Qatar Airways sells its forward cabin as “first class” on flights within the Middle East. While the seat is identical to what is sold as business class on other routes, there are minor differences in service both on the ground and in the air that distinguish business from first class. I flew first class on Qatar Airways from Doha to Amman onboard the A330-300.
Qatar Airways A330-300 “First Class” Review
The ticket says first class, the boarding pass says first class, but it’s not like there is a special sub-fleet of planes operating routes within the Middle East that features opulent suites with caviar and lobster. No, this is similar to the way U.S. carriers characterize their forward cabin as “first class” on domestic flights.
I booked this ticket for 40,000 American Airlines miles as part of a journey from Tokyo – Doha – Amman
Al Safwa Lounge
The biggest difference between business and first class on Qatar Airways is the lounge access in Doha. I reviewed the Al Safwa First Lounge yesterday, which represents a huge selling-point for booking first class on Qatar Airways. The tranquil lounge offers a la carte dining, a full-service spa, and sleeping rooms. Business class passengers have access sonly to the Al Mourjan Lounge.
I walked to the gate about an hour before scheduled departure. Boarding commenced at 35 minutes prior to our scheduled departure.
Qatar Airways 402
Doha (DOH) – Amman (AMM)
Tuesday, March 22
Depart: 9:00 AM
Arrive: 12:20 PM
Duration: 3 hr, 20 min
Distance: 1,047 miles
Aircraft: Airbus A330 – 300
Seat: 5K (Regional “First” Class)
My flight was originally scheduled to be operated by a 777 with Qsuite business class, but exerpeicned a last-minute equipment swap, which is fairly common on Qatar Airways. No matter, I had just stepped off a 777 so this gave me a different product to review for the short journey to Jordan.
A cabin crew member greeted me as I boarded and her colleague escorted me to my seat in the last row of business class.
Seat
Certainly a downgrade from Qsuites, the business class cabin featured 30 Collins Aerospace Diamond seats arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration. That means window seats A and K do not have direct aisle access. Seats do convert in a lie-flat bed (72 inches long) and are 21 inches wide.
These are very common seats you see across airlines all over the world. While not my favorite airline seat due to the constrained footwell, this sort of seat is perfectly peasant for a three-hour daytime journey.
The seat includes a 15.4-inch built-in screen, side storage compartment for small items, coat hook, and universal power (between seats) and USB-A outlet (armrest) for charging.
Tip: Choose Row One On the Qatar Airways A330-300 for more room for your feet.
Seat controls are located near your armrest.
Overall, storage space is limited and this business class seat is hardly the best in the fleet, but it is a very practical product for shorter flights.
The cabin filled up, but thankfully the seat next to me remained empty (one reason I chose the last row once the aircraft was swapped).
I took a nap during the flight – not that I could sleep well after so much coffee for breakfast – but note that this aircraft did have individual air nozzles at each seat.
First Class Service
What separates first class from business class, in my experience, was a small cup of Arabic coffee and a date prior to takeoff. It is said that the Prophet Muhammed consumed this meal during his travels.
It’s a nice feature (something Gulf, Etihad, and Emirates offer in business class), but that represents the difference between the two cabins in terms of service.
A special shoutout to Nour, who took care of my side of the cabin and was gracious and attentive during my flight.
Food + Drink
A pre-departure beverage and packaged towel was offered prior to pushback. The orange juice was freshly-squeezed.
Meal service is theoretically on-demand on all Qatar Airways flights in business or first class. In reality, however, flight attendants generally guide service by taking your orders early in the flight and encouraging you eat after takeoff. That’s not a negative thing, but do not feel intimidated asking to eat later. Having just consumed a hearty breakfast in the Al Safwa Lounge, I asked to do this and was gladly obliged.
The menu was more limited on this three-hour journey, but still included a number of appetizer and main courses to chose from. Toward the end of the flight, I had breakfast.
This was a mistake in retrospect, because I found the catering lackluster. I tend to think that my omelet was just left in the oven too long. It was served with lamb sambousek and halloumi cheese and frankly better than most meals I would receive on a flight of that length within the USA (especially considering the fresh orange juice and berry smoothie), but not a particularly memorable meal for Qatar Airways.
Even on this regional flight, a comprehensive drink menu was available with multiple options for Champagne and an impressive wine list. Qatar does drinks well.
I stuck to Qatar’s OJ prior to boarding and then fresh OJ and smoothie with breakfast. It may have 5:00 pm somewhere, but I was not in the mood for inebriations.
One other meal-released note. In addition to the hot towel service, warmed mixed nuts were offered after takeoff, despite it being a breakfast flight.
Water bottles were also offered throughout the flight.
IFE + Wi-Fi
While Qatar Airways ostensibly offers wi-fi fleetwide, I could not connect on this flight. The signal was there – but no connection (and it wasn’t just me, because the guy across the aisle complained about it as well).
As for the in-flight-entertainment, the usual Oryx-One library of movies, TV shows, games, and auido was available…more than enough for keep you occupied for hundreds of hours, let alone three.
Noise cancelling headphones (same as on longhaul flights) were waiting at each seat.
Of course one of the best “channels” of IFE is simply to look out your window:
Amenties
No amenity kit was offered on this flight, however dental and shaving kits were offered in the lavatory.
Lavatory
The lavatory included a window and offered hand lotion and facial spray from Diptyque.
CONCLUSION
We landed to a crisp, cool, but very bright day at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman. Every time I fly into or out of AMM I enjoy seeing the old Lockheed L-1011 permanently parked off the side of the runway.
After a 15 minute taxi, we pulled up to gate and I was soon on my way to passport control. While Qatar Airways A330 business class first class was a treat, I would certainly prefer a 777 or A350 if available. But on a short daytime hop in the region, this seat and cabin is just fine.
“It is said in Islam that the Prophet Muhammed consumed this meal during his travels.”
That’s pretty much all they had then…
Also, what does “in Islam” mean, exactly? I mean, I get what you’re trying to say, but it sounds wrong.
I clarified it. You’re correct.
Islam means “One who submits to Allah”. It is a large religion, and the 2nd largest in the world.
One more thing, Allah is the god of Islam.
No way that bed is only 60 inches long!
72 inches.
I like how Qatar has an extensive nonalcoholic menu too. I wish more western carriers did that; seems like such a small investment and big impact for those who don’t drink
100% correct. It’s so nice to have fresh juices, nice teas and coffee, and even mocktails. A bit of innovation on the side of US carriers (like the cold-pressed juice JetBlue offers on redeye flights) would be wonderful.
Nice review. Best part, “ Of course one of the best “channels” of IFE is simply to look out your window:” 🙂
Truth for me! Flight path on monitor, shade up! Best part of being high is the view!
I usually scroll through the IFE part of all reviews since I’m looking out the window or reading a book. Or eating, there’s always eating in First Class
I’m looking for ANA First but from JFK – daytime and over Canada & Alaska. I’m skipping the newly released award seats from SFO. It’s an all dark flight across water. Flyers should hope for good entertainment or a good book on that flight 😉
Safe Landings
Flew AMM-DOH on their 787 in first 1-2-1 config. Extremely good flight & service.
Very impressive
Going to Amman in two weeks via Austrian Airlines. Wish I could have scored award with Qatar.
I hope to read about your stays in Jordan. I’ve got a number of nights booked in Amman, Dead Sea, Wadi Rum, Madaba, and Aqaba but can easily change them based on better information.
I assume you’ll be staying at the Grand Hyatt in Amman some?
I flew sydney to Amsterdam in November 2022.
After 8 hours of trip I developed lowerback pain and noticed that the seat I was sitting on was broke and the soft sitting part had follows down when I was sleeping.
Contacted the airhosts and obtained no help for another 1 hour I stand on travelling.
Reported to Airline staff at doha no one cared, emailed them 3 times and spoke with the airline officials and me to resend the email that I had sent 3 times.
I gave up on reporting as no logic mind was found to at least read my concern and say sorry for the trouble.
I was under the impression that a first class flight had to be over 5 hours to get Al Safwa access on arrival.
I’m traveling first between Cairo and Doha next month – before connecting in business to the US. Does that give me access to Al Safwa?
In QR First Class (auch Regional First) in DOH abfliegende Passagiere erhalten immer Zugang zu Al Safwa, es sei denn, sie haben für die Gesamtreise einen Tarif ohne Loungezugang gebucht (das gibt es). In First (auch Regional First) ankommende Passagiere erhalten auch dann Zugang zur Al Safwa, wenn sie einen QR- Anschlussflug in der höchsten vorhandenen Kabine des Anschlussfluges gebucht haben (kann also ggf. auch Business sein).
Vielen Dank. Ich war mit der Anschlussflugregelung nicht vertraut.
I’m flying Qatar airways business class from
Iad to Doha in March. When I booked it was Q suites. Unfortunately it was just downgraded to a 777200 without Q suites. I called Qatar Airways and they said their policy is to allow you to change to a qsuites flight +- 21 days from your flight if you booked a q suites flight and it changed. BUT since I booked using AA points they couldn’t help me and to call AA. Of course, AA says that since there’s no availability they can’t change it. Frustrating. But a warning – just because you book qsuites doesn’t mean it can’t change.
We are planning to fly to Cairo in September 2023 from Melbourne ( Australia) and appreciate this article because it alerts us to the opportunity to visit the first class lounge in Doha. I must ensure that our travel agent does NOT book us on the Qatar business class LITE as that may preclude access to the best lounges in Doha