Qatar Airways' new first class no longer guaranteed under new CEO

Qatar Airways' planned new first class is no longer a certainty, according to One Mile at a Time. Chief executive Hamad Ali Al-Khater, who took over in December 2025, has reportedly said the product is "under serious design" but will only be introduced if it is good enough. The change in tone affects premium passengers weighing Qatar Airways against Gulf rivals.

A third CEO, a third position

One Mile at a Time sets out how the airline's stance has shifted across three chief executives. Under longtime CEO Akbar Al Baker, who resigned in 2023, the plan was to drop first class, on the argument that the airline's business class already offered everything first class does.

His successor, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, took the opposite view. In a March 2024 CNBC interview, he said the airline wanted to combine commercial and private jet flying, and that the project was "70% to 80% ready", with only colours and small touches left to finalise. Al Meer was replaced by Al-Khater in December 2025.

Executive Traveller quotes Al-Khater as saying the airline would "only do it if we believe we have a first class that's worthwhile to talk about, and that will be appealing to our customers." One Mile at a Time reads this as a step back from the 2024 position. That is the outlet's interpretation rather than a statement from the airline.

Where first class stands today

According to One Mile at a Time, Qatar Airways currently offers long-haul first class on only two aircraft types. These are its Airbus A380s, which it had intended to retire during the pandemic but kept after a dispute with Airbus, and a few Boeing 777s acquired from Cathay Pacific with their existing cabins left in place. The airline also markets the front cabin on many regional flights as first class, though the seats are business class.

The airline has 60 Boeing 777-9s on order, which One Mile at a Time expects to become its flagship. Delivery of the 777X is described as late 2027 in the best case. The outlet says any first class would not appear on the first aircraft delivered, and may only feature on later batches, if at all.

Business class remains the focus

Qatar Airways is best known for its Qsuites business class. The new Qsuites Next Gen was originally due to debut on the 777X, but because of delays it will now be fitted to newly delivered A350s from mid-2027, according to the report. Rival Emirates has continued to lean heavily on first class, the outlet notes, while Cathay Pacific is reportedly planning a new first class for its own 777-9s.

What this means for travellers

• There is no confirmed date, design or launch aircraft for a new Qatar Airways first class, so it should not be factored into booking decisions.
• Existing first class remains available only on the A380s and a few ex-Cathay Pacific 777s, as described by One Mile at a Time.
• The earliest any new first class could appear is on later 777X deliveries, which themselves depend on Boeing's timeline.
• Travellers who prioritise business class can look to Qsuites Next Gen on new A350s from mid-2027.
• Those wanting a dedicated first class may wish to compare carriers, for example in our Qatar Airways vs Emirates and Cathay Pacific vs Qatar Airways guides.

Qatar Airways has not, in the sources available, given a firm decision either way.

Sources: One Mile at a Time, which also cites Executive Traveller and CNBC.