The Airbus A350-1000 just had its first delivery earlier this year and is arguably the most comfortable plane in the world to fly. Qatar Airways was the launch customer, and their aircraft have 46 Qsuite business class seats and 281 Economy Class seats. Although I have not flown Qsuite, every single review of it that I have read marks it as the best business class product in the world, hard and soft product. Economy Class looks great as well. The airline currently has only two of these aircraft, with 35 yet to be delivered.
Currently, the plane only regularly flies to London (LHR). However, at the time of the inaugural delivery, CEO Akbar Al Baker promised that the plane would have regular service to the US East Coast soon as well.
Well, it’s finally happening.
Currently, Qatar operates two daily flights from the US to Doha: An A350-900 flight departing in the morning, and a 777-300er flight (with Qsuites) departing in the evening. According to The Points Guy, on October 28, the daily 777-300er flight (QR 701/702) from New York (JFK) to Doha (DOH) will be replaced by an A350-1000. This flight will be run daily, and will mark the first scheduled A350-1000 flight to New York.
Although the nicer cabin pressurization, lack of middle overhead bins (only in business), and newer plane overall will be nice for Business Class travelers, the real upgrades come in Economy Class. The 3-4-3 Economy Class cabin with 17-inch-wide seats will become a 3-3-3 configuration with extra seats as well as higher definition inflight entertainment screens.
Hopefully I’ll get the chance to fly this aircraft soon.
[Features Image of an A350-900 from Wikimedia Commons (Kiefer)]
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