Rivals set to replicate Qatar Airways all business class flight

Qatar Airways' plan to fly a daily all business class aircraft between Doha and London is food for thought for its Gulf rivals.

Silverjet stopped business-class only service in 2008 after failing to get an emergency loan to cover for spiraling fuel prices. Luke MacGregor / Reuters

Qatar Airways' plan to operate a daily all-business class flight between Doha and London from May could set a trend for other Arabian Gulf carriers to follow, analysts say.

“Qatar Airways has tapped into a unique niche here. It has very strong demand out of London,” said Saj Ahmad, the chief analyst at StrategicAero Research.

"I can definitely see this being a big success and will certainly give Emirates and Etihad food for thought," he added.

Qatar Airways, which said that the new service would be the first in the Middle East, is scheduled to start from May 15. A single-aisle Airbus A319 with 40 seats will be dedicated for the flight.

As it stands, Qatar Airways operates five daily flights to London Heathrow. The business class only flight will be its sixth.

“The Doha-London Heathrow route is one of Qatar Airways’ most popular international routes and it was only fitting that we introduce an all-business class service on this key route,” said the Qatar Airways chief executive, Akbar Al Baker.

“Customers will also be able to benefit from our new premium lounge in London Heathrow’s Terminal Four, and of course the premium terminal in Doha,” Mr Al Baker added.

The planned service resonates with the British all-business class airline Silverjet, which flew from London to Dubai, but suspended its operations in 2008.

However, analysts say that the all-business class model is more likely to succeed for Qatar Airways.

“The reason why this differs from Silverjet is because Qatar Airways [has] better financial clout, and is operating to its home hub in Doha,” said Mr Ahmad.

“Silverjet was slaughtered in Dubai because of Emirates [Airline] and high fuel costs and an abject long-term plan. Qatar Airways can’t be compared to such a failed entity,” he added.

Qatar Airways operates 129 aircraft and flies to 134 destinations.

Its aggressive growth plans include flying to eight new destinations this year. The Arabian Gulf carrier bought 60 new airplanes at the Dubai Airshow in November.

Etihad was not immediately available for comment. An Emirates Airline spokeswoman said, “We have no such plans.”