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Qatar Airways Unveils “Qsuite Next Gen” At Farnborough Airshow
The Airline also showcased its Boeing 787-9 aircraft and revealed four new luxurious Qatar Executive Gulfstream G700 jets.
On the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer revealed the latest “Qsuite Next Gen” alongside Sama – the world’s first AI cabin crew member.
During the announcement, Qsuite Next Gen’s new and enhanced features were showcased, including fully customizable Quad Suites, window aisle Companion Suites, 4K OLED in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens, plus increased space and privacy for each suite.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer announced: “We are excited to have finally revealed the long-awaited Qsuite Next Gen at the Farnborough International Airshow. Qatar Airways has once again raised the bar for its award-winning product, the Qsuite. We look forward to welcoming media and partners to our stand throughout the week to experience the future of business class travel with the World’s Best Business Class onboard the World’s Best Airline”.
Onboard rest and relaxation have also been enhanced with increased dining space, taller, digitally controlled dividers for improved privacy, and larger lie-flat beds. In addition, Qsuite Next Gen offers a huge array of customization options, including ambient lighting to privacy controls, along with upgraded touchscreen Passenger Control Units.
Qsuite Next Gen will first appear on the Qatar Airways Boeing B777-9. The new aircraft will be in service by 2025. Meanwhile, the Farnborough Airshow presentation also saw execs show off the current Boeing 787-9 aircraft with its Adient Ascent Business Class Suite, equipped with privacy doors, wireless device charging, and luxurious 79-inch lie-flat beds.
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While highlighting the various centerpieces of his airline’s stand, Engr. Al-Meer stated: “Qatar Airways is also showcasing its state-of-the-art Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner and Qatar Executive’s all-new Gulfstream G700. We continue to build on our promise of delivering unparalleled excellence in each and every iteration of our products and services. We welcome all visitors to experience the latest era of Qatar Airways at the prestigious Farnborough International Airshow this week”.
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Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
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The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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