Editorial note: Review scores are based against the best possible business class experiences available across all airlines, in regards to each criterion.
The greatest fun in running a large travel blog is the obligation to try lots of different airline seats, Qatar A350 business class being just one of them. We buy tickets, we test, we compare. The hardest part of running a large travel blog is knowing which are the best, but still ending up on others, for testing purposes.
After flying Qatar Airways Qsuite business class on the new Airbus A350-1000, it’s really quite hard to compare it to virtually any other business class experience, with the exception of ANA’s “The Room”, which launched in late 2019. Though it felt cheesy at the time of the marketing launch, Qatar Airways moniker of “first in business class” for the A350 Qsuite really seems fair. It’s a first class feel, but somehow in a business class cabin.
Here’s what it’s like to fly Qatar A350 Qsuites Business Class, including where to sit, some menu favourites and a few seat features which really separate this experience from just about anything else you’ll find in business class. I don’t mean to be biased, but after you fly it, you’ll understand why it’s hard not to be a huge fan…
Stunning is an often overused word, but from the moment you step on board, you’ll see why it’s deserved here. On its own, the A350 is one of the newest planes in the sky, and Qatar has kitted their A350’s out with state of the art mood lighting and removed overhead bins from the central aisle to give this plane an extra feeling of open space.
Plus, you’ll quickly be handed a lovely amenity kit, featuring Brics products. Expect essentials to keep your skin, lips and eyes in good shape in flight. In addition to an amenity kit, expect personal bottles of water to accompany your drink and food orders.
Each Qsuite business class seat offers a privacy door, which makes each suite completely private from eye level during flight. If someone is standing up and walking down the aisle, they can conceivably see into the business class suite, but from passenger to passenger, you’re totally hidden.
The main benefit: you don’t need to worry about your a$$ being on display if you change into the lovely pyjamas provided by Qatar Airways, and end up sleeping sideways.
Window seats on the Qatar Airways Airbus A350, like all other Qsuite seats are staggered where some have the seat close to the window, with more space between you and the aisle, and others have the seat closer to the aisle. I prefer the seats closer to the window.
For family travel, Qatar even has some rows where four suites can be combined to all face in on each other. These are typically found in row 11,12 and are a great choice for a variety of reasons, including proximity to the exit door.
On the Qatar Airways A350-1000, the best Qsuites for solo travellers are window seats in rows: 1, 3, 5, and 11. These seats all have the actual seat and bed nearest the window, rather than the aisle. Row 11 is near the galley, but offers the smaller mini cabin near the most commonly used exit door, which is generally quieter and experiences far less foot traffic.
As far as features go, this A350 business class seat is action packed. There’s a do not disturb button, as well as ample charging ports with both AC and USB connectivity. Unlike many airline seat designs, the charging ports on the Qsuite are well located in a place where you’re highly unlikely to dislodge them in your sleep.
Since virtually every Qatar Airways flight transits Doha Hamad International Airport, I tend to try and download a bunch of offline content during my layover, just to have some extra options.
Qatar Airways Qsuite Business Class Food And Drinks
There’s no telling exactly how long it will last, but Qatar Airways has brought back some outrageous selections to its business class wine menu, including Laurent Perrier Rose Champagne. Bollinger Rose and other classics are known to make an appearance to. Here’s a peek at the wines offered in Qsuites A350 business class on my flight, as viewed in Vivino, my favourite wine app…
You now know where to sit and have a good idea of what to drink. In terms of extra tips, there are a few. For starters, you’ll inevitably connect in Doha on your journey. If at all possible, it’s best to try and avoid connections which put you in Doha between 11PM-230AM, as this is when the Qatar Al Mourjan lounge tends to be rammed.
If you do find yourself there during these hours, travellers on paid business class tickets can upgrade to Al Safwa First Class lounge access for 600QAR, which is about $150USD. It’s an awful lot of money, when there’s another lounge available, but if you need a shower, a nap room or an incredible wine bar, this could easily be justified.
With plenty of overhead bin access, there’s no real reason to board first, unless you like the privilege of doing so. I generally always prefer enjoying fresh air elsewhere to being stuck in a composite tube, so if you feel the same way, don’t worry too much about finding space for your belongings. Between storage in your seat, and the oversized bins above, there’s no reason to fret, even with the insane amounts of duty free you occasionally see leaving Doha!
This may very well be the world’s best business class experience.
I flew Q-Suites on the A350-900 and back on the 1000 from Doha to Tokyo in April. I loved it. I would love to fly them again if they are flying somewhere I want to go.
I used Al Safwa first lounge for my 7 hour layover and paid the previous price of approx £50 and I enjoyed the private room and had a good sleep and a lovely shower. If I had another layover I would probably pay the extra now as Al Mourjan is not a lounge I would ever chose to stay in because it is incredibly busy.
The one thing I would add to the seating question on Q-Suites is that I don’t like to fly backwards; I get travel sick – I learnt this enjoying Club World backwards to New York last year and so I booked the correct way facing seats. I would argue it doesn’t make any difference as the door is there so you still have the privacy and are not interrupted – it just means the storage space is next to the window instead of the seat and its not like you can’t see out the window as it’s still a window seat.
Thanks for the review! Is that the new amenity kit? I was curious to see more of it, and what’s in it since the other info out there focuses on the 1st class version.
I hope to fly this next month from Houston, for something like 16 hours. Hope the glamour and food (and wine) hold up for that long a trip.
Looking forward to my IAH-DOH-MLE trip in the QSuites next month.
Why did you leave out row 7 as a preferred seat row?
Just returned from KL to London and tried Qsuites on A350-1000 and B777-200. And it was the first day on KUL-DOH for B777-200. Liked the privacy and the good quality of materials used. B777-200 didn’t have cameras so was strange not seeing the take-off and landing. Two different style of new amenity kits were available, but same contents!
Will be flying this plane in October. Since Qatar changed my original flight back through Chicago, I changed my flight through Dallas (ending up in Las Vegas), excited to be flying 777-300 Qsuite to Doha, 350-900 to Johannesburg, and finally 350-1000 back home. There weren’t many seats available back to Dallas and booked seat 7A. I too, am curious why you didn’t mention this seat? I’m as excited for the flight as I am for my actual vacation !!
Thanks for the Article
I have traveled with the Qatar airlines in business class both in the Qsuits and the Non-Qsuits setup. I love the service and the care you get. I wish they could up their games when it comes to the Whiskies they serve. What they serve is poor quality Whisky. Simply the ones we call Supermarket level.
Looking forward to trip on a Q-Suite aircraft next month JFK-DOH and DOH-JFK. After reading all the reviews it seems like you just can’t go wrong. Definitely will consider the upgrade to the Al Safwa lounge. Will report back after trip is done.
Flew IAD-BOM-IAD by Qsuites in June – all 777-300ER, the service, comfort, food and etiquette were all top notch! Not to mention I paid $65 for the first class Al Safwa lounge for a shower and lunch – totally worth it!
Am flying again in Dec, this time JFK-BOM-JFK in A350-1000 and 777-300ER Qsuites. I am sure to enjoy and relax like a first class passenger. Can’t expect anything less from Qatar. No doubt they have been voted again as the Best Business class among all.
Good job taking care of us, Qatar!
Totally agree with your review- Qatar’s Q Suites -and the service- are great and I have flown Qatar Business Class a number of times, but I’ll never fly with Qatar Airways again after a very recent experience. Why?
I paid top dollar for a Q Suite to fly QR920 from Doha to Auckland NZ in October and the electrics in my expensive seat failed shortly after takeoff- meaning the only way my seat could be reclined was after the cabin crew decoupled the electrics. That meant the seat was free to travel up or down. Problem was it couldn’t be secured in place!! The only way I could sit upright was by bracing my feet against the bulkhead in front. Turns out the guy across the aisle had exactly the same problem and wasn’t happy either!!
We both flew 17 hours in completely unsecured seats afraid to go to sleep- what if there’d been turbulence- we could have broken our necks! The landing was the worst- both of us very very nervous beforehand and just glad to be alive after!! Pretty sure a complete breach of aviation safety rules requiring passengers to be secure esp on takeoff and landing. The cabin staff said there’d been “a lot” of problems with the Q Suite seats but Qatar management was trying to keep it on the down low. The worst thing of all? Qatar Airways refused to reimburse our fares- WTF???!! Part of selling a “premium product” is providing a premium safety net for customers when things go wrong with that product.
When people pay for a premium service they are entitled to expect they will be fully looked after if the supplier is unable to deliver that service. Who in their right mind would take the risk of paying for a Q Suite if there’s a chance it could fail with no compensation? There are plenty of horror stories out there on the net from people who have had this identical Q Suite experience. Qatar seriously needs to be called out on this!!
Anybody know what the current price to upgrade to the Al Safwa Lounge is?
Al Safwa Lounge is $150 now. Talking a year ago.
Qatar are absolutely amazing in the air but a sub-continent staff mafia on the ground. Good luck if things go wrong, have problems or changes…..you’ll need the luck, trust me.
In February 2020, we were lucky enough to fly London-Adelaide return in the QSuite. It was superb from start to finish. A350-900 on the way out; smaller rear cabin was better, and almost empty. A350-1000 on the return; front cabin is better. Middle seats were great fun and a novelty, but did get a bit warm as there are no overhead air nozzles. So, rear facing window seats are the best and would probably choose window seats for a night flight, even when travelling as a couple.
On the way back, we upgraded to the Al Safwa First Lounge. Lovely twin room included for a sleep and shower; so actually not bad value and less than 10 people in the whole lounge. Easy to see why this is the world’s best lounge.