Qatar Airways Business Class: A Review

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Qatar Airways is often ranked amongst the world’s best airlines, and straight up I couldn’t agree more. They are my airline of choice for visiting Asia, with almost any destination accessible from London via a connection in Doha.

Qatar Airways business class product is called the Q suite, and a suite it is, with a closing door, high walls and loads of space. It is the best business class product I’ve ever experienced and I’m going to review it today based on return flights between London Heathrow and Phuket Thailand.


  1. Contents
  2. At the Airport
  3. Cabin & Seat
  4. Food & Drink
  5. Service
  6. Price

Flying from London, Qatar Airways has a brilliant lounge at Terminal 4, the use of which is included as part of the business class ticket. The lounge is spotless, offers a wide selection of drinks and the most delicious buffet food. Before my flight I had stuffed my face on totally delicious curry, rice, roti, daal, salads, cakes, biscuits….yum. Also included in London is priority check in and fast track via a private security line not accessible to other airlines/non business class passengers.

And the lounge’s buffet area

All Qatar Airways flights in to Asia transit via Doha (a 7hr flight from London). Doha offers one of the most amazing airports in the world, and gorgeous lounges for business class passengers whichever terminal you fly in to. The lounges have lovely showers, multiple restaurant options, huge areas to relax in and free WIFI. Again the food was amazing and included in the price of the business class ticket. We now have a go to ‘spot’ in the lounge that we love, freshen up with a shower, eat some food, and get ready to board for the next half of the journey.

Returning home from other Asian countries back through to Doha and onwards to London, there are partner lounges all over the continent. In Phuket we had access to a lounge which, whilst not on the scale of London or Doha’s, offered a decent food selection, comfy chairs and nice toilets. You’ll be directed to the correct partner lounge at the business class check-in.

Airport Score: 9/10


This is where Qatar stands apart from the likes of British Airways. The business class Q Suite Cabin is truly outstanding.

Entering the seat, there is a sliding door. Inside the cabin you have a large seat which extends to a 6ft2 bed, a large touch screen TV, a side seat which opens up as storage for shoes and belongings, a table, and loads of space to move around.

My seat on the flight from Heathrow to Doha (window seat)

If you’re in a window seat you are in a singular suite, and if you’re in a middle seat you can either be in a singular seat, or move the barrier between you and the person next to you to convert to a double suite with a double bed in the middle (with 2 separate TV screens so you can still be together but separate).

My husband and I don’t actually like doing this as we like our own plane time and tend to just annoy each other as inevitably one wants the light on to read whilst the other sleeps etc, so we tend to book separate seats!!

Happily in my Q suite on the Doha to London leg (middle seat)

Toiletries are also provided, including compression socks, eye mask, lip balm, moisturisers etc. Toothbrush and toothpaste sets are provided in the much larger than normal plane bathrooms.

Cabin Score: 9/10


Delicious. And I don’t like airplane food. Qatar Airways serves a three course meal, depending on time of day, on each flight. As an example, on the way our I had a Middle Eastern mezze with hot roti and hummus, followed by a chicken Biryani and fresh fruit for a dessert. It was sooo tasty!

The food on the other flights was just as incredible – in fact so good I ate it before I thought to take any photos which is the best review it could get really.

An in flight wine menu is also offered, including everything from champagne to reds, as well as an extensive cocktail menu. I had a Cuba Libre and some bubbly rose and both were great quality. There are also lots of soft drinks on offer too, as well as snacks such as popcorn, biscuits and even an afternoon tea with scones.

Food & Drink Score: 8/10


Flight attendants are lovely on Qatar Airways. Firstly, they always refer to me as ‘Miss Hannah’ which I quite like, and they are always there but never pushy. The lovely Maggie on board the Doha to London route even went so far as to tuck me in and leave me some water and a cold flannel for when I woke up, as I’d fallen asleep with my blanket off. I initially thought it must have been my husband, but shouldn’t have been so foolish!

In my seat London to Doha

Overall I’d describe the service as attentive but respectful of space which is exactly how I like it. You also have a service button in your control panel of the suite so you can just ring a bell whenever you need anything.

Service Score: 8/10


Qatar Airways isn’t the cheapest business class option. That said, it’s part of the One World Alliance with British Airways meaning I use my Avios points to fly with them. I collect Avios during the year- via spend on Amex credit cards, on short haul BA flights, the weekly shop and as much other shopping as possible via the BA shopping portal, all hotel bookings via Booking.com, plus my husband’s work travel adds a chunk. Every year we earn an average of 400,000 Avios from the above.

For the London Heathrow return to Phuket business class flights, I paid £480 plus 192,500 Avios per person. Cash equivalent would have been £4,330 per person.

This is much more expensive in points and cash value than booking using Avios on British Airways flights (E.g. I flew return to Costa Rica from London for £300 and 75,000 Avios per person). In my opinion though, if you have the points (or the cash!), Qatar is a truly brilliant airline well worth the additional cost.

Price score: 6/10


What do you think? Would you like to fly Qatar Airways Business Class? If you’re interested, you can also compare it to my review of British Airways Business Class Review. Stay safe and happy travelling!

43 responses to “Qatar Airways Business Class: A Review”

  1. Qatar Airlines looks like they offer an amazing business class Hannah, and added the frosting on the cake to your vacation. The lounges with the generous amenities simply enhance the entire experience. I’m so glad you had a lovely vacation from start to finish!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They truly do, I absolutely love flying with them on my points – it always feels like such a treat and actually a part of the holiday 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. For sure – felt very lucky!

      Like

  2. Great review! For all of the reasons you mentioned, QR is the world’s best business class IMO. It is even better than first class on some airlines (looking at you American). Other airlines are catching up in terms of the business-class hard product. QR’s business-class food, lounges and service keep it just ahead of some of the really nice Asian carriers.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much John. It really is am amazing business class product, and I agree better than first on some Airlines for sure. And the food – delicious. The only competitor for me is Emirates, but it’s still *slightly* behind due to the lounges and food I agree.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. It’s a dream of mine to fly business class, and I’ve heard good things about Qatar Airways’! Food and service look great and I’m glad you got to have a comfortable flight enroute to Thailand!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I really hope you get to one day – my only way is collecting points constantly all year and then splurging!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Wow, what a great way to travel. Lucky you! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was truly a special experience.

      Like

  5. Anonymous

    I would DEFINITELY like to fly Qatar Airways Business Class! 🙂

    Like

  6. I would DEFINITELY like to fly Qatar Airways Business Class! 🙂 MEl

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hehe – me too again, it definitely felt like part of the holiday for sure 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. I’ve never flown with Qatar Airways before, but booking a Q suite cabin looks like a lovely way to treat yourself on a flight.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Definitely, my favourite way to spend my airmiles is on those special upgrades 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Oh, I wouldn’t complain at all about a seat like that on Qatar Airways … if only for the food and drinks (both in the lounges and on the plane)! Lucky girl!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Honestly it was amazingggg

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Looks like the only way I’d like to fly! What a fab experience, it’s good to treat yourself 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. For sure – I get such a kick out of saving points all year and then splurging on something special (such an accountant with my spreadsheets and everything!)

      Like

  10. An excellent review. I’ve only flown the older style Qatar business class so look forward to experiencing this one sometime!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much Marion, and I’m excited for when you get to try the new Q Suite – it’s truly brilliant.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. The accommodations, food and drink all look wonderful, Hannah. Very comfortable and spacious seating, too – and, good service. Thanks for sharing, my friend 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Phil, it was a lovely experience 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. The lounge and food on board looks amazing! Definitely a good use of the points.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I am always so happy when I see my points built up and knowing I can treat myself 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. now this is the high life travel experience we all dream about 🙂 looks like a fantastic way to fly

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was absolutely amazing, I am so grateful for my points 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  14. It’s so spectacular that it makes me wonder how they could possibly up the experience for first class!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re right, and I’ll never have enough points to find out!!!

      Like

  15. Wow, this is just so unlike anything I’ve ever experienced! It’s so luxurious.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was amazing, it’s such an amazing way to be able to splurge my points 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Wow, what an incredible experience! That’s by far the best looking airline food I’ve ever seen. It actually looks like real food! Good to hear it tasted as good as it looks.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It tasted like real food too, honestly it was restaurant quality. Absolutely delicious.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Amazing! What a nice experience. You look very happy too. 🙋💗

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It really was, and I was very happy with my drinks relaxing 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. This is nice 👍

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Wow! What a treat :)!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Wow, I learned a lot after seeing your post.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. […] worth noting you can also book partner airline flights using Avios, my favourite of which is Qatar Airways. This is more expensive and always needs a change in Doha. I’ll be reviewing QA […]

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  21. Anonymous

    I always fly BA generally Business but Economy on short haul. On our recent trip to The Maldives we flew Qatar as part of the One World Alliance and decided to spend a lot more money on the hotel and flew Qatar economy. It was dreadful, inattentive crew, late meals and then when it came cold having to be sent back and 6 minutes waiting for a glass of water! I agree the lounge @ Doha are excellent and the flight attendant from Doha to Male was appalled at my story and in contrast was good. I was so incensed I complained to Qatar and in fairness received a quick reply hoping that my next flight would be a “better experience”. Not likely to try as it seems they prioritise only those turning left passengers.

    Liked by 2 people

  22. Anonymous

    Very surprised at the way Qatar processes payment. I had made a booking using miles and decided to cancel my flight the same day I made the booking as there was a clash with a schedule my wife had. I processed the cancellation and was required to pay $25.00 per person for the cancellation. Though US has a rule that is honored by most airlines regardless if it is a revenue or a milage ticket there is no charge for the cancellation. Nonetheless, I think $25.00 is a reasonable amount given they do have some labor cost involved and am happy to pay. However, the surprising part is the kind of information they ask you to process the credit card charge. All the usual is fine until the following 2 questions are asked which is so out of the norm. 1. Nationality. 2. Issuing bank. I can handle the issuing bank part but to ask for my Nationality to process the payment crosses the line. Just wanted others to be aware.

    Like

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About the author

Hi! My name is Hannah, I’m a travel blogger from the UK who fits travel around a full time (and full on) job. In this blog I share my adventures around the world and hopefully help you to find some inspiration for destinations, things to do or places to stay. Thanks for stopping by – stay safe and happy travelling.

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