Flying Business Class with Qatar Airways

Flying Business Class with Qatar Airways is like being in a 5-star hotel in the sky. It is glamorous and what flying should be about. 

Normally, when an airline blows its own trumpet (on the company’s website, it says: “The World's Best Business Class, designed for you”,) you wonder whether you might be disappointed. Having been extremely underwhelmed with British Airways Business Class from London to Seoul, I did not want to get my hopes up too high. I need not have worried. Qatar and its new Qsuites fulfilled every promise. In fact the experience was even better than I could possibly have imagined. 

Qatar Airways QSuites

My first flight was on the airline's Airbus A330-300 from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Doha, Qatar’s capital city. From the moment I got on board the crew made me feel special. I had no sooner sat down in my roomy pod when a stewardess introduced herself and said she would be looking after me on the flight. I was asked if I would like a glass of champagne before take-off which I willing accepted. 

After handing me a rather tempting menu, (you can eat when you want and what you want) she explained how the entertainment system worked, including the free wi-fi. She also showed me how to manoeuvre the seat into different positions, from flat to upright. There is a universal power plug and USB port should you need to charge any of your appliances. There was a bottle of water in one of the storage recesses which was a nice touch.

The crew seem to anticipate your needs. After discovering that I was staying in Doha, my stewardess wrote down a list of things to see and do in the city without me asking.

I was also presented with a set of PJs from the White Company as well as a Giorgio Armani cosmetic purse filled with a large tube of his Sì Body Lotion and a small bottle of the matching fragrance.

After take-off I watched a movie on my large touch-screen TV monitor while decadently enjoying a glass of Lanson rosé champagne accompanied by a bowl of scrumptious mixed hot nuts.

For dinner I finally chose a prawn salad to start followed by salmon. The food was delicious. (I was still hungry after my meal with BA Business Class and had to have a sandwich an hour later. Qatar also offered far more choice.) 

Qatar Airways QSuites

Beautifully served, course by course, it was just like being in a high-quality restaurant. The wine list was extensive so no problem in finding one or two great numbers to savour including a rather good Chablis Premier Cru. For pudding I opted for the fresh fruit platter, again a good-sized portion. I also had a plate of berries before I landed.

A feature that I particularly liked was the LED mood-lighting which helps passengers cope better with time differences. All I had to do was relax. The bed was so comfortable that I actually slept. (I find it difficult to sleep on planes.) The lighting must have worked because I certainly did not feel jaded at all when I arrived in Doha despite it being in the middle of the night.

At Hamad International Airport, Doha, the Business Class Lounge was on two floors, the upper being a restaurant where there was a lovely buffet, which was always being replenished, and a superb bar. There are also showers in the lounge should you need to freshen up. Despite its size it was soothing and peaceful.

From Doha, I boarded the Boeing 787-8 in trepidation thinking that the second time maybe disappointing. I need not have worried. Same excellent service by another multicultural professional crew. The Dreamliner has improved air-quality so again I did not get that jetlagged feeling when I got off the plane.

The Business Class cabin has been cleverly designed with the overhead lockers being recessed to make it feel spacious. 

This time I did not get a sleep suit from the White Company as the flight was slightly shorter but I did get a super bright yellow cosmetic purse from Bric’s, the Italian luxury luggage brand, which was filled with a mask, socks and goodies from Rituals.

Qatar Airways makes flying a pleasure. Just what the sophisticated traveller wants. The only problem, Qatar, is that you have spoilt me for travelling with any other airline.

By Daralyn Danns

For best rates visit qatarairways.com Qatar also has flights from Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham as well as Heathrow. There are now flights from Cardiff to Doha