Flying Qatar Business Class
We have flown on Qatar business class many times over the past few years. One thing we always find, is their commitment to providing a consistent product offering. This is true of the high quality of their on-board product, and the high standards of their service. They also operate a range of new planes making every journey a pleasant one.
We have flown on their flagship A380, the Dreamliner and now the A350. So let me tell you why you probably won’t believe how good Qatar business class can be.
Check In and Lounge Access in Singapore
I was flying from Singapore to London via Doha. Check-in at Changi International Airport is always easy. For business class travellers, there is a dedicated check-in line, and I was served very promptly. My boarding passes for both my A350 flights were issued, and I was offered an invitation to use the lounge.
Qatar Airways uses the dnata lounge in Singapore. It’s a smaller lounge, and fairly basic, but it has most things covered. There are several areas to sit, including a small private room, where reading material is displayed. It’s tucked away to your left on entry, so it doesn’t get a lot of traffic.
There is a small buffet with some spirits and beer available to help yourself to. One red and one white wine are also available, but no champagne sadly. Not a lounge to spend a lot of time in but it’s comfortable enough as you await your flight.
Qatar Business Class – The Beautiful Cabin
Once boarding is announced in the lounge, it’s time to head to the plane and discover just how good Qatar business class can be.
On entering the A350, the first thing you will notice is the amount of space. The design of the entry to the Qatar business class cabin is beautiful. You will notice a lovely high counter in the central area, which separates the two Qatar business class cabins. Later in the flight this is set up as a self-serve bar for business class passengers.
The lighting and colour scheme make this a very inviting area, and a lovely welcome to the plane.
As you move into the main business class cabin to your left, you’ll notice a wide, spacious cabin laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration. Every seat is a good seat in Qatar business class. All business class seats recline into a fully flat bed, heaven!
There is another, smaller business class cabin behind the reception area. This doesn’t often get very full, so it’s a good spot to snag some peace and quiet on your flight. Look for this area when you are selecting your seats.
The Qatar Business Class Seat
Qatar’s business class window seats are very well designed. They face towards the window, giving maximum viewing opportunities. Why haven’t more airlines thought of this awesome idea?!
The middle seats are ideal for both people traveling in pairs, and individual passengers. A privacy divider will give you the separation you need if you don’t know the person seated beside you.
Each Qatar business class seat has masses of room. They not only have lots of space for you, due to excellent legroom, they also have great storage space as well! There is a pull out drawer at ground level for storing your shoes, which is a very thoughtful addition by Qatar.
Qatar Business Class Amenities
On each of my two flights, a soft pillow and good sized blanket or duvet was awaiting me at my seat. These have a luxury feel about them, adding to your comfort for the flight.
On the armrest, there are very easy to use seat controls. The controls allow you to get the seat into the position you find most relaxing.
At shoulder height is a reading light, that can be positioned to suit you, a water bottle and a place for magazine storage.
Qatar business class provides beautiful amenities kits in a range of colours. They are made by BRIC. They come with a lovely range of the essentials you may need throughout the flight. This includes moisturiser, lip balm, eye shades and socks.
The hard shell case is a great take away to use at home for a range of purposes. This reusability is something I love! Many airlines kits are thrown away after the flight, which is a real waste!
Being Entertained in Qatar Business Clas
One of the things I love about newer planes are the cameras mounted on the fuselage. They allow you to see what’s happening outside, which is awesome. These are particularly good at take off and landing.
The Qatar A350 has three cameras to view, but my favourite would be the tail camera. From this angle you can see the whole plane, and the surrounding area. Some of my favourite views from this camera include the runway view while flying, and the approach to land. Incredible!
This is exactly the type of entertainment which adds another dimension to flying Qatar business class.
Naturally there are also more conventional entertainment options to fill in your time aboard. Qatar business class provides large screens to view an extensive range of media options.
All the latest movies, as well as TV, are available at your finger tips. The entertainment system on board, called Oryx One, is very good and easy to use. The noise cancelling headphones supplied in Qatar business class are of a reasonable quality. You can easily settle in for the flight and watch movies all day (or night) as you fly to your destination.
Eating and Drinking in Qatar Business Class
Qatar business class offers a dine on demand service. This allows you to eat anything from the menu, in any order, at any time. I love this style of dining. It suits my body clock and helps me to plan to get into the time zone I am travelling to.
It also allows for the fact I have probably eaten something in the club before boarding. I love the fact it lets me control when and what I eat.
Qatar business class always starts with a welcome glass of champagne or water, and the offer of a hot or cold towel. Menus are usually available at your seat or offered during the boarding process.
The crew will come by to chat to you about the food and ask when and what you might like to eat. I’ll often tell them that I will have something to eat about two hours into the flight. This allows me to maximise my rest, relaxation or work time on board.
The Qatar Business Class Menu
The Qatar business class menu always has a good range of choices. If the Arabic mezzes is offered, I highly recommend it. It wasn’t an option on this flight, but it is to die for!
I started with the grilled prawns with chunky pomelo salad, it was delicious. Following this with the beef, which was nicely plated with roasted asparagus, mushrooms and tomatoes, was a good choice. I paired my main dish with a glass of the very good Hollick Shiraz – it went down a treat.
I’m an absolute lover of a cheese plate and the offering in business class was just right, in size and variety. You should definitely try it out on your next Qatar business class flight.
Snacks are available throughout the flight from the self-serve business class bar in the middle of the cabin.
Expert Traveller Recommends…
Qatar business class is a top-quality, consistent product that we love flying. The comfortable seat with ample storage, and the entertaining range of movies and external cameras to view, are highlights.
The on demand dining also makes for a very relaxing and enjoyable flight experience. We also love the highly trained cabin crew, who go out of their way to make you feel welcome and special.
We’ll definitely be flying Qatar business class again and suggest you give it a try to. You won’t be disappointed!