It’s really funny how little we are willing to accept in a business class product after flying Qatar Airways, especially onboard a longhaul A350-1000 flight in business class.
Qatar Airways A350-1000 Business Class – My First Impressions
I recently flew from Dallas to Doha onboard Qatar’s flagship A350-1000 aircraft. This aircraft is at the heart of the battle between Qatar Airways and Airbus, but I am happy to the report the exterior paint problems did not diminish from the remarkably positive onboard experience.
The Qsuite is an industry-leading business class seat; I’d give it an edge over even ANA’s The Room or JAL Apex Suite. Not only is comfortable in virtually any position you fancy, but it is remarkably private once the doors are shut. I discount the value of doors in business class in general, but the Qsuite doors do (theoretically) provide more privacy (though my door failed to latch shut despite my best efforts and that of the flight attendants). It was a bumpy flight and the door constantly slid open, creating more of an annoyance than benefit. That said, had I been able to actually “lock” the door I do concede that the privacy this seat provides remains cutting-edge in business class.
Service on this flight was well-intentioned, though I felt like my expectations were perhaps too high. While service was not proactive, reactive service is understandable when a 46-seat business class cabin is served a la carte style over a 15-hour flight. In other words, beyond the initial meal service order prior to takeoff, I was not approached by a FA unless I rang my call button (which was encouraged). While that may be common in so much of the world, I still feel bad pressing the button…I’ve received too many glares from United flight attendants over the years (not recently) to feel comfortable pressing it. But that’s my issue…
Oh what a feast for dinner after takeoff.
Warmed mixed nuts and a glass of rosé Champagne to start.
Next, a lovely mezze (not the traditional Arabic mezze).
Then soup.
Followed by salad.
Succulent herb-encrusted rack of lamb for the main course.
Followed by cheese.
And finally strawberry ice cream, fresh berries, and cappuccino.
I love the flickering “candle” (electronic) served with dinner and while courses are now served on a tray with a paper liner (this was not always the case), I felt the quality and the presentation was tremendous.
And then I changed into my pajamas and slept…at least I tried. For the next 1o hours I earnestly tried, though for whatever reason this was an extremely rough flight.
I woke up and enjoyed a breakfast of sliced fruit with a hot croissant, fresh-squeezed orange juice, cappuccino, yogurt with granola, cheese omelet, and a latte for good measure.
And then there was still time to go back to sleep, though I could not fall asleep, pulled out my laptop, and began working (internet onboard was speedy). I could have also enjoyed a library of over 100 movies.
Still peckish, I enjoyed afternoon tea just before landing, including finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream.
What a culinary feast in business class that really sets the standard when it comes to business class dining (even outshining fellow Gulf carriers Emirates and Etihad).
I landed in Doha to a beautiful sunset.
CONCLUSION
Qatar Airways demonstrated once again that it offers a leading business class and is no longer using the pandemic to justify cutbacks to service. To experience Qatar Airways is to experience the superlative business class product.
I will share many more details about my fight, including amenities, menus, IFE, and more in my full review.
I took this flagship Qsuite service from DOH to SFO and it was delightful. The flight attendants allowed passengers to remove masks if our suite doors were shut (not that the air was isolated in any practical way). The on-demand meal service was exceptional and super flexible.
What I forgot was that I was in a rear-facing suite along the windows–so much so that I couldn’t figure out the landmarks (they were on the opposite side of the plane). If an aircraft can make me forget which direction I’m facing, then that’s a win. Obviously it’s clear from takeoff and landing. But cruising altitude on an almost 16 hour flight this is remarkable.
I’ve flown this flight every year for the past 5 and largely concur with the review. I love the A35K and the QSuite hard product and consider both to be best in class. The aircraft is so quiet and comfortable and the Q Suite itself is spacious with a fantastic IFE screen. What holds it back for me a from being the best are a few minor details that should be addressed.
One, the bedding isn’t very good – The mattress pad could do with being a little thicker and the blankets could be a little more comfortable. Two, while the service and presentation is fantastic, I think the food is mediocre. They appear to have gone for a quantity over quality approach that offers a lot of fantastic sounding options in huge serving sizes that somehow always end up feeling just a little bit disappointing after. The mezze is a great example – well presented in generous quantities but ultimately disappointing from a taste perspective. I flew LHR-IAH on a fairly old BA 789 recently and while the hard product was dated and not even in the same ballpark as the Q Suite, the food was fantastic compared to what you get with QR. Three, while DOH is a nice, clean, relatively small airport to connect through the US gates are a mess with security delays even for Q Suite passengers and large crowds crammed in to small areas. This could be handled better imo.
Other than these minor quibbles I think the QR A35K + Q Suite is still one of the best ways to fly long haul but I’d point out that the competition is beginning to catch up and I might actually try something different this winter when the World Cup could make travel via DOH a mess.
“the traditional Arabic mezze”
Considering how a “traditional” Arabic mezze usually includes over a dozen dishes, no business class could offer a traditional mezze. On board, Emirates’ first class comes the closest, since they offer the most amount of dishes.
compare that to the garbage you were served on your recent UA business class flight. its why i’ll never waste my miles flying business class on US based carriers. Qatar is superlative.
Sliding door = bring blue tape!
Matt, what would you honestly believe the FA’s (even the United witches) would do if you push the call button? The pictograph is literally a server… the worst thing happening to me was that if I wanted anything else I got invited to the galley to have it and hang out with the crew (in a very professional way). 🙂
I just hate the eye rolls and the feeling that I am a burden, even if that is their job. To be fair, most are happy to respond to the call button with a smile…but those few with bad attitudes…I sort of take the safe approach because it makes me so uncomfortable to deal with the occasional grumpy one.
I feel the same, but like you, I have based that feeling on 20 years of flying with crusty old FAs on US carriers that only have international routes and premium cabins because of their seniority.
All the food looks really good! The berries look so sweet. Now I’m hungry…I gotta investigate flying to Doha!
In response to Jetlaggedaf: US gates experienced by me are truly the pits. LA is to avoided at all cost, especially moving from domestic to international. DFW is a far better option, with Miami as an entry point is a nightmare. Why is it that the majority of entry points into the USA treat all arrivals with a maximum of disdain and inflict as much discomfort as possible?
Interesting that you described Doha as a relatively small airport and yet its capacity to comfortably accommodate the hordes that annually pass through it makes your assessment curious
I think he meant the US bound airline gates in Doha, which are a mess, compared to the rest of the airport. Not US gateways you referred to, which are also a complete mess.
I haven’t flown into or out of DOH in over ten years, but at the time the premium terminal kept you isolated from all of the other craziness in the main buildings.
I meant the outbound US gates in DOH. Easily the worst experience at the Airport. It is smaller than DXB, LHR, CDG, FRA, NRT, IST and SIN when it comes to transit airports. I’m not sure what the physical footprint is but it seems to take far less time to connect from gate to gate at DOH. It’s a fairly new airport so hopefully the US gate experience improves. What’s critical for me when it comes to QR is they need to patch things up with Airbus because the 35K is by far their best platform for ULH flights. If I had to fly their B77L sans Q Suite on the same route, it would likely push me to consider the competition more frequently.
Putin attacked Ukraine because of a secret deal he made an American fast food chain. In exchange for kicking out all other fast food restaurants, Putin is guaranteed fifty percent profit of all soft serve ice cream and all other frozen treats.
You are talking more about food than anything else…but its not the main issue when travelling long haul . The room for your feet is key and not to have the impression to be in a coffin. The widness at the shoulder level . You never mention that . The bathroom size . All of this important features are never mentioned, as you keep talking about smiles of the crew and dinner or breakfast but if you are a frequent traveler you don’t really care about that you want a business class as close as possible to first class .
You really don’t understand the point of this “first impression” post (a regular series on this blog). This isn’t a review – everything you mention will be covered in the actual review of the flight. Just stay tuned.
Would it not be very cheap to provide a nice crisp clean Egyptian cotton sheet on the bed to enhance the sleeping experience?