Qatar Airways unveils new 'QSuite' business class seats with 'party of four' seating

Qatar Airways has unveiled a new "revolutionary" business suite design that offers the world's first double bed in the class, as well as a face-to-face "party of four" configuration.

Announced at the ITB Berlin travel exhibition, the new "QSuite" seats have been teased by the airline for some time and come after two years of development.

Adjustable privacy panels and TV monitors allow passengers to create their own private space or create "rooms" with adjoining seats if travelling with colleagues, friends or family. The seats feature hand-stitched Italian leather and satin rose gold finishing.

Unveiling the new design, Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker, said it would allow passengers in the cabin "to enjoy a first class experience in business class".

Along with the new seat design, the airline is also introducing new food and beverage options and a revamped inflight entertainment system. The "dine on demand" service will now offer sharing plates to suit the new seatsallowing passengers to turn their inflight meals into social experiences.

The QSuites will be retrofitted onto the existing Qatar Airways fleet starting from June, at an estimated rate of one aircraft a month.

Qatar Airways is celebrating 20 years of operation in 2017 and recently took the title for he world's longest route, launching direct flights between Doha and Auckland. The airline was won the title for "World's best business class" at last year's Skytrax World Airline Awards.

The 17-hour slog will likely be a bit more enjoyable for those flying in the new QSuites once they are rolled out.

Business class has become a major battleground for airlines in recent yearsas they try to attract lucrative premium customers. Similar products to Qatar's QSuites have previously only been seen in first class. Double beds were a revolutionary feature of Singapore Airlines' first class suites on board the A380 superjumbo when first launched in 2007.