Qatar Airways business class review: Desperate move goes to waste on ‘world-class’ flight

It was an attempt to outsmart the system we’ve all grown to abhor. But this desperate act proved to be completely unnecessary.

It was $15 I was happy to throw in the trash.

Huge call. Cost-of-living crisis. Already in debt while embarking on an expensive trip to Paris. Blah blah. Most people would do anything to save a coin.

But the sandwich I’d purchased from a Sydney deli and stowed away in my carry-on luggage before boarding the Qatar Airways A380 business class cabin was a regrettable purchase – bought out of hurried desperation while fearing the food that was going to be served during the long-haul flight would be less than pleasant.

“It’s business class – aren’t the meals decent?” a friend had asked while I ran around the city hours before takeoff, collecting snacks and packets of whatever.

In the past, I too have made this assumption. And in those cases, I have been left feeling foolish and very hungry – skulking around the dark cabin while everyone sleeps, looking for food I can steal from small children.

It was a nightmare at 30,000 feet – being force-fed congealed vegetables and too-salty sautéed moosh while dead-eyed flight attendants gaslit me by throwing around phrases like “fine dining”.

This time, I would not be tricked. I arrived at the airport with a sandwich and an array of treats, like a really hungry bear who’d be hibernating for eternity. I needed snackage that would last till the end of time. I may never see a real meal again, I thought. I am a satiated genius and everyone else is a starving peasant!

The Qatar Airways business class lounge has been awarded the ‘world’s best’.

As I smugly settled into the luxurious cabin, the delightful flight attendant calmly appeared to greet me and provide a glass of champagne. She then presented the menu and asked to take my orders – dinner, desert, snacks, breakfast … and more snacks.

Before I could arrogantly wave her away and bust open my packet of Mars Pods, my eyes glimpsed the menu. Hummus! Beef tenderloin! Chocolate and raspberry dome!

How on earth are they constructing a chocolate and raspberry dome at 30,000 feet? Some things just need to be accepted and not questioned.

Then, heavenly music began to play in my head as my eyes landed on three of my favourite words: SELECTION OF BREADS.

I ordered it all while spritzing myself with the free Diptyque perfume that was gifted in the toiletries kit.

What arrived were perfectly portioned and delicate meals with Middle Eastern flavours that put my snacks – and some restaurants on the ground – to shame. My sandwich was promptly tossed.

Qatar’s serving Gippsland beef tenderloin.

No pre-bought snacks are necessary on Qatar.

I should’ve done my research. Then I would’ve known the hype surrounding Qatar Airways. The airline has been awarded the “World’s Best Business Class” for the eleventh time this year, along with “World’s Best Airline” for a record-breaking eighth time.

And the airline is not just bringing excellence to the skies. On the ground, its business class lounge has also been dubbed the “world’s best”. Along with a la carte meals, buffets and freshly-made sushi, the lounge offers luxurious private showers to refresh between flights.

Qatar Airways clocks up 15 years of service in Australia and this month unveils its latest celebratory business class menu, featuring an array of some of Australia’s finest native flavours.

There’s a reason Qatar Airways has won a slew of global awards.

Standouts include the Western Australian lobster with ginger soy sauce. For dessert, there’s the apple cream cake, complemented by a New South Wales strawberry gum compote with sticky caramel and vanilla crème fraiche.

Xia Cai, Qatar Airways Senior Vice President of Product Development and Design, says the experience is “world-class”.

“We know Australians are passionate about food and this celebratory menu is testament to Qatar Airways’ commitment to providing the best on-board experience for our passengers and continued quest for service excellence,” she said.

Qatar Airways currently flies to over 170 destinations worldwide and the new menu is available from October till 15 December in business class.

The journalist was a guest of Qatar Airways