QSuite: Flying Qatar Airways Legendary Business Class (2024)

Qatar Airways’ QSuite lives with the tagline ‘First in Business’, so well known is it for being the best business class product available across all global airlines. What’s it actually like?

A few years ago, the dream of flying Qatar’s famed QSuite was just that – a dream. But then Qatar Airways adopted Avios as their currency and suddenly saving up all my points for the experience was a possibility! I had plans to return to Thailand after nearly a decade of absence from my beloved South East Asia, and at the time BA still weren’t flying direct to Bangkok after shelving the service during Covid. My options were pay cash for an economy return with Thai or Eva Air, or save up a bunch of Avios points and fly business class via Doha on the QSuite for about the same price in taxes. No brainer!

It obviously can take a fair amount of time to save up enough points to fly business class long haul so the real question is: was it worth it?

I’ll break it down for you and you can judge for yourself!

QSuite Review Contents:

AT HEATHROW

CHECK IN

Qatar have something I’ve not seen before in the times I’ve been lucky to fly business, and that is a check in area separated from the other desks, complete with seats, tables and the offer of a soft drink whilst you wait for a free desk!

QATAR AIRWAYS BUSINESS CLASS LOUNGE

I’ve been in a few business class lounges, and the ones you pay for or have access to via your credit card, but the Qatar Airways lounge in Heathrow Terminal 4 is the best I’ve been to in Europe and probably America too. In fact just the best one overall bar the lounge in Doha (more on that later).

There is the option to help yourself at the buffet, which I had not intended to do, but then I saw this phenomenal looking curry, short rib that was falling apart in that delicious way it does and my beloved tenderstem broccoli, so I caved. And this was after I had some sushi in the dining area that comes complete with fine white tablecloths and table service. Why not, eh? When in Rome etc.

A full martini bar serves every drink going, as far as I could tell – and I can vouch personally for the excellent espresso martini. Alongside the main buffet and salad bar, a dessert section with delicious cakes, tarts and a variety of international cheeses to select from.

An example of the great service you get in this lounge is the way the staff come over to check which flight you’re on. A lot of lounges don’t do this, and they don’t have announcements, so it was a nice touch to make sure you didn’t lose track of time, which I’m sure is very easily done somewhere this comfortable!

ON BOARD

QSUITE SEAT

I’ve done an excellent job of not taking a photo that truly shows the sheer size of the Qsuite seat, despite taking four flights within two weeks so, you’re welcome. Rest assured it’s the biggest and most comfortable business class suite I’ve ever been in – it is HUGE!

There are no issues here if you are a tall boy; the seats are 79 inches long and 21 inches wide. As you would hope, they extend out to lie completely flat, and they have one of my favourite features in the newer business class offerings you see in the air these days – a door that shuts fully, making you feel like really you have your own little room as opposed to a seat. You can easily go the whole flight without seeing another passenger whilst you’re tucked away in the QSuite.

The most unique feature of the QSuite seats is the Quad. If you are travelling as a group of 4, there’s the option to reserve the revolutionary quad seats, which can be configured to create a table of 4 for you to dine together. The seats that are closest together in the quad can also be transformed into a double bed for those travelling together. See here for an excellent blog from The Points Guy, who did not fail to take excellent photos of the QSuite layout.

QSUITE AMENITIES

Toiletries are by Diptyque (I know, so fancy!), The White Company have made the pyjamas you’ll be given and the blankets are big and super soft, quilted with the Qatar Airways pattern. Headphones are the sophisticated over-the-ear noise cancelling kind, and the entertainment on offer includes hundreds of films and TV shows in different languages.

The plane toilets are really spacious, yet again with Diptyque dotted around – hand wash, hand cream and facial mist – and whilst you won’t find a toothbrush and toothpaste in your toiletry kit, there are plenty stocked in the toilets. In your personal amenity kit you’ll be bestowed with a facial moisturiser, lip balm, body cream, perfume or aftershave, socks, earplugs and eye mask.

QSUITE FOOD AND DRINK

Let’s get to one of the best parts of any business class offering: the food and drink! There’s no two ways about this: this is high level restaurant standard food being served at 40,000 feet. Lobster, caviar, seared tuna, melt in your mouth short rib, steak, beautiful little tarts, cheeseboards and of course a very impressive wine and cocktail list to wash it all down with, including an extensive list of non alcoholic options and mocktails that would put most London pubs to shame.

On boarding, you will be welcomed by name and on settling into your seat will be offered either a soft drink or champagne. Before take off the cabin crew member dedicated to your seat will take your order for another drink post take off, the order for your meal, and importantly: what time you would like to eat. This was one of my favourite features of flying business with Qatar – the option to choose which time you would like to dine.

Small touches like an your table being laid with a crisp white table cloth and candle (fake of course, but still!), lovely little salt and pepper shakers, an amuse bouche being served and having the option of which flavour olive oil you would like served with your bread elevated this dining experience far beyond those that I’ve tried with Iberia and British Airways.

Dining highlights included the short rib with massaman curry (honestly I would be happy paying £20 for this dish in a restaurant, it banged), every opportunity I had to have seared tuna, and the warm chocolate tart. My only gripe is my flights and appetite not big enough to try absolutely everything.

DOHA AL MOURJAN BUSINESS CLASS LOUNGE

Doha’s Hamed International Airport is only 10 years old, and it’s clear there has been a huge amount of investment in it. Whilst impossible to match Singapore’s Changi airport, it does remind me of Changi with the indoor jungle like gardens that are extremely welcome in an airport that serves so many long haul routes across the world. Doha is home to many connecting routes, so a chance to feel at one with nature after hours on end on a plane is a huge plus. 

I got to experience the mezzanine Al Mourjan Garden Lounge that looks over and across the beautiful gardens. The first thing of note is that the lounge is very expansive, with the option to explore quite far in either direction on entering.

SEATING AREA

There are so many different areas to sit that you are spoilt for choice, and yet in some business class lounges you struggle to find a seat at busy times of day. Speaking of, I was here both in the early morning and around lunchtime, and the former was far busier – I assume due to the schedule of connecting flights at this time of day.

The seating areas and the seats themselves are spaced really well apart, so at no time do you feel on top of other passengers. There are dedicated quiet areas, and all of the seats are large – some are leather armchairs, and there are sofas too.

FOOD

The food offering is as impressive as it is in the air, with a team of chefs knocking up fresh sushi, made to order salads and sandwiches alongside other more substantial dishes from an a la carte menu. There is also a large buffet to help yourself from, and there is no shortage of staff to guide you through your options or to order with.

Drinks such as champagne, wine, beer and soft drinks are self serve. Anything more complex can be ordered directly from the bar or with a member of staff. I had a killer Bloody Mary on one of my stop overs.

FACILITIES

This really is a great place for a long stopover or even a delay. There are several spa rooms, showers, a fitness room, a games room, smoking room and quiet rooms where you can catch some sleep too. 

HOW MUCH DID QSUITE COST ON AVIOS POINTS?

The big question: how much did these 4 flights cost me?

Each leg of my journey (2 flights between London and Thailand via Doha) cost me 75,000 Avios points. The taxes varied given UK airport taxes are so high:

London – Doha – Bangkok: £398.81
Phuket – Doha – London: £158.90

TOTAL: £557.71 + 150k Avios

Not half bad eh?! Given the economy direct flights were coming in at a similar price, if not more than this, to me it was totally worth it to save up specifically for the QSuite experience.

A true bonus was two of my planes getting changed, so what was supposed to be two QSuite flights out of four turned out to be all four boasting the QSuite! I am, of course, now ruined for every other flying experience.

Tempted to save your Avios to fly QSuite? Be sure to check out my blog on collecting Avios points to help get you there quicker here.

Written March 2024.

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