Qatar Airways first class

Qatar Airways First Class is not a network-wide cabin. It exists on exactly two aircraft types: the Airbus A380-800, which carries eight First Class suites on the upper deck, and six ex-Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ERs that kept their original First Class interior. Everything else in Qatar's premium cabin is Qsuite business class. Airlaza's desk is on +1-888-890-4009, 24/7.

*Last reviewed August 2026.*

Where Qatar Airways First Class actually flies

This is the part that costs people money. Booking "Qatar Airways first class" on a route that has no First cabin is easy to do, because the airline's premium marketing is dominated by Qsuite — a business class product. First is A380 territory, plus a handful of Hong Kong rotations.

Qatar's A380 programme in 2026 has been unusually unstable. Simple Flying's schedule analysis records the entire fleet grounded through April and May, a return on 16 June rather than the planned 1 June, and roughly 920 scheduled A380 departures for 2026 against 1,620 in 2025 — a 43% cut. Routes were rebuilt in stages rather than all at once.

The stored aircraft matter too: eight A380s are active, two have been stored since 2020 (Simple Flying). Always confirm the operating aircraft on your specific date before assuming First is on board.

Inside the A380-800 First Class cabin

Qatar's A380 First cabin sits at the very front of the upper deck, ahead of business class — eight seats only, in two rows, arranged 1-2-1 so every passenger has direct aisle access. It is an open suite rather than a doored suite: privacy comes from shell height and the low cabin count, not from a closing door.

*Cabin figures from published seat-map databases and Simple Flying's A380 seat guides; Qatar's own fleet PDF is not machine-readable to us.*

Seats recline to a fully flat 180 degrees; bed length is reported at around 83 inches. Each suite has a 26-inch entertainment screen, the largest in the Qatar fleet. Onboard, First passengers get dine-on-demand service including Qatar's caviar course, Diptyque amenity kits and The White Company loungewear.

The six ex-Cathay Boeing 777-300ERs

The second First Class cabin in Qatar's fleet arrived by accident of fleet planning. Qatar took on former Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ERs and, rather than strip and retrofit them, kept the Cathay interiors intact — including a genuine First Class cabin. Six frames carry it.

That cabin is completely different from the A380's. It is a 1-1-1 layout with six suites, each around 36 inches wide, with an ottoman that doubles as a companion seat for dining — Cathay's long-standing First design, now flying in Qatar colours. Business Traveller has reviewed it on the Doha–Hong Kong sector.

The confirmed deployment is Doha–Hong Kong, where these aircraft have operated the daily services for roughly two years and remain scheduled. Qatar has not published a timetable for retrofitting them into the standard Qsuite interior, so for now they continue with their inherited cabins. Because they are not the airline's standard configuration, treat any other route as unconfirmed until the seat map shows a First cabin.

Qsuite is business class, not First Class

Qsuite is the reason most searches for Qatar First Class end up in the wrong cabin. It is an outstanding product — quad configurations, centre suites that combine into a double bed, closing doors — and it is filed, priced and ticketed as business class. Qsuite is on every A350-1000, on around forty 777-300ERs and most 777-200LRs. It is not on the A380 at all.

So the honest answer to "should I book First or Qsuite" is that on most of Qatar's network the choice does not exist. Where it does — London, Bangkok, Paris, Singapore, Sydney, Hong Kong — you are choosing between a doored business suite and an open First suite with an eight-passenger cabin and Al Safwa access.

Al Safwa First Lounge and the onboard lounge

Al Safwa is the ground half of the First Class product and, for many passengers connecting through Doha, the better half: à la carte dining, private rest rooms, shower suites and a spa, open 24 hours a day. It is not a Qsuite lounge.

*Access conditions as reported by AwardWallet, Upgraded Points and Head for Points from their own visits. When the lounge is full, Qatar restricts entry to its own First passengers and Platinum members in Business — paid entry is the first thing withdrawn.*

In the air, the A380 has a separate draw: a genuine onboard lounge and bar on the upper deck, shared between First and Business. It is one of only a handful of full onboard bars still flying, and it is a reason the A380 keeps a following even as Qatar shrinks its schedule.

What Qatar Airways First Class costs

Qatar does not publish a First Class price list, and no honest page can give you a fixed number — the fare moves with route, season, how far ahead you book and how much inventory is left in eight seats. What can be given is the observed range, and Simple Flying published one for 2026.

*Figures reported by Simple Flying, August 2026, not a Qatar Airways published tariff.*

Two things move that number more than anything else. First, an eight-seat cabin sells out early — First inventory on a popular date can be gone months ahead, while Qsuite on the same flight is wide open. Second, a First fare bought as part of a through-ticket via Doha frequently prices better than two separate segments. Ask Airlaza for both priced side by side in writing: +1-888-890-4009.

Baggage, check-in and ground service

First Class allowances are the most generous Qatar publishes, and they change shape depending on where you fly. Routes to and from the Americas and Africa use a piece concept; the rest of the network uses total weight.

At Hamad International, First Class passengers use dedicated check-in, and the aim is a short walk from desk to Al Safwa. At outstations the ground product varies with the airport — some stations give Qatar its own premium check-in area, others share a oneworld or handling-agent facility. If the ground experience matters to you on a particular departure city, ask before booking rather than after.

Fare rules, Avios and Qpoints on a First Class ticket

A First Class ticket is not automatically a flexible ticket. Qatar files First fares in more than one bucket, and the change and refund rules sit with the fare, not the cabin — the same logic that produces its business fare families, where Privilege Club accrual runs from 75% of miles flown on Business Lite to 200% on Business Elite for the identical Qsuite seat.

For First, loyalty analysts at AwardFares report accrual at 300% of distance flown, against 150% for business — a secondary source rather than a Qatar-published table, so treat it as an indication and confirm on your own fare.

Two rules are worth knowing before you pay. Refund validity on a Qatar ticket is twelve months from issue on a fully unused ticket, or twelve months from the first flown sector on a partly used one. And if Qatar involuntarily downgrades you out of First on a ticket covered by US Department of Transportation rules, a refund of the fare difference is owed — the cabin you were sold is what you paid for.

The new First Class on the Boeing 777-9

Qatar has confirmed that First Class is being rebuilt rather than retired. Group CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer, speaking at Web Summit Qatar 2025, put the new First Class suites on the Boeing 777-9 at end of 2026 or beginning of 2027, with the cabin described as just four seats.

He was also unusually blunt about scope: it will not be network-wide, because he expects demand for First only on certain sectors — Doha to London and Paris, possibly New York, and perhaps one or two more. That is a smaller First footprint than the A380 offers today, concentrated on the routes that can support it.

Two practical implications. The A380's remaining years now have a visible end point, so if the A380 First cabin and its onboard bar are on your list, the window is finite. And any 2027 First Class booking depends on 777-9 delivery timing, which has slipped repeatedly across the industry. Book what is flying, not what is announced.

Frequently asked questions

Does Qatar Airways still have First Class in 2026?

Yes, but only on two aircraft types. The Airbus A380-800 carries eight First Class suites on its upper deck, and six ex-Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ERs kept their original First cabin. Every other Qatar Airways aircraft tops out at Qsuite business class, however premium the marketing sounds.

Which Qatar Airways routes have First Class?

A380 routes only, plus Doha–Hong Kong on the ex-Cathay 777s. Through 2026 the A380 served London Heathrow and Bangkok from mid-June, with Paris, Singapore and Sydney rejoining from mid-September. The schedule has been revised several times this year, so confirm the aircraft for your exact date.

Is Qsuite First Class on Qatar Airways?

No. Qsuite is Qatar's business class, sold, ticketed and priced as business, despite having closing doors that many airlines' First cabins lack. It flies on every A350-1000 and many 777s. The A380 has no Qsuite at all — it uses an open Super Diamond business seat below its First cabin.

How many First Class seats does the Qatar A380-800 have?

Eight, in two rows at the front of the upper deck, arranged 1-2-1 so everyone has direct aisle access. Published seat-map data gives 90 inches of pitch and 23 inches of width, with a 180-degree flat bed and a 26-inch screen. Total aircraft capacity is 517 seats.

How much is a Qatar Airways First Class ticket?

There is no published tariff. Simple Flying reported 2026 fares from around US$4,500 one way on London–Doha, roughly US$6,000–9,000 return on that route, and US$10,000–15,000 return for Sydney–London via Doha. Peak or last-minute First can exceed US$20,000 return. Airlaza quotes in writing.

Does Qatar Airways First Class include Al Safwa lounge access?

Yes. Al Safwa First Lounge at Hamad International is open to Qatar Airways First Class passengers, oneworld First passengers, and Privilege Club Platinum members flying Qatar Airways Business. It runs 24 hours, offers à la carte dining, shower suites and a spa, and visits are capped at around six hours.

What is the Qatar Airways First Class baggage allowance?

On weight-concept routes, 50 kg of checked baggage. On flights to and from the Americas and Africa, Qatar switches to a piece concept of two bags at 32 kg each. Hand baggage in First is two pieces totalling 15 kg, each within 50 × 37 × 25 cm.

Does the Qatar Airways A380 have an onboard lounge?

Yes. The A380 upper deck has a full onboard lounge and bar behind the business cabin, shared by First and Business passengers. It is one of very few genuine onboard bars still operating, and it is a large part of why the aircraft retains a following despite Qatar's schedule cuts.

What happens if Qatar Airways downgrades me from First Class?

You are owed money, not an apology. On tickets covered by US Department of Transportation rules, an involuntary downgrade obliges the airline to refund the fare difference between the cabin sold and the cabin flown. Equipment swaps off the A380 are the usual cause, so check the aircraft before departure.

When is Qatar Airways launching its new First Class?

Group CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer said at Web Summit Qatar 2025 that new First Class suites will arrive on the Boeing 777-9 at the end of 2026 or beginning of 2027, in a four-seat cabin. He also said it will run on selected sectors only, not network-wide.