Qatar Airways Qsuite review: Inside $7.8k luxury business class to Melbourne
This international airline’s business class has taken out all the top awards for a few years now. But is it worth $7.8k for a 13-hour flight? We find out.
This international airline’s business class has taken out all the top awards for a few years now. But is it worth $7.8k for a 13 hour flight? We find out.
Take a seat
There are 42 Qsuite seats on this Boeing 777, arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, each offering direct aisle access. There are forward-facing and rear-facing seats in alternate rows and the seats in the centre aisle can be transformed into a double bed for a couple or a quad for groups travelling together. The vaulted ceiling and recessed overhead compartments lend a distinct sense of space to the cabin, and the burgundy, grey and rose-gold colour palette is refined and elegant. I’m sitting in 9J and the seat is 55cm wide with a 261cm pitch. There’s a generous storage compartment under the window, with headphones and a bottle of water, and extra storage under the faux-marble side table for my phone, passport and book. But the best feature is the sliding privacy screen that makes me feel like I’m cocooned in my own little world.
Tech talk
Each suite comes with a universal power socket, USB, HDMI and NFC ports. There is a Do Not Disturb light that I use when the privacy door is closed and I’m ready for sleep. For Privilege Club members (free to join), there’s one hour of complimentary in-flight wi-fi but I love disconnecting on planes so I don’t bother. A touchscreen remote controls the 55cm screen positioned above the foot cubby; one small negative is it’s nearly impossible to reach the call button for flight attendants located on the remote when
the tray table is down. The amenity kit contains Diptyque Paris products tucked
into branded bag containing ear plugs, fragrance, face cream, lotion and lip balm, socks and eye mask. Two pillows and a cosy quilted blanket are provided, along with slippers and sleepwear by The White Company.
That’s entertainment
The Oryx One in-flight entertainment system has a choice of up to 8500 movies, TV shows, audio and games. Knowing my 12-year-old son will ask me what I watched, I initially opt for The Fall Guy, a satisfyingly silly action-comedy romp starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. I then choose films I’ll actually admit to watching, the deeply moving I Am: Celine Dion about the singer’s experience of Stiff Person Syndrome, and Sing Sing, an excellent film based on a real-life theatre group inside a maximum-security prison.
On the menu
Despite being tempted by a glass of Billecart-Salmon champagne, it’s just before 2am when we board, so I opt for a delicious non-alcoholic nightcap of cardamom chai tea. Trying to reset my body to Melbourne time, I request dinner two hours after take-off as there’s an a la carte menu available any time.
I choose the vegetarian options from the in-flight menu and am glad I do as it’s a veritable feast of Arabic mezze with warm rounds of pita bread, creamy spinach and ricotta-filled pasta, and a sour cherry clafoutis with vanilla bean ice cream. Three hours before we land, I order a peach, blueberry and vanilla smoothie, granola and yoghurt, and then buttermilk pancakes with chestnuts and chocolate. The pancakes are tasty but perhaps more suited for a dessert than breakfast.
At your service
The service is impeccable, although I’m surprised not to be offered water throughout the flight (requests are addressed quickly, however). The spacious bathrooms are kept scrupulously clean.
In the bag
Passengers can take 40kg of baggage and two pieces of carry-on, weighing up to 15kg total.
Make your points
Qatar has its Privilege Club, which is part of the oneworld airline alliance. Other airlines in this network include Qantas and Cathay Pacific. Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways have recently applied for approval for an integrated airline alliance, meaning Velocity Frequent Flyers can earn velocity points when they travel on Qatar Airways operated flights with a QR or VA flight number.
On the ground
The Al Mourjan Garden Lounge is located in the new north terminal of Doha’s Hamad International Airport, overlooking The Orchard Garden (think tropical plants and water features). The lounge is simply enormous at 7390sq m and is divided into two wings, one for the majority of the dining options and the other much quieter area with plenty of comfortable seats. There are seven spa treatment rooms, a fitness studio, family games room and showers. You won’t go hungry or thirsty with the generous hot and cold buffet, a la carte dining or cocktail bar options, which are constantly refreshed. There are no sad-looking sandwiches anywhere to be seen.
In the know
Qatar Airways won the World’s Best Airline for the unprecedented eighth time at the 2024 World Airline Awards. It was also voted world’s best business class, world’s best business -class lounge and best airline in the Middle East.
The bottom line
A one-way Qsuite business-class fare from Doha to Melbourne from $7857, based on airline website search departing two months from publication.
The verdict
It’s easy to see why Qatar has taken out so many awards, as this business-class flight was almost faultless, and the privacy screen almost feels as though you’re in first class. As a fellow Qsuite passenger says when disembarking: “I’d give this flight six stars.”
Lindy Alexander was a guest of Norwegian Cruise Lines and was upgraded by Qatar Airways.
If you love to travel, sign up to our free weekly Travel + Luxury newsletter here.
To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout