Are Qantas’ new first and business class seats really the best in the world as Alan Joyce claims?
The airline boasts its new suites will be the ‘best in the world’. Here’s how they stack up against rival airlines.
Qantas has laid down the gauntlet to other airlines, declaring its new business and first class suites the “best in the world” almost three years before they take to the skies in A350-1000s.
Airline chief Alan Joyce unveiled the David Caon-styled prototypes on Thursday, revealing a stand-alone bed in the first class suite and a privacy door in business class.
“We think they’re the best first and business class seats of any airline in the world and they’re certainly the most luxurious seats we’ve ever had on a Qantas aircraft,” Mr Joyce said.
It would be some time before the claim could be tested but airline experts pointed out similar first class products were already on offer on Singapore Airlines and Etihad, and a raft of carriers added doors to business suites some time ago.
Point Hacks managing editor Daniel Sciberras said the “bed and seat combo” was becoming the new normal for airlines that offered first class but Qantas’ new product looked “right up there”.
“It seems to me like the Singapore Airlines’ offering might be a bit bigger but it is on an A380,” Mr Sciberras said.
“Qantas has a bit less real estate with the A350.”
He said when it came to airlines the “best product” was always going to come down to individual preference.
“Nobody is going to be able to test out that claim (by Qantas) until 2025 and who knows what other airlines might come out with in the meantime,” said Mr Sciberras. “Qantas always tries to strike a balance between luxury and a more relaxed feel to reflect the Australian culture, and at first look the new seats follow along those lines.”
The 2022 World Airline Awards recognised Singapore Airlines as having the best first class offering, and Qatar Airways the best business class. Qantas was ranked 14th in the first class category and 7th in business.
Executive Traveller editor-in-chief David Flynn said competition for the best premium offerings was “hyper competitive” and most chief executives claimed their product was the best.
“It’s a literal Game of Thrones played out at 40,000-feet and every new seat amps up this arms race,” Mr Flynn said.
“There are several next-gen designs on the way from Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific as the long delayed Boeing 777-9 arrives from 2025, which could further raise the bar.” He said the challenge was every airline was working the same footprint, with “physical limits on how big each business class suite could be.
“So the X-factor is becoming design, especially a considered design which creates a seamless and almost joyful passenger experience,” said Mr Flynn.
America’s Delta Air Lines was considered the first carrier to include a door on its business class suites in 2016, a feature since adopted by Qatar, British Airways, Air France and Etihad.
Sliding doors in first class have been almost standard since 2007, led by Singapore Airlines, with the intention of providing their most valued customers with privacy from floor to ceiling.
Not everything airline bosses want for premium passengers is always delivered by aircraft manufacturers.
Emirates president Sir Tim Clark recently revealed he had asked Airbus for ensuite bathrooms with each first class suite but was turned down.