only 40 percent of the first class seats are occupied on an average wherein more than 50 % of the passengers are frequent flyers.

This big move to redesign business class into a ‘super business class’ is a way to liquidate exotic expenditure for a small chunk of first class travelers. Qatar Airways aircrafts in future will only have business and economy classes except for the A380. Through this strategy, he plans to cater to the high demand of first class traveling originating from his country and also eschew the extravagance of amenities offered to the first class.

Qatar Airways will add four A380s by end of the year. The super jumbo jets accommodating 517 passengers in the QA configuration have eight seats for the first class on the upper deck. Qatar Airways is also warding off the craze of offering premium economy seats priced lower than business class.