I recently decided to treat myself to flying Qatar Airways Business Class, and want to share a review of the experience with you. In this Qatar Business Class Review I will cover all my thoughts and opinions on what it was like to fly Business with Qatar Airways, including what the Qsuite is like!
I was lucky enough to have 4 flights that I upgraded to Business Class, one of which included the brand new Qsuite. So in this review, I cover both their “normal” business class, and the new Qatar Qsuite.
Hopefully this guide will help you determine whether it is worth it to upgrade to Business Class with Qatar.
Spoiler alert. They weren’t named the World’s Best Business Class in 2023 for nothing (by Skytrax).
I have previously written similar reviews for both Emirates Business Class and SAS Business Class.
Table of Contents
Qatar Business Class Review – Flights
For this review I flew Business Class with Qatar on the following flights:
- Oslo to Doha
- Doha to Colombo
- Colombo to Doha
- Doha to Oslo (Qsuite!)
As you can see, I flew business with Qatar to and from my amazing 10-day trip to Sri Lanka, and paid around 8000 kroner for the upgrade each way (790 USD for two flights).
The Oslo-Doha, flight was on a Boeing 787-8, and the Doha-Colombo (and back) were on an Airbus A330-200. The latter was operated by Oman Air, but I didn’t really notice this as it was a night flight and I slept the whole way.
Finally, the Qsuite flight from Doha to Oslo was on an A350-900.
I had such a great time flying Business Class with Qatar to Sri Lanka, and made sure to take loads of pictures and notes for this review.
The reason for this was that I wanted to get all my photos and childish excitement out of the way. I told myself after my business flight from Oslo to Doha that on the way back I wouldn’t be the girl taking photos and filming content (and looking like she never flies Business class).
Usually when I fly Business, I do feel like other business class passengers are staring at me as I am filming my content and busily taking notes on my phone for you guys.
But then I boarded my flight from Doha to Oslo 11 days later and realised that I would be flying in the Qatar Airways Qsuite! Obviously, I couldn’t miss out on a chance to review it!
Therefore, this Qatar Business Class review covers both the normal Qatar Business Class and their famous Qsuite.
My Review of Qatar Airways Business Class
I will start by simply saying that flying Qatar Business Class felt like what I imagine First Class to be like.
Each flight was an experience in and of itself, and I kind of wish they had lasted longer. I didn’t regret upgrading myself to Business Class one bit.
Read later: My comparison between Emirates and Qatar Business Class!
Cabin, seating and entertainment
The Qatar colour scheme is maroon and grey, and I really like the exclusive feel these colours give off. The seats in their “regular” business class are comfortable, and (obviously) can be reclined all the way to a full-size bed.
Each chair comes with a massage feature, which I have found to be quite common in Business Class seats (I didn’t think this was a thing before). On my flights in regular Qatar Business Class I found this feature to be a little weak, but still a lovely touch.
The configuration in the “old” Business Class cabin is 1-2-1, with each seat “angled” away from the aisle. The window seats are angled towards the windows, so you are sitting with your back slightly towards the aisle.
The middle seats are angled towards each other, which I can imagine is great if you are travelling with someone, but a little annoying if you are seated next to a stranger.
Luckily they have these little dividers coming up between the seats, but I can imagine you still catch a glimpse of your neighbour’s screen when moving.
The entertainment system on Qatar is great, and I spent some time before my flight looking up their catalog on their website. The system comes with an incredible touch screen device/remote. In my experience, these usually don’t work that well, and I prefer just using the touch screen ahead of me. But on my Qatar Business flights it worked almost like a smart phone.
Food and Service
As with Emirates, the Qatar cabin crew are a notch above the rest, giving you a First Class experience from the second you step onto the plane.
I was greeted by name, and a flight attendant made sure to introduce themselves to me personally very early on after finding my (large and comfy) seat.
Additionally, my wine glass was never empty for more than 45 seconds, which you know I love. All in all, I was given such attentive service for the entire flight, and it really elevated the experience.
Of course, there is a great wine list and an extensive menu (3 to 4-course meals, of course). This goes for the Qatar Business Class in general, both the old and the new Qsuites.
More details: Does Qatar Airways Serve Alcohol?
My favourite menu item is the Signature Arab Mezze (in the photo below), which I had as my starter on every single flight. It is so yummy, and consists of hummus, tabouleh, baba ghanoush and Arabic bread.
The toiletries include facial mist, moisturizer, lip balm, and of course the standard eye patch and socks. Qatar collaborated with Italian brands Monte Vibiano and Brics for this.
In addition to the toiletries, I was given a protective kit during my flights, as it was still during the pandemic. This consisted of a face mask, gloves, several small bags of hand sanitizer.
Qatar Qsuite Review
As mentioned, in this review of the Qsuite I will not only share what it was like to experience it, but also compare it to the standard Qatar Airways Business Class where applicable.
To summarise, my experience with the Qsuites Business Class was absolutely amazing, I loved the privacy of the suites, and felt so at home for the entire flight.
The Qsuite was launched in 2017, and has since become one of the best Business Class experiences in the world (winning several awards).
The video below is a great introduction to watch before diving into my review.
As you can see, the Qsuites are basically small rooms (or suites) that go around the entirety of your seat. You can open and close the door as you please, and enjoy the utmost privacy during your flight.
Seating and Configuration on the Qsuite
The seating with the Qsuites is also 1-2-1, and the seats face both ways (the first row faces backwards, the second row faces the flight direction, and so on).
If you want to ensure that you are facing the cockpit, opt for an even numbered row (at least on the A350-900). I was seated in seat 3K (window), facing the back of the plane for the first time – and only really noticed the direction I was seated during takeoff and landing.
You can also check Seatguru before you choose your seat, which is a great resource for getting the layout of a plane! I always use it when flying Business, to ensure I get the perfect seat for me.
There is no overhead storage in the middle of the cabin, which makes for a very spacious environment to move around in.
This is nice, but I believe it may be frustrating for travellers seated in the middle, as they have to use the overhead compartment over other passengers (seated by the window).
When you are seated, there is a video that shows you the functions of the Qsuite, which is quite helpful as there are many functions to enjoy.
The seats have adjustable armrests, and there is lots of flat space around you inside your little suite. This is in addition to the tray table. Personally, I love having so much flat space, for example to leave your phone to charge or other things you have brought onboard which you don’t want to keep overhead.
Finally, I have to point out the universal power outlet in the Qatar Qsuite. I was very happy about this, as my iPhone charger is a lightning charger, and not a USB. So on the flight from Oslo to Doha (in the regular Qatar Business Class), I wasn’t able to charge my phone. However, in the Qsuite, this was no problem.
Food and service
Of course, the food and service on the Qsuite flight was just as impeccable as on any other Qatar flight.
I enjoyed my favourite Mezze, and loved having an attentive staff making sure my wine glass was never empty and ensuring all my questions were answered.
You’d think that with the doors of the Qsuite closed, it isn’t possible for the crew to notice your needs, but they had a way of walking through the cabin whilst taking note of everything going in inside each suite that was nothing short of impressive.
So, 10 out of 10 stars to both the food and service in this Qatar Business Class review!
Qatar Regular Business Class vs Qsuite: Comparison
Now for the fun part! Trying to compare the new Qsuite with the old Business Class.
Of course, it is hard to find any negatives or “cons” when flying Business Class with an airline as prestigious as Qatar, but I have tried my best nonetheless.
I believe that for a review to be as good as possible, you should be able to find both positives and negatives and weigh them up against each other in order to give the reader the best impression of what to expect.
So, below I have tried to do just that!
As mentioned, it wasn’t easy to find any drawbacks to the Qsuite compared with the regular Business Class, but I did try.
For starters, I couldn’t find anywhere to stow my shoes in the Qsuite, whilst on the standard business class (at least on my flight from Oslo to Doha), there was a nifty little shoe drawer close to the floor next to my seat.
I always take of my shoes on long-haul flight, but often find that I have kicked them around during the journey, so having a specific place for them is something I consider a very welcome luxury.
In the Qsuite, I found no such thing (all though if you know of a secret compartment for shoes in the Qsuite, do leave a comment to correct me).
Another thing to mention, all though I don’t necessarily want to call it a “con”, is that there is no adjustable footrest to bring up on your seat in the Qsuite.
There is a permanent footrest under your screen, as with many Business Class seats (including both of the other Qatar Airways business class setups I have flown with), and you can adjust the position of your entire seat, to ensure you reach it.
This is in no way any less comfortable than in standard business class, but sometimes I like to rase my footrest just a little, so I can sit with my feet up or crossed over it.
My favourite thing about the Qsuite compared to standard business class is the privacy.
When closing the door to the suite, I felt like I was all alone on the plane (in a good way!), and could tap away on my computer and enjoy my red wine and Disney movie (a great Bordeaux and Luca) in peace.
This, to me, is the most important difference to the experience of flying regular Qatar Business Class versus the Qsuite.
Is Qatar Business Class worth it?
Qatar Business Class is a topic that sparks much debate among travelers. Some argue that the cost of upgrading is simply not worth it, while others believe it adds tremendous value to their journey. Ultimately, whether or not Qatar Business Class is worth it is a question that everyone needs to answer for themselves.
Speaking from personal experience, I can confidently say that it was 100% worth the cost of upgrading. The level of comfort, the impeccable service, and the luxurious amenities provided made the entire flying experience truly exceptional. I would gladly do it again in a heartbeat. However, it’s important to consider your own preferences, budget, and travel priorities before making a decision.
After all, what may be worth it for me might not be the case for someone else. So, if you have the means and the opportunity, I highly recommend giving Qatar Business Class a try. You might just find yourself embracing the extra comfort and indulgence it offers.
Review Summary
To summarise, I had an amazing experience flying Qatar Business Class, both with and without the Qsuite.
The staff were amazing, and I love the colour scheme and style of Qatar’s cabin. If you are considering purchasing or bidding for an upgrade on your next flight, do it.
My flight was scheduled to take 7 hours and 10 minutes, but as usual, it didn’t take quite that long. I believe our total flight time was around 6 hours and 45 minutes, all though I wish I could’ve spent more time in the Qsuite.
All in all, it was an amazing experience.
Thoughts? Comments? Leave them below! I’d love to hear from you!
