Qatar Airways adding caviar to Business Class on 13 routes including Singapore

Former Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker once said that he didn’t believe in the need for First Class, because he considered Qatar’s Business Class cabin to be as good as First Class on other airlines.

I’ll let the historians debate the validity of that statement, suffice to say that Qatar has always seen its Business Class as a sort of Business Class+, even marketing the QSuite as “First in Business” back when it first launched.

You might roll your eyes at the puffery, but at least the airline is taking steps to live up to that billing, especially with the debut of its latest party trick: caviar in Business Class.

This fish eggy treat, once the exclusive preserve of the First Class cabin, will soon be served on 13 routes including Singapore.

Qatar Airways adding caviar to Business Class

From 15 August 2024, Qatar Airways will add caviar service to its Business Class menu, which can be had as a standalone option, or part of the onboard meal courses.

This is the first time I can think of an airline serving caviar in the Business Class cabin, though if memory serves I have had it as a garnish on some dishes (and a tiny portion at that) with EVA Air and STARLUX. 

As the world’s only 11-time winner of the Skytrax ‘World’s Best Business Class’ award, Qatar Airways takes pride in providing the best premium business class travel experience.

The introduction of caviar service, commonly available only in first class cabins, further elevates Qatar Airways’ award-winning business class experience. We are committed to continuously enhance our onboard services to elevate the industry’s standards and delight our passengers

-Qatar Airways SVP Product Development & Design

It remains to be seen how many portions Qatar Airways loads on these flights, and whether there’ll be enough for every passenger to have a serving, or whether it’s one of those things you’ll need to request as soon as you board. 

Qatar’s photos show the caviar being served with Balik salmon, dubbed “the best smoked salmon in the world”. The process involves curing the fish with salt and sugar, then cold-smoking for up to 12 hours to give a distinctive flavour and texture. Also shown are melba toast and the traditional accompaniments of crème fraiche, chives, egg yolks and whites, minced onion and lemon. 

For all you purists out there, Qatar Airways will be including a mother of pearl spoon as part of the service. This non-reactive material helps preserve the delicate flavour of caviar (unlike metal), and offers a smoother surface that won’t damage the delicate eggs. 

Which routes will caviar be served on?

Qatar Airways has announced that the following 13 routes to and from Doha will receive caviar in Business Class:

• Boston
• Dallas
• Hong Kong
• Houston
• London
• Los Angeles
• Melbourne
• New York
• Paris
• Sao Paulo
• Singapore
• Sydney
• Washington

It doesn’t matter which flight number you’re on, or whether your aircraft is equipped with Qsuites (in fact, the majority of these routes don’t get guaranteed Qsuites service). 

If you’re flying from Singapore, the good news is that Qsuites is guaranteed (barring any unforeseen aircraft swaps for technical reasons) on all three daily flights. 

Conclusion

Qatar Airways will be introducing caviar in Business Class on 13 routes from 15 August 2024, including Singapore to Doha. 

With their excellent Changi lounge, industry-leading Qsuites hard product, and other creature comforts like The White Company sleeper suites and Diptyque amenities kits, Qatar is certainly taking the fight to Singapore Airlines. If you don’t mind an additional stopover in Doha, or if you’re flying to a destination that SIA doesn’t have non-stop service to, then you could do far worse than to give Qatar a try. 

If you’re flying on Qatar in the next few weeks, do give us a review!