Qatar Airways Qsuite review: Still setting the standard for business class

Quick take: It’s still one of the best business-class experiences in the skies thanks to private suites, high-end amenities and on-demand gourmet dining.

Pros

• Suite-style seats have closing doors for privacy, plus combinable configurations.
• There are high-end amenities from The White Company and Diptyque, plus on-demand dining with restaurant-quality food.
• You can access the world-class lounge in Doha.

Cons

• Though there’s plenty of stowage, you might have trouble finding a place for your laptop.
• You’ll have to be flexible if you want to book an award ticket.
• It’s time for some updates like wireless charging and Bluetooth pairing.

Although airline business-class suites with closing doors are becoming more commonplace these days, Qatar Airways was the pioneer. The airline put its much-loved Qsuite into service in September 2017.

Since then, the Qsuite has racked up awards and accolades thanks not only to its spacious dimensions and closing privacy doors, but also to its gourmet dine-on-demand menus, exceptional inflight service and deluxe amenities like Diptyque skincare products and The White Company bedding.

What’s more, you can typically find award availability in a Qatar Qsuite using a variety of frequent flyer points or miles thanks to the carrier’s membership in the Oneworld airline alliance … if you have a little flexibility on timing and routing, that is.

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That’s how, on a recent trip back to the U.S. from Seychelles, I happened upon a Qsuite award that suited my needs. It gave me the opportunity to review what has become one of my favorite business-class experiences of all time on a flight from Doha to Washington, D.C.

Here’s what it was like flying in a Qatar Qsuite, how you can book it yourself and everything you can expect to enjoy on board.

How much does it cost to book a Qatar Qsuite?

The cost to book a Qatar Qsuite will depend on your origin and destination, as well as whether you’re flying one-way or round-trip.

Qatar flies to various U.S. airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Dulles International Airport (IAD), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Ticket prices can range from around $6,000 to $11,000 one-way and from $11,000 to $16,000 round-trip over the next several months.

But because Qatar Airways is part of the Oneworld alliance, you can book award seats starting at 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles or 70,000 to 85,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles each way between the U.S. and the Middle East.

For my flight from Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) to IAD via Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH), I ended up redeeming 85,000 British Airways Avios plus $267 in taxes and fees. The ticket would have cost $6,002 otherwise.

Map watching: The award for “sexiest new route” of the year goes to …

Qatar Airways business-class passengers can select seats for free. However, you might find a lot of seats blocked off due to the fact that a Qsuite can sometimes be combined into a double or a quad; the airline tends to block those off to assign to groups traveling together. You can try calling customer service to reserve your preferred seat, though.

If you are flying in Qatar Airways business class, you can check two bags of up to 32 kilograms (70 pounds) each when flying to or from the U.S.

Checking into and boarding Qatar Airways Qsuite business class

Qatar Airways business-class passengers can take advantage of the following priority services at the airport:

My flight from Mahe landed in Doha late at night, and my onward journey to Washington, D.C., continued in the morning. So, I booked an overnight stay at the Oryx Airport Hotel within the airport.

After landing and clearing security, I went to the hotel to drop my bags. Then, I walked across part of the concourse and took the escalators up to the airline’s Al Mourjan lounge. I won’t go into detail since we’ve reviewed the lounge, and little has changed. However, it is a massive, two-story facility with a plethora of seating areas, two dining rooms with buffets and a la carte options, a set of shower suites, a few different quiet areas, workstations, family areas and more.

In the morning, I made my way to my departure gate, which was a solid 20-minute walk from the central concourse. I passed through another security checkpoint and got my travel documents rechecked before I was shepherded into a gate-side seating area.

Boarding began about 20 minutes behind schedule, but it proceeded quickly. We were able to push back just a few minutes late and made up that time in the air.

How comfortable was the Qatar Qsuite?

Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777-300ERs with the Qsuite aboard have a large business-class cabin with 42 seats split into two sections.

The larger front section has six rows of four Qsuites, each in a 1-2-1 pattern. The back section — behind a galley and set of lavatories — has four rows of four Qsuites, each with a two-suite block in its own row.

There are overhead bins running along the sides and center of the cabin, which means plenty of storage space for each passenger. However, this does make the cabin feel a little less spacious and airy. As a plus, each passenger has a set of overhead air nozzles to regulate the temperature of each individual seat.

Each Qsuite faces either forward or backward, depending on the row. Odd rows in the front section and even rows in the back face aft, while those in even rows in the front section and odd ones in the back section face forward. Those on the sides are alternately closer to the aisle or the window. Those running down the middle are either closer together in a “honeymoon” configuration or farther apart in a setup better for solo travelers.

Some two- and four-seat blocks of middle seats can be combined into mega suites of sorts. These are great for couples or families traveling together.

I booked my Qsuite as an award at the last minute, so I was assigned seat 2G. It was a forward-facing Qsuite in the center, but it was separated from the person next to me by our wider armrests.

My Qsuite had light gray fabric upholstery and slightly darker gray leather headrests, cubby cushions and stitched swaths. The Qsuite’s accent wall and closing door were in the airline’s signature burgundy hue.

I measured the chair part of my Qsuite to be 21 inches wide at the shoulders and 22 inches wide at the hips; the entire space from the door on the aisle to the privacy divider separating me from my neighbor was 39 inches across. Those on the side are a little narrower due to the curvature of the jet’s fuselage.

The divider between my seat and the one next to me rose 14 inches above the center console. This doesn’t sound like much, but it provided plenty of privacy unless either one of us stood up.

Although it is locked in an open position for taxi, takeoff and landing, the door to the Qsuite is 52 inches high, including a 9-inch gap between its bottom and the floor.

That allows flight attendants to peer over and check on passengers, but it still provides plenty of seclusion from noise and activity in the aisle.

Next to the seat was a flat, cushioned surface hiding a cubby where I found noise-canceling headphones and a bottle of water.

Adjacent to this was a large, faux-marble side table. It was 22 inches long and ranged from 14 to 23 inches wide, making it a good place to keep my laptop after takeoff. A shallow shelf below this was perfect to store a phone or a pair of glasses.

Below this was a series of buttons to control individual components of the seat as well as arrange it into preset positions for takeoff, landing and lie-flat mode. There was also a do-not-disturb indicator in case I wanted to forgo service.

There was also a universal power plug and two USB-A ports in addition to a touchscreen remote for the entertainment system.

The bi-fold tray table slid out from under the entertainment screen; it extended to a full size of 18 inches long and between 19 and 25 inches wide. It also rolled forward and backward slightly, making it easier to get in and out of the seat when it was deployed.

In lie-flat mode, the seat measured 78 inches long; this included a footwell that was about 13 inches high and narrowed from 18 inches at the mouth to 12 inches at its far end. That was plenty spacious enough for me, but if you have large feet, the space might feel constrictive.

Flight attendants will turn the bed down for you with a mattress pad and duvet from The White Company. They will add a throw blanket and dress the larger pillow with a clean cover as well.

Thanks to the dimensions of the bed and the closing door, I was able to sleep for seven hours or so — uninterrupted.

In the past, I’ve typically selected a Qsuite along the side of the cabin closer to the windows. However, I actually preferred my seat on this flight. Thanks to the privacy divider, I barely noticed my neighbor. Also, since the seat was closer to the door and aisle, I didn’t have to swivel around the larger armrest to access the aisle.

Business-class passengers on Qatar Airways’ 777-300ER have four dedicated lavatories: two at the front of the plane and two next to the galley that separates the two sections of the cabin. Flight attendants kept them spotless, popping in between passengers to tidy them and wipe down surfaces.

Their faux wood and terrazzo surfaces, touchless faucets and Diptyque soap and hand lotion also made them more upscale than your typical airplane bathroom. Hopefully, any updates will include touchless flushing functions for the toilet as well.

Amenities in Qatar Qsuite business class

I found both a full-size pillow and a smaller pillow (each had a different destination stenciled on it) waiting at my seat on my flight from Doha to Washington, D.C. I also found a rolled-up purple blanket.

A black, faux-leather Diptyque amenity kit was also sitting in my suite and contained:

• Diptyque body lotion
• Diptyque lip balm
• Diptyque essential face cream
• Diptyque eau de toilette
• Ear plugs
• An eye mask
• Socks

Additionally, dental kits with toothbrushes and toothpaste were available in the lavatories.

Shortly before takeoff, as most passengers got settled into their seats, flight attendants came through passing out sets of cotton The White Company pajamas. The attendants had guessed each person’s size but offered to replace any sets that did not fit. I received a medium, which was blousy and breathable without being too large.

The seats’ entertainment screens are 21.5 inches across diagonally with crisp resolution. You can control them either with a touchscreen remote or as touchscreens themselves. The content in Qatar Airways’ Oryx One library was very up-to-date, with new releases like “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” and “Wish.” There was also a large selection of television series, including “Jack Ryan,” “You,” “The Tourist” and “Mr. Bates vs The Post Office.”

The entertainment system was easy to navigate, and the provided Phitek headphones worked well, blocking out most external noise. Unfortunately, you can’t pair your own Bluetooth headphones to the system on the 777, though.

You can purchase unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi for just $8 ahead of your flight or for $10 on the flight. Qatar Privilege Club members get one hour for free. Unfortunately, however, it might not work so well, as I discovered on my flight. Though there were portions of the journey where it worked enough to send emails, I could not conduct a speed test; there were hours at a time when the signal was simply not available. That has not been my experience on Qatar’s A350s in the past, so perhaps this was a fluke or specific to this 777. Regardless, it meant I was not able to be as productive as I’d hoped on my 14-hour flight.

How was the food in Qatar Qsuite business class?

Qatar Airways offers dine-on-demand service in business class. My flight departed at 8:45 a.m. local time and landed at 4:10 p.m. in Washington, D.C. I wanted a meal plan that would allow me to dine as soon as possible, maximize a long stretch of rest and then eat again a few hours before landing at what would be lunchtime in Washington, D.C. I hoped this structure would help me acclimate to my new time zone as quickly as possible.

Menus were waiting at passengers’ seats upon boarding. Flight attendants did several predeparture passes through the cabin to tell passengers about the dine-on-demand service and ask their preferences.

Once I had a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne in hand, I took my time with the menu, figuring there was no rush. The menu had two sections: a larger list of dishes that were part of the main service and a second set of selections suggested for a prelanding meal.

The starter choices included:

• Soup of the day
• Pita bread with classic Arabic mezze with a twist, including pesto hummus, labneh tahini and avocado muhammara
• Applewood-smoked duck with caramelized figs

This was served with a selection of breads that included:

• Sun-dried tomato focaccia
• Dark sunflower rye
• Spinach cheese rolls

The main courses included:

• USDA prime beef tenderloin with creamy green peppercorn jus, truffle butter and potato galette
• Qatari-spiced barramundi machboos with crispy onions and sultanas
• Stir-fried chicken with wok-fried Asian vegetables over jasmine rice
• Paneer pasanda with jeera rice

These were followed by:

• A cheese course served with lavosh and accompaniments
• Sour cherry chocolate mousse cake
• Warm poached ruby pear with spiced syrup
• A selection of ice cream

The wine choices included:

• Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee Champagne
• Devaux Rose Champagne
• Penfolds 2017 Bin 311 chardonnay
• Delta Estate 2022 Marlborough sauvignon blanc
• Dopff & Irion 2022 riesling
• Chateau de Fieuzal 2015 Grand Cru Classe de Graves
• Tyrrell’s Hunter Valley 2021 Shiraz
• Albert Bichot Moulin-a-Vent Le Roc Domaine de Rochegres 2021 Beaujolais

I started my meal with the Arabic mezze platter, which was fresh and delicious. It was nice to see innovative twists on the classic dips. They went well with the tangy Delta Estate sauvignon blanc.

Then I had the barramundi machboos, which was flavorful and filling thanks to all the spices and the hearty helping of rice. I paired that with the Chateau de Fieuzal, which was fruity and robust.

Finally, I had the cherry chocolate mousse, which was sweet but light — a nice way to end my main meal and settle in for a movie before a snooze.

Guests could also order specialty cocktails like an Aperol Royal, an Old-Fashioned and a dry martini, plus a host of high-end spirits like the Glenlivet Scotch whisky. Plenty of sodas, TWG teas and a variety of coffee drinks were also available.

Between meals, passengers could request light snacks such as popcorn, potato chips, fruit, cookies and biscuits.

There were also more substantial choices like:

• Prawns with tandoori and tikka spices over kachumber salad
• Mini beef sliders and glazed barbecue skewers
• Cajun chicken toasties with Emmental cheese and pesto

I mostly slept for the middle portion of the flight, so I skipped the snacks; although, on past flights, the snacks have been a highlight. If you’re more than peckish, you can always order from the main menu, though. I noticed a few passengers doing so during the quiet hours while others were sleeping.

For folks who craved breakfast either after takeoff or before landing, the menu included:

• A selection of fresh juices and smoothies
• Greek yogurt with cinnamon-apple compote and toasted walnut granola
• Seasonal fresh fruit
• A choice of breakfast cereals
• Cold cuts
• Traditional Arabic breakfast items with pita bread like foul medames, feta, cucumber, tomato and olives
• Omelet of spinach and cream cheese with grilled fennel-chicken sausage and potato rosti
• Salted caramel croissant with vanilla mascarpone cream and fresh nuts and berries
• Bircher muesli with almond milk, pistachios and fresh berries
• A selection of pastries, including croissants, ciabatta and hazelnut-praline Danish

I started with a glass of apple, beet and orange juice alongside the fresh fruit platter, which included ripe pineapple and melons.

Then I had the cold cuts, which included braesola, smoked salmon, Emmental, cream cheese and hard-boiled egg.

I didn’t want the omelet or the croissant, so I asked for the prawns two ways from the snacks menu. These were served with savory cucumber slaw and roti. Light but savory, they hit the spot. As did the cappuccino I asked for. Sure, it tasted like your average machine-made espresso drink, but it was just the jolt I needed to wake up before landing.

I had my meal about 90 minutes before landing, and it was served with efficiency. I had about an hour left after everything was cleared to change back into my street clothes, do a little more work and then strap in for descent.

The service on my flight was exemplary. The flight attendant taking care of my part of the cabin was friendly, cheerful, eager to engage in conversation and ultra-professional. I spilled some coffee on my blanket, and before I could even ask for a napkin to clean it up, she had done so herself, bringing me a new blanket and pillow just in case I needed them. She also took the time to talk me through all the menu options so I could select what I might like best. She was also very well-informed about the wines served on board, offering to pour me tastes of any I might like to try.

I felt taken care of and attended to without being fawned over, and that made the entire flight that much more enjoyable.

Would you recommend Qatar Qsuite business class?

Qatar Airways’ Qsuite has routinely ranked as the best business-class experience in the skies, according to TPG editors and staff. This is thanks to ultra-private suites, gourmet dining, exceptional service and luxury amenities … and this flight was no different.

Part of what sets the Qsuite experience apart is its consistency. No matter which routes you travel or which jet you are on, if you are flying in a Qsuite, you know you are in for a treat.

Although cash fares for Qatar Airways business class can be extremely expensive, the plethora of booking opportunities using points and miles means that experiencing a Qsuite for yourself is eminently within reach. You can redeem Avios of numerous varieties for a ticket, or American AAdvantage or Alaska Mileage Plan miles, especially if you have some flexibility regarding origin and destination.

I’ve flown a Qatar Airways Qsuite about a dozen times. After each experience, I have stepped off the plane already planning the next time I can get back on board. This flight was no different … and I already have my eye on my next trip.

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