It’s all about perspective: Five Things Qatar Airways Can Learn from the Industry – and Five Things the Industry Can Learn from Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways is highly regarded for luxury and premium service, yet it faces challenges amid evolving industry standards. While excelling in amenities and personalized service, the airline could enhance its culinary offerings, uniform presentation, entertainment systems, cabin consistency, and cultural identity. Conversely, other airlines might learn from Qatar’s seamless integration, brand cohesion, and customizable dining experiences.

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Qatar Airways to update QSuites with ‘Next Gen’ product for 777-9 Aircraft

Ever since Qatar Airways launched its impressive business class product QSuite a decade ago, most airlines have tried to up their own ante to compete with this incredibly competitive Business Class seat. Not to be outdone, Qatar Airways has just revealed an update to the QSuite which will feature on the airlines new 777-9 which…

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Qatar Airways reveals new 787-9 Business Class Suite, and as expected, it’s the new Ascent seat

Tomorrow, Qatar Airways will see the first flight by its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner passenger aircraft, featuring its much anticipated new Adient Aerospace ‘Ascent’ Business Class Suite. The aircraft will operate on a number of key routes to Europe and Asia, starting with its Doha to Milan service followed by Doha to Athens, Barcelona, Dammam,…

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Qatar Airways’ musical chair conundrum

Qatar Airways is seen as one of the ‘true’ Five Star airlines in the world and it has worked hard over the past decade to position itself as a true luxury carrier. At the heart of its recent efforts is the airline’s QSuite, a Flagship product that only a few carriers have managed to surpass…

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Qatar Airways is latest carrier to bring an exclusive scent to the skies

Qatar Airways has always ensured its soft product is one of the best in the skies, so there’s no surprise it’s now partnered with French maison parfumerie Diptyque as part of the airline’s offering for First Class and Business Class passengers – both on board and in its premium lounges around the world. The airline…

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The need for space. Will airlines invest in social spaces once again?

Even non-aviation enthusiasts may have noticed that the skies look a little different today. As we head into another year since the pandemic first decimated commercial aviation, the large behemoth A380s and Queens of the skies – the Boeing 747 – are a rare sight at airports nowadays. Replaced by more economic and smaller long-haul…

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Happy Chinese New Year, Qatar Airways style

In traditional Qatar Airways style, the airline doesn’t hold back when it comes to a celebration. In honour of the Chinese New Year, the airline has introduced an oriental inspired menu on board flights to popular Asia destinations between 11 and 12 February 2021. In Qatar Airways’ Doha Al Mourjan Business Lounge, passengers will also…

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Qatar Airways launches elegant new special livery to celebrate the World Cup in 2022

For the foreseeable future, we’re going to be seeing fewer special liveries while airlines try to save cash and focus on a service return, so those rare few that do roll out will certainly garner some attention now. Qatar Airways is one of the first in this period to reveal a special livery, and naturally,…

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From boutique carriers to beds, bars and onboard spas, the ME3’s need to evolve the landscape for its premium travellers

2020 has seen the rule book thrown out of the window. Carriers that have adapted quickly will see the largest market share in 2021. While many airlines continue to struggle just to survive day-to-day, some have taken this as an opportunity to level the playing field. While clear regional battles are at play across Asia,…

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Qatar Airways updates its Covid19 onboard product with more… measured measures

Qatar Airways has adapted its health and safety measures onboard by introducing new personal protective equipment for both customers and cabin crew, which increase the protection for passengers and bring the crew protection in line with (if not more than) other global airlines. The airline’s latest measures include offering face shields (rather than masks) and…

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Airline cabins and hotels that are giving us wanderlust right now

While the team are doing their bit to help fight this pandemic and staying indoors, it’s also making us a little stir crazy as our wings have been clipped, at least for the coming weeks or months. Like many others out there, we’ve been finding ourselves going through our archives, going online and longing for…

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Qatar Airways opens new lounge in Singapore Changi Airport

Qatar Airways officially opened its new Premium Lounge at Singapore Changi Airport at Terminal 1, and wanted to show it some love, opening it on Valentines Day, this month.According to the airline, the new Singapore lounge “serves as the benchmark and blueprint for Qatar Airways’ future Premium Lounges worldwide,” however it features many of the…

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Qatar Airways draws attention to Breast Cancer Awareness Month once again with new limited edition amenities

Qatar Airways passengers travelling on the carrier’s long-haul flights in both First Class and Business Class are being presented once again with BRIC’s limited edition pink themed amenity kits during the month of October, marking the airline’s annual support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The exclusive amenity kits are kind to the planet too. Made…

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Qatar Airways Introduces New Dining Concept for Premium Cabins

Starting with flights to and from Europe, Qatar Airways is launching newly-designed tableware, in-flight dining menus, cutlery and chinaware to elevate their onboard experience for their premium passengers. The airline has followed a recent trend of celebrating regional specialities, and has put a greater focus on these within the menu. Qatar Airways has rolled out new…

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Qatar Airways Features Breast Cancer Awareness Limited Edition Amenity Kits

If you’ve travelled or are about to travel on Qatar Airways this month, you might find yourself handed a pink amenity kit. These special limited edition kits are now being offered to Qatar Airways’ First and Business Class passengers to mark the airline’s continuing support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Continuing on Qatar Airways existing…

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An Exclusive Look Inside Qatar Airways QSuite Product

In an exclusive media event at Heathrow yesterday, Qatar Airways showed off its Quite product on the only operating aircraft with the new seats. TheDesignAir was one of the very few media outlets allowed at this exclusive show around. Currently only available on the 777 aircraft, the QSuite – Qatar Airways’ latest business class product…

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Qatar Airways Launch Refreshed Range Of Amenity Kits

Qatar Airways has just extended its existing relationship with both BRIC’S and Nappa Dori for their long and medium-haul passengers. The relationship which started at the end of last year, has seen a new wave of limited-edition amenity kit designs take to the skies. BRIC’S limited edition luxury amenity kits come in a selection of four…

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The Shifting Landscape Of The ME3

Recently the ME3, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar have all garnered attention for their differing stances on their lucrative premium passengers. While Etihad has taken the stance of appealing to all classes especially economy, Emirates is going to try to lure First Class passengers with a new First Class cabin in November, and Qatar seeks to…

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Qatar Airways New Business Class Offers Innovation For Passengers, But Is It Revolutionary?

At ITB Yesterday, Qatar Airways proudly launched its much anticipated new Business Class product. It has certainly impressed the public with its claims to have the world’s first double bed in business class, new sharing plate concept, sliding doors for privacy and large communal area for families of four. Don’t get us wrong, we are…

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Qatar Airways Adds White Company Pyjamas In Wave Of Upgraded Amenities In Premium Cabins

The latest addition to a wave of updates to Qatar Airways, the carrier has launched newly-designed sleeper suits, bespoke for First Class passengers, individually styled for men and women. Designed by UK based The White Company, the men’s sleeper suit is designed in a charcoal grey marl, and the women’s in a contemporary, mid-grey, both are made…

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Emirates Introduces New Generation IFE That Is Best In Class

Emirates last week announced that all new 777-300ER and A380 deliveries will be outfitted with enhanced IFE screens and technology, allowing passengers to flick through a massive 4,300 hours of entertainment. That is virtually half a year non-stop of watching a TV, meaning it is practically impossible to watch the whole entertainment offering, even if…

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TheDesignAir Top 10 Liveries of 2015

This month we are turning our eyes to the outside of the aircraft. Usually bright and colorful, these calling cards fill international airports with a myriad of designs. A livery, if designed correctly, can convey the brand experience that takes place inside. Each year, our judges (including some new faces) sort through the best of the best to find out what is hitting the mark and ticking the right…

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Qatar Airways Showcase New A350 Interiors

Yesterday, Qatar Airways revealed the interiors of its new A350 (and the first commercial version in the world) to the press in Qatar. The aircraft didn’t disappoint showcasing the extra large wide body in all its glory, offering 3 x 3 x 3 seating in economy without compromise on space, a first for a single…

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Qatar Introduce A Host Of New Products

Qatar Business Class Over the past few weeks, Qatar Airways have announced a variety of new and upgraded products to add to their fleet. As their fleet has continued to grow, the airline has constantly invested into their onboard product, with such a variety of different aircraft, the business class product can vary dramatically, but…

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TheDesignAir’s Top 10 International Business Classes 2014

Our TheDesignAir Top 10 lists have undergone a revamp in 2014, and to aid transparency, our top 10 airlines will now have their rating out of 100 shown, as voted for and calculated by our judging panel. What is interesting for our Top 10 International business classes 2014 is the wide ranging percentage scores within the top…

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TRIP REPORT: Qatar Airways January 2014

Flight: QR004 Aircraft Type: 777-300ER Class: Business Class Route: LHR-DOH Date: January 2014 http://www.qatarairways.com Best for: Those looking for the best of the business classes, not in need of frills, but good onward connections and timetables. Most likely to sit next to: Local wealthy Qataris who do international business and onward connecting international businessmen. Business or pleasure: A decent sized screen, seat with…

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Qatar Airways To Introduce New All-Premium A319

Qatar Airways has announced the launch of a new daily all premium Business Class service from its hub in Doha to London Heathrow today. Mirroring the product currently run by British Airways from London City Airport. The new service will be the first of its kind in the Middle East, commencing from 15 May 2014,…

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TheDesignAir Top 10 Economy Classes Of 2013

We are pleased to announce our Top 10 economy classes for 2013. We have scoured the world for airlines that have really shown us something truly special. Whilst many airlines didn’t make the list, we’d like to state that generally over the past 12 months, we have seen airlines around the world innovate and renovate…

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REPORT: TheDesignAir Talks Exclusively To Bmi Regional’s Frank Mertens

As part of our plan to talk to some of the leaders in aviation branding, thedesignair.net take 5 minutes out of Frank Mertens’ busy schedule to talk about the immediate future of the UK’s much admired bmi regional airline.  Hi Frank, thanks for taking time to talk to us, firstly what is your background and…

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TheDesignAir Top 10 Airline’s Business Class 2013

So welcome to 2013, and business is booming (allegedly) so why not take a review of some of the best business classes available around the world right now. Whether it’s window shopping or a serious decision, our team of experts have scoured the world to find some of the most exclusive cabins available this year.…

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