The Best Business Class in the sky:

Qatar Airways QSuites

Qatar Airways QSuites business class has been regarded as the single best business class in the sky for quite some time ( Some rumors of ANA’s The Room as a rival exist ). This past spring, I not only had the opportunity to fly in them, but take over 4 QSuites, join them together, and experience the entire thing with my parents and best friend. Here’s a full review, including video, how we booked, miles we used, food, pajamas, lounge, the whole shebang.

Flight Details:

• When: May 2019
• Flight: QR 729
• Flight time: 15h40m
• Route: Doha to Dallas
• Plane: Boeing 777-300ER
• Seat: 2G
• Class: Business Class
• Booked with: 70k AA miles + $50

Check out our YouTube review here:

 

Booking

I’m a geek for deals, and a nerd for finding availability and routing combinations.  Last year, when my family started to put together a trip to Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, I immediately knew how I wanted to fly home: In Qatar Airways QSuites.

Finding the space

I put together an entire post on how I found availability which you can read here, but we used 70k AA miles + $50 per person, to make it happen.

This is an absolute steal and one of the best possible ways to redeem AA miles. Ultimately, after a few adjustments, this was the routing we ended up booking with our miles:

• Amman to Doha on Royal Jordanian Business Class
• Doha to Dallas on Qatar Airways QSuites 777-300ER
• Dallas to ( IND, CMH, and LAX )
  • 2 people to IND, 1 to CMH, and 1 to LAX

The sheer joy in getting a single ticket booked with points in Qsuites is pretty awesome. But, the fact that I was able to fly my parents, and my best friend right alongside me…well, now that booking is cause of celebration.

Getting all four seats together in a Quad

If you’re looking do emulate what I did, one read that post, but also read how I was able to book a Quad. These 4 seat configurations are blocked, and can only be accessed if booking multiple tickets on a single PNR, or by calling into Qatar Airways and providing them with the PNRs of separate bookings and manually selecting the seats. This is what we did.

If you’re looking to book this flight using AA miles like we did, you’ll want to use this post to access AA’s old award calendar otherwise you’ll find it very difficult to sort through the options. Once you do, you’ll see flights show up like this:

Note that the route is currently serviced by an A350-1000 – Qatar’s latest aircraft. The plane servicing each route will vary but the product is much the same

If you have any questions as to whether your plane will feature the QSuites or if they will offer one of Qatar Airways other business class seats, then look at the seatmap

A baked in stop in Doha:

As you could see in our itinerary, we flew in from Jordan the night before our flight and as a result were able to bake in a night at the St Regis Doha. One, our flight was super early, and two I always think seeing another country/city is a great idea even if for a night. As luck would have it, we were upgraded to an Empire Suite with Amex FHR benefits.

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Arrival to Doha Airport

If you haven’t had the pleasure of flying through Hamad International Airport then you are in for an absolute treat. The airport, not just the lounges, is simply next level. If you’re flying in business class our of Doha you’ll be treated to entire check-in experience that sets the stage for what’s to come in the lounge, and then in flight.

You’ll be greeted by bellhops that will load your bags onto a cart and guide you to check in

From there you’ll check in at any number of stations which make the process super easy and stress free. You’ll then proceed through security, especially for premium cabin travelers, and then off to the lounge.

The Business Class Lounge experience

The Qatar Airways Business Class lounge is regarded by many as the best business class lounge in the world.  Having read numerous reviews ahead of time I was very eager to check it out myself. It did not disappoint.

Finding the lounge ” Al Mourjan “

Before heading to the CDE gates you’ll head to the left and up a set of escalators. Make sure you don’t get fooled by the One World lounge, and instead keep going.

Inside

If you’re wondering how big the lounge may be, the check-in desk should give you some indication. It’s absolutely massive, and a testament to Qatar Airways staff, that the lounge in not only in such good condition, but that the service is so efficient and refined.

There are two restaurants, multiple seating areas, smoking rooms, etc. It wouldn’t be a bad place to spend a multi hour layover, but alas, we were off to our QSuites flight and only had about a half an hour at the lounge.

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Qatar Airways QSuites 777-300ER First Look

All I can say is WOW. Qatar Airways QSuites are split into 2 cabins, each fit with 2 quads. The Forward cabin, where we were sitting occupied rows 1-6, and then the rear cabin occupies rows 7-11. It’s funny, traditionally I’m not a fan of these colors, but in this cabin, with the lighting and finishes, it looks fantastic.Few products live up to the marketing materials sent out featuring perfect lighting and professional pohtography, but this is one that truly does, if not exceed them.

Where to sit:

Singles

There really isn’t a bad seat on the plane, but if you’re traveling alone you want rows 1,3,5,8, or 10. These will put you right up next to the window and away from the aisle.

If those are taken, you’d end up with one of these seats which are closer to the aisle, but still feature a door, and windows.

For Couples and Families

There are two styles of seats in the center, and if you’re traveling in a group of four, like we were, then you can open the entire Quad up to socialize all together.  There is truly nothing like this across all other airlines.

If you don’t know the entire party in your quad, you’ll have two choices of center seating styles. The first is if you want to get cozy. This is what my parents chose in row 1. As you can see below, they are right next to one another and can be made into a single bed.

The second is if you are just buddies, don’t want to cuddle, or just want more of your own space.

Pre-departure drinks. Nothing like some Brose to get things started off right.

Seat Tour

The seat is gorgeous, offers a ton of storage, beautiful finishes, and converts into a fully flat bed.

All of the seating controls are under the sliding tv screen, and as you can see, looked newarly brand new.

IFE

The television screens are not only large, they slide back and forth to either give privacy in the Quad or open up for everyone to socialize.

Storage

Qatar Airways did a huge service to passengers by making the armrest a storage haven. It’s deep, partitioned, and can hold your personal items with ease. There is just one downside…no storage under the footwell.

Amenity Kit + Pajamas

The amenity kit is from Bricks and features all fo the normal things: toothbrush, lotion, eyemask, etc. Other items you may need, like razors can be found int he bathroom. Additionally, Qatar provides a SUPER comfy set of pajamas that I still enjoy on a regular basis.

Service and Food

The entire crew is polished and provides a refined and tailored experience. It’s akin to first class in a business class cabin from the quality of the food, to the on demand nature of dining. You can dine when you want, how much you want, etc. There is no fixed time, and as long as they have food to serve you, which they do run out, you can have it whenever you want. FANTASTIC

As you can see…I ate a lot. I would highly recommend the Salmon, shrimp, and the mezze. In fact, I had 3 salmons. Dont’ tell anyone.

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The menu:

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Bed Mode:

Every seat in QSuites very private because of the door, but because the padded the armrest/storage container, the otherwise narrow seat feels roomier than it does on other planes featuring the same seat, but with out the door and finishes. Ulimately I slept a few hours, but opted to watch movies, have bubbles, and eat my weight in food.

Overall

Qatar Airways QSuites is an insane way to fly, and if you can book 4 suites together to enjoy it with special people in your lives – it doesn’t get much better. I can’t lobby hard enough to strategize on how you can use your American miles for theis redemption, either to the middle east as a final destination, or in a better way, to Africa for just 75k points. yes, you could start in LA, fly 16 hours to Doha, have a night at the St Regis, and continue on to your safari in absolute luxury.