New business class fashion includes door, too bad ITA chose not to install it

The first airline to install the door on board a business class seat was Qatar: when it launched its Qsuite, the Oneworld alliance company decided to move away from the first-class cabin and continues to focus on this approach. Today Qsuite is not only the best business class in the world, But it is constantly evolving.

After Qatar, many other companies came and in the last 18 months between announcements and deployments we have seen a veritable invasion of business class with doors-a novelty that immediately makes old cabins that do not offer this option.

The novelty is now a regular presence even aboard smaller aircraft, such as the A321s used for intercontinental flights, and will soon be coming aboard FlyDubai's planes and beyond.

All doors are not the same

Before going into detail, I make a brief introduction. Every chair is different and every company has the power to customize different products. And then there are also those who custom make them from scratch.

The best, and tallest, is the Qsuite, of all the ones I have tried to date it is by far the tallest and gives the most privacy and greater feeling of exclusivity.

I haven't tried Air France's new business class yet, which is installed on the 777 and will also soon debut in aboard the A350s. The door, however, is present on board British Airways.

The British company is slowly moving away from the old (and terrifying) Club World and installing the beautiful new Club World Suite. Iberia has also begun renovating the cabin, which will be equipped with sliding doors. Today, however, more and more companies have chosen this type of configuration Delta One Suite is the American company's flagship product, as well as Lufthansa announced the new Allegris to debut next year. Also beautiful Virgin Atlantic's new biz, which debuted in late 2022.

The list of companies that have installed or will install in-flight doors is already very long. Besides the ones already mentioned, there are ANA, Etihad, Qantas, Air New Zealand. Certainly Emirates will amaze everyone with the arrival of the new A350 and, if it ever comes, 777x.

I like the doors

Do I choose to fly with one company over the other because of the doors? Definitely not. But if I have to fly with an airline that has a cabin configured this way I try to book on that machine rather than the other.

Talking to other passengers, there are those who appreciate it and those who would gladly do without it. It's a matter of taste and habits. There are those who might feel too cramped within the walls and those who appreciate the idea of being in a small personal sanctuary.

The evolution of armchairs since the early 2000s, when BA with its Club World gave the opportunity to turn the chair into a bed, it was amazing, and today the door is just the last step. And it won't be the last.

Because I like biz with doors

I wrote an article in which I explained my Perfect business class ticket configuration, and doors are number 4 on the list. The fact is that if a chair has a door it also has everything that is offered in the top positions: direct access to the aisle, personal space, and seating arrangements.

The point is that if I travel On a cabin that has the door installed I'm 100% sure I'm riding on board a modern product and top of the line. The door gives privacy and personal space, two of the most premium things you can have on board an aircraft.

Except for Qsuite, the other ports I have tried to date do not protect at 100%, but they are still a very good barrier, not only from the eyes of other passengers, but also from the light from screens or seats and even from noise.

The door is still a physical barrier, however, and in a world where we have just overcome a pandemic and imposed social distancing, it is a useful feature even for protective purposes.

ITA, new businesses do not have the door

Aboard the newly delivered A330/900neo I was hoping to see the door: I hoped so because the seat chosen by ITA Airways for the business class cabin is the same one found on Delta and Virgin Atlantic, two operators that have put the door in the new planes.

Similar, but different, discussion for the A350s that entered service last summer. In this case, ITA took them to the KM0 aircraft market and thus were already configured and will be renewed shortly.

There will be no door installation, only a change of leathers and colors. Too bad, because the Collins Super Diamond with the door, as a view of British Airways' Club World Suite Is really a nice product.

In conclusion

Booths with doors age, immediately, those that don't have them, just as when a new model of a car comes out, the previous one will look old, even if it still has few miles on it. In a world where appearance matters more and more, rather than substance, the door is that right bridge between these two trends.

I understand those who tell me "the door is useless," but I do not share their opinion, and I believe that after a couple of flights in a cabin with this option, even the most skeptical passenger will reconsider.