Qatar Airways to upgrade business class seats on A330-200 and A320

The upgrade will usher in new levels of comfort for Business Class passengers, who will now have seats that recline into a 180-degree lie-flat position. Modifications to seven A330-200 and nine A320 aircraft have already commenced, and are expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2014. 

“Qatar Airways is known for two key features – dynamic growth and a constant focus on top-quality service, where the customer is at the heart of everything we do,” said Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways chief executive officer. 

“I firmly believe in providing our passengers with the best levels of service and the best available in-flight product,” said Al Baker. “And to deliver our five-star service in a consistent way is probably our greatest achievement and has been the foundation of our success to date.” 

The seats also feature six-way adjustable headrests, four-way adjustable lumbar support, a variety of personal stowage compartments, privacy dividers and fresh contemporary styling. 

Business Class on both aircraft will feature new 15.4” smart monitors and touch screen remote controller handsets, which also allow dual screen mode. The seats also offer PC Power, USB ports and connectivity for smart devices. On A330 aircraft, the inflight entertainment system will be upgraded to the Panasonic eX2 platform, providing a richer entertainment experience with a greater amount of programming. 

The A330 aircraft will also be fitted with onboard connectivity, with the installation of the Panasonic Global Communications Suite. Both the A330 and A320 will also have the capability of sending and receiving SMS and MMS messages. 

On the A330 aircraft, Economy Class seating will also be upgraded to provide greater comfort and more personal space. The new seats will be fitted with new 10.6” monitors and handsets, upgrading the customer experience to Boeing 777 standards. 

The enhanced A320 aircraft will operate on the Vienna, Tunis, Milan, Rome, Geneva and Maldives routes while the upgraded A330s will operate on the Barcelona, Osaka, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Phuket routes.