Qatar Qsuite business class review: Close to perfection in the sky

Ever wondered if the Qsuite is worth booking? I just found out. Here's my review of the experience, from the sumptuous champers and life changing massage feature, to the disappointing Melbourne lounge.

If you've ever stared longingly at the Qsuite when boarding a Qatar Airways flight, here's what it's like to actually fly in it.

What is Qatar's Qsuite?

Once you fly Qatar's fabled Qsuite, there's no going back. The memory lingers forever, like the smell of sweet Arabic tea. The same tea you're served within seconds of sitting down. It's not just a step up; it's a private, boutique hotel in the sky.

My journey from Melbourne to Doha on the 777-300ER started with priority check-in, fast-track security, and access to Melbourne's Mahaba shared Business Lounge. But the real magic happens when you step on board.

Qatar's Qsuite It's like a private hotel room in the sky.

Seat pitch, massage features and personal space

The seat pitch in Qsuite is over 200 cm, meaning your seat fully converts into a lie-flat bed. At turndown service, you get a plush mattress topper, proper bedding, and even pyjamas, making it closer to a boutique hotel room than an airline seat.

Sit back and enjoy the flight in Qsuite. Picture: Jeremy Drake

The privacy door means you're in your own enclosed cocoon, and if you're travelling with a partner or family, you can even combine suites to create a shared space.

Then there are the small but crucial details. In Qsuite, you have complete control over your environment. You're not just seated; you're settled in, with room to stretch, lie flat, and relax. There's also a lower back massage feature (more like an inflating balloon in the lower back), which I haven't seen on other business class flights.

The privacy door forms your own cocoon. Picture: Jeremy Drake

The Food (and wine)

This is a non-stop, order at any time, a la carte degustation in the sky. The menu (and the wine list) reads like a novella. Page after page of French Champagne, crisp white wines, energy smoothies and arabic teas. 

Right from the start, I chomp on a medjool date and a mezze platter with assorted sourdough breads and flavoured olive oil. I sip on a Joseph Perrier Cuvee Royale Brut Champagne while I await a generous portion of lobster thermidor. 

Start with a mezze plate. Picture: Jeremy Drake

Everything is plated with care; everything is served when you're ready. The crew move quietly, intuitively, like they’ve done this a thousand times and still somehow enjoy it. Food is central to the Qsuite experience, and I’m here for it.

Champagne is never far away. Picture: Jeremy Drake

Doha stopover: Lounge perks

Qatar Airways ensures that Business Class passengers get a premium transfer experience at Hamad International Airport.

I had access to Al Mourjan Business Lounge, also known as The Garden, a 7,390-square-metre luxury space overlooking the famous Orchard (an indoor airport Terrarium) at HIA. I indulged in a dine-on-demand menu featuring Arabic mezze and sushi paired with premium wines from the cocktail bar or self-service fridge.

In the lounge, I died and went to on-demand dining heaven...

See also: The 10 best airline upgrades that are worth the money

There were private workstations, high-speed Wi-Fi, shower suites, a huge games room with a pool table and a couple of overzealous young travellers playing FIFA.

Stopping at the Al Mourjan Business Lounge is a first-class experience disguised as Business Class that made my layover feel like a visit to an adult Disneyland.

In-flight entertainment and attentive service

The in-flight entertainment is identical across all cabins. In Qsuite, I enjoyed a 55 cm display with a pixel resolution that resembled an iPad. The Oryx One system offers an impressive selection of movies, TV shows, and live flight tracking.

The interface is intuitive and fast, and the selection of Hollywood blockbusters and indie films is solid. My inflight toxic trait is any good Bollywood film featuring dozens of backup dancers. The real surprise, however, was the service. Qatar Airways has a well-earned reputation for hospitality, and I felt it at every stage.

Staff make sure you are comfy at every turn. Picture: Jeremy Drake

In Qsuite, the service is elevated with personalised greetings and a never-empty glass of Champagne. The cabin crew were attentive, warm, and proactive. They addressed me by name, were curious about my journey, regularly checked in with water and snacks, and made the trip feel effortless.

One of the best features, well worth calling out, was Qsuite's access to Starlink. The upload and download speed was so fast that not only was I able to stream YouTube, but I also could FaceTime with my kids to say goodnight. 

The Wifi was so good I could Facetime my kids to say goodnight

Loyalty program perks: Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia

It's worth trying to tap into Qatar Airways' loyalty program, Privilege Club. Thanks to their new partnership with Virgin Australia, you can earn (and redeem) Velocity points when flying with Qatar. Book a Qatar flight via Virgin, and things get even better. For Aussies, every kilometre flown in Qsuite can unlock future benefits, upgrades, and rewards across both airlines' networks.

Join the loyalty program and you could be flying 1A quicker. Picture: Jeremy Drake

Privilege Club is also linked to Avios, giving you access to Qatar Airways, British Airways, Iberia, and other partner airlines. Members can earn Qpoints through membership tiers of Burgundy, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

What's Hot

Two things, both food-related. The a la carte service onboard is unlike anything else. Order anything you want, at any time. It's worth trying to fill up your tray table. Next, there is an abundance of good coffee and Arabic tea. I know it's small, but when the coffee tastes like it's come out of a famous Degraves Laneway roastery, you have my heart.

I cannot fault the food. Picture: Jeremy Drake

What’s Not

Qatar could use a better lounge in Melbourne. It's not representative of the inflight experience. The shared Marhaba Lounge is what brings this experience down a few notches. It's cramped, tired, poorly lit, and the food and drink options are woeful. 

The Melbourne lounge is on another level... and not in a good way. Picture: Melbourne Airport

The verdict: 9/10

In short, Qsuite isn’t just a great business class product. It’s not a luxury hotel in the sky, it’s a more of a boutique hotel where there is a more personal touch. From the privacy to the service to the sleep, it reshapes what a long-haul flight can feel like. Overall, this is as close to perfection as I’ve found in the sky.

Overall, it's as good a product as I've ever flown

This writer was upgraded to Qsuites by Qatar.

Originally published as Qatar Qsuite business class review: Close to perfection in the sky