Among airline aficionados, Qatar Qsuite has long been touted as the best Business Class product in the world. To many avid point hackers, Qsuite is seen as the reward seat holy grail. And with Qatar taking out best Business Class in the 2022 Skytrax Awards, this collective hunch became official.
First introduced in June 2017, Qsuite rocketed Qatar’s Business Class product into the realm of many airlines’ First Class. Sliding privacy doors, on-demand dining, double beds and the ability to convert middle seats into quad configurations were game-changers in the world of Business Class travel.
So it may come as no surprise that I’ve been itching to fly Qsuite since I joined the Point Hacks crew almost two years ago. Fortunately, on my work trip to exotic Marrakech, this dream became a reality.
I fly Qsuite on the Boeing 777 for 14.5 hours between Melbourne and Doha – the first flight of my 3-leg Business Class journey to Marrakech – and it’s no exaggeration to say my experience is nearly faultless. From the service to the dining to the spacious Suite with that fabled privacy door, every element is perfectly considered.
Without further ado, here’s what it’s like to fly the world’s best Business Class.
Check-in, lounge and boarding
I have a 10:40 pm departure from Melbourne, but I arrive at the airport early brimming with excitement. En route to the Business Class priority check-in lane, I glide past the unfortunate Economy queue – already heaving with four hours still to go. My check-in is fast and smooth, and before I know it my bag’s tagged and I’m on my way to security.
After enjoying a quick pass of Duty Free, I head towards signs to the Marhaba Lounge. The lounge is tantalisingly close to the far superior Qantas First Lounge – near Gates 9 and 11. But unfortunately that’s where the similarities end.
I may as well come out and say it: the Marhaba Lounge is a lacklustre introduction to the luxury of Qsuite. Qatar uses partner lounges in Australia, so if you’re expecting the likes of the sublime Qatar Al Mourjan Business Lounge in Doha, you’ll be sorely disappointed.
In Melbourne, Qatar Business Class passengers can also access the rather tired Qantas International Business Lounge thanks to the oneworld Alliance. If you’ve reached the lofty heights of Qantas Platinum status, skip both lounges and head straight to the Qantas First Lounge. Please, I insist.
But back to the Marhaba Lounge. There’s ample seating, decent design and views of the tarmac from the expansive windows. While the beverage selection is passable, it’s in the food department that the lounge really fails. The cold buffet is subpar. However, I’m mildly shocked by the uninspired hot buffet. I’ll let my pictures speak for themselves.
Wishing I’d abstained from eating and saved myself for Qatar’s multi-course menu, I head to the gate. I’m that person – standing eagerly at the front of the Business Class queue, bristling with anticipation. I’m first on board, and it’s here that the pleasures start.
Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Qsuite Business Class seating
On board, I take a moment to savour the Qsuite Business cabin, with its signature burgundy and rose gold accents. My crew member leads me to Suite 1K at the very front. Every Qsuite features a sliding privacy door, a do not disturb button, a generous touchscreen and a 21.5-inch-wide seat that converts into a 79-inch fully-flat bed. So unless you clock in at a statuesque 6 foot 5, your tootsies will have room to spare.
But before I dive into the details of Suite 1K, let’s talk seat configuration.
Seat configuration
Currently, Qatar features Qsuite on most A350s and 777s. Before booking, I’d suggest researching whether your plane has the Qsuite fit-out. It’s not that Qatar’s earlier Business Class products are poor. In fact, they’re more than comfortable. It’s just that Qsuite is so much better.
On the 777, you’ll find the Business Class cabin located in the front two sections of the plane, occupying Rows 1-6 up front and Rows 7-11 behind the bathrooms. The suites are configured in a staggered 1-2-1 layout. But it’s not as simple as that.
Here’s a breakdown of the different seat types available in Qsuite on the 777:
- Rows with seats A & K: These window seats are rear-facing and located away from the aisle. But unlike some other airlines where you’ll find yourself awkwardly facing your neighbour, these Suites are completely private. As an added bonus, seats on the bulkhead have an extra window.
- Rows with seats B & J: These forward-facing Suites feature two windows and the same fully-enclosed privacy that makes travelling in Qsuite such a pleasure. Given the staggered layout, they’re located closer to the aisle.
- Rows with seats E & F: Travelling as a couple? Then you’ll want to select rear-facing middle seats E and F, which transform into Qsuite’s rightly famous double bed. They’re located close together and can be configured into a quad setup that’s perfect for families, colleagues or friends looking to socialise, work or dine together.
- Rows with D & G: These seats face forwards and are configured next to the aisle, separated by a divider. Again, these middle seats can be converted into Qsuite’s unique quad configuration.
Suite 1K: an excellent choice
But back to my Suite choice: 1K. Although it’s rear-facing and located on the bulkhead, I’d argue it (and Suite 1A) are the best window seats in the house. First – and most importantly – Suites 1K and 1A have three windows. Three! And because the Suites are fully enclosed with a 135cm-high sliding privacy door, I don’t hear a whisper of noise from the galley. I hardly even notice that I’m facing backwards.
On the side console, a media panel contains an embarrassment of seat position buttons, an entertainment remote and a power port with USB and HDMI capabilities.
And when I’m ready to sleep? While I change into the provided The White Company pyjamas, my crew member converts my seat into a fully-flat bed. I return from the bathroom to a heartening sight: lilac mood lighting, a sizeable pillow (none of this teeny pillow nonsense airlines are so fond of) and a plush duvet secured by a fastened seatbelt. I sleep for a solid eight hours.
Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Qsuite Business Class food and beverage
Dining
Let’s get one thing straight: Qatar’s on-demand Business Class dining proves that you absolutely can have an excellent restaurant-quality meal at 40,000 feet. I’d warrant those who claim otherwise simply haven’t flown Qsuite.
Upon boarding, you’ll find a separate dining and drinks menu on your side console. Featuring both international and Arabic dishes, the multi-course à la carte menu is a thrill in itself. A choice of artisan breads, soup, appetisers, mains, cheese plate and desserts tempt in equal measure.
First, I indulge in a late dinner. Banish thoughts of a single meal tray served on a bare tray table. In Qsuite, your crew member dresses your large table with a starched white tablecloth, LED candle, quality cutlery and metal salt and pepper grinders. There’s nothing worse than battling tiny paper sachets to season your meal, so I’m especially impressed by this final touch.
To kick things off, a basket of warm bread with a pat of salted butter. I’m delighted to be served an off-menu amuse bouche – a classic inclusion of many fine-dining restaurants. The tuna tartare with its moat of herb-infused oil is startlingly fresh. Next up a swoon-worthy soup: sweet potato, coconut and ginger. The velvety texture and subtly spiced flavour sing in absolute harmony. I’m an ex-restaurant critic, so this stuff matters to me.
The hits continue. My Arabic mezze plate is delicious, with three zesty dips served alongside warm pita bread. The only letdown is the baked West Australian crayfish main, which is overcooked. I finish up with a bowl of berries for dessert, the perfect conclusion to a near-perfect meal.
After a sound sleep, I savour breakfast. A fruit plate gets my digestive juices flowing, followed by the warming coconut porridge with mango and chia seeds. I’ve cheekily ordered a second main – the cheese-filled omelette with chicken sausage. But my crew member doesn’t bat an eye.
Overall, I’d rate Qsuite’ dining offering nine out of 10. That’s a rare feat in the restaurant world – let alone at 40,000 feet.
Beverages
The beverages aboard Qatar Qsuite warrant their own section. First up, I’m offered a glass of Champagne before take-off. In fact, I’m offered a choice of two! I’ve loved Charles Heidsieck Champagne since tasting it at the Palais Garnier in Paris many years ago. But I find it difficult to go past a rosé – especially the Prestige Rosé by Taittinger. This lively, berry-heavy Champagne sings of cherries and red fruits. I’m transported to the Champagne House in Reims, which my husband and I visited on our honeymoon. Delicious memories.
In the rest of the beverage menu, you’ll find a great selection of cocktails and mocktails, spirits, soft drinks, juices, teas and coffee, plus three white and three red wines, a Hungarian dessert wine and a 20-year-old Tokay port. The buttery Californian chardonnay by J Vineyards is exactly the style of unfashionable Old World chardonnay that floats my boat.
Unfortunately, I’m too busy imbibing to order Qatar’s signature lemon mint drink. I taste it for the first time in the lounge in Doha, and its legendary zest and nourishment live up to the hype. Pro tip: order it at least once during your flight.
On the coffee front, I sip a latte as the sun rises. I’ve actually ordered a piccolo latte, but the ‘piccolo’ is lost in translation. My latte is smooth with a good crema, though it’s too milky for my taste. When I pass this feedback on to my crew member, she looks crestfallen. And that’s another impressive thing about Qsuite: the cabin crew are deeply invested in you having a great experience. Kudos for caring.
Really, the only annoyance in the beverage department is the ridged purple water glasses. The design is cool enough, but every time we experience turbulence the ridges fill with water, which promptly spills all over you on your next sip. Other than that, drinking aboard Qatar Qsuite is a pleasure.
Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Business Class service, amenities and entertainment
Service
From the moment I step aboard the Qatar 777, I experience exemplary service. I’m not pointed in the direction of my Suite; I’m personally escorted there. My crew member pops my cabin bag in the overhead locker, voluntarily snaps a dozen photos of me, and still has time left to walk me through my Suite and its features.
Throughout the flight, nothing is too much trouble. My crew member attends to my every request promptly – actually, she often intuits my needs before I ask. The service aboard Qatar Qsuite equals the memorable and intuitive service you’d expect in the very best restaurants or hotels.
Amenities
In regards to Business Class amenities, Qatar wins me over from the get-go with a beautifully-boxed Diptyque amenity kit. It’s waiting for me on the side console as I take my seat, jauntily tied with a black bow.
Inside, you’ll find scented body lotion, face cream, lip balm and a divine rose eau de toilette perfume. The next morning, staff hand out a subtly perfumed Diptyque refresher towel. It’s almost too nice to use – I spend most of my time gently sniffing it.
You’ll also find dental kits stocked in the bathroom, and eyemasks available on request.
Entertainment
Qatar provides a 21.5-inch crystal-clear touchscreen for your viewing pleasure. The entertainment selection is very good too, with a wide range of movies, TV shows, audio and games, plus a dedicated kids selection. In truth, I’m too busy relishing the luxury of Qsuite to feel the need to veg out in front of a blockbuster or TV show. Of course, many people love nothing more than bingeing on entertainment during a long-haul flight. And if that’s the case, you won’t be disappointed.
Qatar also provides noise-cancelling Oryx One headphones, which I pop on for review purposes. They seem good enough to me. Though a number of my tech-mad colleagues (I’m looking at you, Chris Chamberlin!) always travel with their own preferred pair. Up to you.
Booking this flight with points
When I booked this flight back in April 2022, it was still possible to redeem Qantas Points for Business Class seats on Qatar. Recently, though, reward seats in premium cabins have all but disappeared from the Qantas site – or are only available to book shortly before the date of travel. Here at Point Hacks, we live in hope that Qatar premium reward seats will return to the Qantas site in future.
In the meantime, there are other options for booking Qatar Business Class seats on points. Those with Velocity Points can book all classes on the Virgin Australia site. Other options for Qatar reward bookings include Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios, British Airways Avios, American Airlines AAdvantage and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles.
Summing up
My maiden flight on Qatar Qsuite will forever live on in my memory. I break out in a grin the moment I spy my Suite, and I’m smiling inwardly for the remainder of the flight.
The fact is, flying Qsuite takes Business Class pampering to a whole new level. I feel genuinely cared for by the crew, and the dining is simply next-level. The sliding privacy door cossets me in my own luxury cocoon – if by cocoon I mean a spacious, beautifully-appointed Suite.
Sure, my crayfish dish is overcooked, and my morning coffee a tad unfortunate. But when you compare that to a near-perfect long-haul flight, these details pale in comparison.
I’m a Qsuite convert, and I always will be. So why not save up your points and join me?
Also reviewed: Qatar Airways Airbus A380 Business Class (Paris – Doha)
Feature image courtesy of Qatar Airways. All other photography by Antonia Strakosch, who travelled at Point Hacks’ expense.
789s are not QSuite but a variation.
If you REALLY want a sliding door for extra privacy, and/or you’re a group of 4 and you want to be able to sit together, then maybe go for the Q-suite. Otherwise I’d catch the A380 flight.
They use their own type of seat from Boeing that is somewhat close to that standard, but not the same as Q-suite e.g. it doesn’t have the quads, positions are standard per row, layout different, and slightly smaller (since the aircraft is smaller).
• The cabin crew lack the consistency of, say, Singapore Airlines. They can be anything from amazing to stand-offish, depending on the flight. I’ve had both.
• The “moving map” option on the entertainment system (essential viewing by Av-geeks!) is by far the worst of any airline I have travelled on. It’s 95% ads, 5% map.
• The Qatar government’s human rights record should, at the very least, cause one to hesitate a little. I personally have no ethical qualms about redeeming points for a Q-suite as it doesn’t substantially increase the airline’s revenue, if at all. But I’d think twice before paying for a seat.
Then when one of the airlines own staff tried to quit the airline – he was found dead in an apartment having been asked to come back to ‘sign some papers’…. Look up Marc Bennett and you will never travel this airline again.
Some (many) airlines have killed their passengers – even by a deliberate act of homicide by a pilot. Do they need a particular system of values to fly?