Qatar Airways Business class review
- Jan Johannessen
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Notes from the sky: The world's best or just business as usual?
Qatar Airways business class has been named the world's best several times. But how good is it?
We knew that Skytrax World Airline Awards had named Qatar Airways the best airline in the world eight times and its business class the world's best eleven times. Quite an achievement. Now, in the waiting hall at the Oslo airport, we were just about to find out how good the Qatar airliner was. On the boarding pass, it said 'Doha,' and we noted that the seats were in row 1, Business Class.
Before anything else is said, an essential feature of business class is the seat itself. Qatar Airways business class seats differ from one aircraft type to another. Therefore, the business class experience will vary slightly depending on whether you fly with one aircraft type instead of another, even if the service level remains consistent.
Boarding
Aboard, we find our seats in the first row, very private. The seats are angled in a fan-like formation. Window seats face diagonally away from the aisle. In a one-plus-two-plus-one configuration, the middle seats face the aisle, away from the other middle seats. No need for eye contact aboard this aircraft.
Between our middle seats, there is a partition that can be lowered, if desired, allowing you to see and talk to your passenger on the other side. This ensures privacy if you're travelling alone and end up in a middle seat or allows for socialising or collaboration if you're travelling in pairs.
Before Take-off
When seated, I am offered a glass of champagne. I opted for a Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve.
-Oh, that's good coffee, my colleague exclaims from the seat to my left. She has just been served Arabic coffee in small, exquisite cups accompanied by dates. I am offered a cup, too, and she's absolutely right. The coffee tastes wonderful. It's a great start before we've even left the gate.
Here in the business class cocoon – because the seat feels a bit like that as if you're in your own little world – you quickly feel at home. There is ample space and plenty of storage for both personal belongings and everything from toiletries to the headphones provided by the airline in this class.
The take-off was silky smooth, and for a moment, I wondered if it was the champagne that made it feel that way or if sitting at the front of the aircraft provided an extra good experience as we rolled down the runway.
The Seat
The seat adjustments are tricky to manoeuvre until you truly understand which buttons to press to achieve the most comfortable sitting or reclining position. However, that's a minor that doesn't significantly impact the overall experience.
When the seat is fully reclined, it feels completely flat, but it's pretty cramped for the feet as they tuck under the armrest of the seat in front. I'm only 1.70m tall, and for someone taller, the "bed" might feel a bit short.
If you need power for your laptop or to charge your mobile phone or other devices, the seat is equipped with standard power outlets for regular plugs and the somewhat outdated USB-A output. Qatar should urgently upgrade to USB-C here.
There's plenty of space to put down glasses, a laptop, or whatever else you need to set aside. The fold-out table is large.
There's a large touch-screen monitor and a dedicated game controller, which is great if you're travelling with children or just want to be a bit childish yourself. The film selection is relatively large but could be even broader. One wishes for even more blockbuster films that have recently been released for this market.
Wellness Kit
Qatar Airways offers a luxurious wellness kit from Diptyque containing body lotion, lip balm, face cream, and fresh perfume. All beautifully packaged. In addition, it includes a face mask to keep light out, socks to keep your feet warm and earplugs for undisturbed sleep. The latter isn't entirely necessary; the cabin itself is quiet.
The Dining Experience
When flying business class, food and drink are a significant differentiator from economy class. In economy class, you often have to settle for whatever the airline has decided, with food usually wrapped in plastic and cutlery somewhat impractical.
In business class, you can choose from delicious dishes, fine wines served in proper wine glasses, real cutlery, and, not least, ample space to enjoy your meal. Should you need to get up and leave your seat for a while, even in the middle of a meal, there's room for that, too. You don't feel like you're on a plane but rather in a restaurant. Qatar Airways consistently delivers an exceptional service experience.
The menu is varied:
Appetisers:
Cream of celeriac soup
Classic Arabic mezze with pita bread
Dill-marinated tiger prawn and paprika scallop
Main Courses:
Grilled black Angus beef fillet with herb jus
Qatari hamour mashkool with spiced yogurt
Chicken cordon bleu
Fregula Sarda risotto
A selection of international cheeses.
You can also choose from various types of bread, such as rustic baguette, sun-dried tomato and Parmesan roll, or nut and oat rye.
I went for the tiger prawn for my starter. It tastes good and fresh. After finishing the starter, I went for the beef. I consider myself quite skilled at cooking steak, and a grilled Angus fillet will be the ultimate test of what the company can deliver at altitudes of 10,000-plus meters. And sure enough, they manage it too. Impressive. I wash it down with a French red wine. The cheeses are, of course, excellent.
For dessert, we can choose between Chocolate brownies with nuts and hot fudge sauce, or seasonal fresh fruit. I love chocolate and go all-in on the brownie. An excellent choice, it turns out.
Everything is served with exemplary care by friendly staff who genuinely strive to make you feel welcome and cared for.
From flatbread to flatbed
After dinner, I lean back, and we fly into the night. If desired, you can be provided with pyjamas, which you can change into in the lavatory.
The lavatories in this cabin are spacious, with all the essentials you need. Unlike visiting the lavatory facilities in economy class, where you wonder what germs you might have picked up and are now carrying back to your seat, you feel refreshed and invigorated after a visit to the same facility in business class.
I skip the pyjamas but recline the seat into the flatbed mode, put on my eye mask, and hope to get a little bit of a "cowboy nap" even though it's a long time until bedtime in the time zone we're departing from.
Throughout the flight, snacks, fruit, and drinks are available. You can help yourself from the "bar" or, of course, ask for something directly from your seat. Either way, you're met by approachable and service-minded staff.
Arriving
I wish the flight would last a few more hours as we approach landing in Doha, Qatar Airways' home city. When you leave the plane, you feel rested, and the cramped stiffness from economy class is entirely absent.
The gate we park at doesn't have a direct airbridge to the terminal, so we have to take a bus. Even the buses are in a class of their own for business class passengers, with soft seats that make you feel like a king onboard.
We hurried through the beautiful Hamad Airport on our way to our next flight. As we boarded, we looked longingly to the left as we entered the plane and then turned right. Row 40, innermost by the window, cramped and a simple meal before we tried to huddle together for some sleep. The footwell in business class was no longer remembered as cramped but rather as a hall where one could dance Riverdance in a row.
The best?
Is Qatar Airways business class the world's best? Proclaiming something "the world's best" can be complex, and awards that name different winners in the airline industry can depend on personal preferences, but one thing I can say: Qatar Airways' business class is definitely world-class!
DaGama Traveller Magazine covered the flights. Qatar Airways provided the upgrade.
