Review: Is business class on the world's best airline worth it?
Qatar Airways was named world’s best airline by Skytrax, taking the title from Singapore Airlines. We test out a long haul flight from London to Sydney and this is what we found
We test out a long haul flight from London to Sydney on this award-winning airline and this is what we found.
Take a seat
There are 48 business class seats on the upper deck of the plane, arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, all with direct aisle access. The two middle seats are divided by a privacy screen that can be lowered for passengers travelling together.
The design reminds me of a row of Formula One cars, each with a curved back and side so all you can see of fellow passengers is their heads.
They are not as private as the airline’s coveted Q-Suite in which a sliding door turns the space into a little cabin. Window seats offer the best experience, facing away from others and feeling more spacious. I have a middle seat on the first leg and a window on the second.
There is a bar and lounge at the back of the cabin for first and business class passengers.
At 203cm when extended, the flat bed has plenty of room, even for someone as tall as me (185cm).
The seat is 56cm wide, so I don’t feel cramped and can easily turn over when lying down, which is not the case with some airlines I have flown.
The amenity kit is from French perfume house Diptyque, known for its beautifully scented and expensive candles, and it comes with body lotion, face cream, lip balm and a small fragrance spray.
There are also socks, an eye mask and ear plugs. Refresher towels are Diptyque, as are the hand wash and moisturiser in the toilets, which means there is a pleasant fragrance throughout.
On the night flight from Doha to Sydney, cotton pyjamas from London’s The White Company are provided, along with slippers. A mattress and pillow case are placed on each seat by staff as a “turndown service”. The quilted blanket feels soft and luxurious and is long enough to cover me entirely.
Tech talk
The 43cm touchscreen monitor has a retractable remote. There is a universal power outlet and space for me to charge my laptop on the side console. There is also a USB-A port but not USB-C, which means I have to use the power outlet to charge my Apple iPhone 14.
That’s entertainment
Films are divided into Hollywood, Arabic, Bollywood and European categories. There are also television shows, games and audio sections offering popular music and even readings from the Koran. Few of the movies appeal; I’m unfamiliar with a lot of the newer releases and there are a lot of offerings from the Harry Potter, DC or Marvel franchises. I choose award winner Killers of the Flower Moon and an old favourite, Joe Wright’s Pride and Prejudice.
On the menu
Food service is a la carte, and you can request anything on the menu regardless of time of day. On both flights, there are three entrees, five main courses, a cheese course and dessert on the lunch/dinner menu, and three entrees, three main courses and a selection of pastries on the breakfast menu.
The variety is excellent and the food is delicious. On the London-Doha flight, I choose the classic Arabic mezze with pita bread and hummus, baba ghanoush and muhammara, a spicy red capsicum, walnut and pomegranate molasses dip that is so tasty, I vow to make it at home.
For my main course I settle on the Angus beef fillet and braised cheek with sweet
potato, heritage carrots and broccoli, which is restaurant quality. I manage to fit in a baked plum tart for dessert and when my tea arrives with a selection of delicious chocolates, I suspect I won’t need to eat for a week.
The drinks menu features two Champagnes, an international selection of rose, red and whites, and 10 classic cocktails.
When it comes to breakfast on the Doha to Sydney leg, I have coconut and chia pudding with fresh berries instead of the more substantial options as I am still full from the previous flight. It is flavoursome and comes with Greek yoghurt, berry compote and mixed granola plus a croissant, ciabatta and hazelnut praline Danish.
In the bag
Luggage allowance is 40kg check-in and 15kg of carry-on. Use the Qatar app to log your trip and you’ll be notified which carousel to go to and when your baggage has been loaded, which makes for a speedy and hassle-free exit.
At your service
Cabin crew are friendly, attentive and generous, delivering the kind of service you’d expect at a top hotel. They regularly check in to see if I need anything and to explain the menu and on-board facilities (even the five types of olive oil to go with my bread).
My flute of Laurent-Perrier Champagne is poured (and liberally filled) directly from the bottle after takeoff rather than brought from the galley.
On the ground
On check-in at Heathrow’s Terminal 4, I am directed to a screened area where porters take my bag and staff escort me to a private check-in counter. There is a priority lane for clearing security, which means I arrive at the airport at 6.05am and am at my gate 13 minutes later. Business and first class passengers board through a separate gate from economy in London and Doha. The latter has multiple lounges including the new garden-inspired Al Mourjan lounge.
Make your points
Qatar Airways has the Privilege Club frequent flyer program and is part of the Oneworld network.
In the know
Qatar Airways flies from London to Doha multiple times a day and from Doha to Sydney once a day. The Qsuite is offered on the Boeing 777-300ER during peak season and onboard the Airbus A350-900 at other times, which flies from London to Doha and from Doha to Melbourne and Adelaide.
What it costs
Flights start from $7546 one way, based on an airline website search departing two months from publication.
The verdict
Qatar was named world’s best airline and best business class by the Airline Ratings website at the end of last month, and with good reason.
The service is exceptional, food is restaurant-quality and plentiful, and the seats are spacious.
I had the best sleep I have had on a plane, thanks to the length of the flat-bed. It makes a long-haul flight from London to Sydney a luxury experience.
Milanda Rout was a guest of Qatar Airways.
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