Nowadays, Qatar Airways offers one of the best business class products in the world: the Qsuites. They call it ‘first in business class’. I recently flew Qsuites on a flight from Doha to Singapore on the A350-1000. A few years ago, I flew them in first class on the A380 so now it would be interesting to see what the difference is. I booked this flight by redeeming 40,000 AAdvantage miles for an award from Amman, Jordan to Denpasar, Indonesia. I wanted to be sure to have the Qsuites on the A350 and I know Qatar Airways is changing aircrafts often, even just one day before the flight. Therefore, I choose Doha-Singapore as Qatar Airways operates this route multiple times per day, all by A350 aircrafts. In this review, I share my experience of my flight in Qsuites on the A350-1000.
Flight: Qatar Airways 944
Route: Doha (DOH) – Singapore (SIN)
Date: Tuesday February 4, 2020
Depart: 8:30AM
Arrive: 9:15AM
Duration: 7h45min
Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000
Class of service: Qsuites Business Class
Qatar Airways Business Class Check In
Qatar Airways has a separated check in area for business class passengers. As it was almost midnight, it was very quiet at the check in. Hamad International Airport is mostly busy in the morning. After I gave my passport, the agent started the check in process. I noticed that my seat preference was changed. The agent informed me that my aircraft was changed from a Airbus A350-900 to a A350-1000. Fortunately, I still had a rear facing window seat.
As I re3ceived my boarding pass, I proceeded to passport control and security. Then I entered the departure hall with the well-known teddy bear. Hamad International Airport is modern airport where signs are clearly marked. Therefore, it wasn’t difficult to find my way to the Al Mourjan Lounge. I will go as far as saying that this is one of the real high-end airports in the world that I have visited.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge Doha
To save time at the lounge front desk, all boarding passers are scanned before you enter the escalator to the second floor. I found this to be very effective since I didn’t have to wait at the front desk of the lounge. The Al Mourjan Lounge is accessible for Qatar Airways business class passengers only. The lounge features different seating areas with a fountain in the center. While some seats are more dedicated for relaxing while waiting for boarding, other seats are better to work on. Like the Al Safwa first class lounge, the Al Mourjan Lounge also offers family rooms and quiet areas with showers. However, no sleeping rooms are offered here. So as you can imagine, this is a perfect way of travel both for business and pleasure.
If you fancy a better meal, or just a snack, the Al Mourjan Lounge features two restaurants, the first one is located at the far end of the lounge and is more like an à la carte dining area. However, there is also a buffet here. This restaurant has a high ceiling and I like how the area is decorated. As for champagne, they serve Pommery. The second restaurant is located upstairs and is more like a buffet area with more comfortable seats. I preferred this restaurant to have breakfast as there is a wider selection of food and beverages here.
Boarding
I left the lounge about 45 minutes before the departure. My flight to Singapore was leaving from gate E22 and this is about 10 minutes walking from the Al Mourjan Lounge or just 2 minutes by monorail. After exiting the train, I took one escalator down and then an elevator to the ground floor. When arriving at the gate, I noticed that we wouldn’t board the aircraft by a jet bridge. Instead, a bus would bring us to the plane.
I already saw economy passengers entering the bus so I got to ask what was happening. To my surprise, I was told that business class passengers could wait a little while before they were brought to the plane. As I wanted to make some nice pictures of the cabin, I asked if I could board the plane together with the economy passengers and fortunately this wasn’t any problem. I usually prefer to board the aircraft through the jet bridge, especially with hot temperatures outside. However, I wouldn’t mind to board my first A350-1000 by the stairs. The bus was comfortable, not too crowded and featured air conditioning. When arriving at the aircraft, I directly saw the immense engine.
Qatar Airways A350-1000 Qsuites Cabin
The Airbus A350-1000 is a larger aircraft than the A350-900. I boarded the plane through the second door and was warmly welcomed by a flight attendant. When a second flight attendant saw my boarding pass, I directly was accompanied to my seat. The Airbus A350-1000 features a total of 46 closed suites in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration. 38 of these suites are between the first and second door while another 8 suites are located behind the second door, just before the economy class cabin. I directly noticed how much space the cabin has as there are no overhead bins above the middle seats.
Unfortunately, unlike on the Airbus A380 and A350-900, there is no bar on the A350-1000. While the rear facing window seats are best for solo travelers, the middle seats are best for those who are traveling together. Between these seats is a partition that can be raised and lowered. The middle seats can even be turned into a ‘quad’ to have a four-person suite! There are no real bad business class seats in this cabin. However, I would avoid the even numbered seats in the center as they cover less privacy compared to other seats.
Qatar Airways A350-1000 Qsuites Business Class Seat
The odd-numbered rear facing window seats are offering the most privacy as they are the closest ones to the window. However, these seats are also the most ‘claustrophobic’ ones. Myself, I was seated in seat 5K, a window seat on the right side in the fifth row of the forward cabin. The suites can be fully closed by a slide door. However, this is not possible on the ground and during take off and landing.
On my seat I found a pillow. On the right side of the seat is a reading light and a large compartment for some magazines and a bottle of water. This space is good to store some amenities like a camera during take off and landing. The compartment can also be lowered to add more space to the seat. On the left side is a armrest that can also be lowered. Unfortunately, the window shades cannot be closed by buttons, like on the A350-900, you have to close them manually.
The tray table is quite large and can be moved around by pressing on the bottom. Below the tray table is the footwell that offers plenty of space for a staggered seat. The in-flight entertainment screen is of a large size and is of good quality. On the right side next to the entertainment screen, I found a blanket, an extra pillow and my amenity kit. The Bric’s kit contained air plane socks, an eye mask and skincare products from Castello Monte Vibiano Vecchio. Here are also the seat controls, the entertainment controller and both a 110v and USB outlet. Qatar Airways offers noise-cancelling headphones in Qsuites. Below is a storage unit where I found the safety information card.
Pre Departure Service and take off
A few moments later, one of the flight attendants came to my suite to officially welcome me on board. This is typically something Qatar Airways does with their business class passengers. It’s like a first class service in business class, they welcome you on board and before landing they thank you for flying Qatar Airways. I also was asked how long before arrival in Singapore a flight attendant has to wake me up. Later I got asked what I wanted to drink before departure and I opted for the champagne. Qatar Airways serves Lallier Grande Réserve in Qsuites business class.
Also the menus were distributed. Once everyone was on board, I noticed that around 50% of all the business class suites were taken. A few moments later, we taxied to the runway and after about 5 minutes waiting, the massive A350-1000 was ready for take off. One of the nice features of the A350 is the view from the tail camera. This way passengers can see the view from the tail on their in-flight entertainment screen which is especially interesting during take off and landing. Flying backwards was something I never experienced before. Taking off felt even more like a roller coaster! However, the A350 is much more silent than other aircrafts.
About 25 minutes after take off, the seat belt signs were turned off. I unfastened my seat belt and put my seat in a more comfortable position. Now I also could close the door of my suite. The suite has also a not disturb button like in a hotel room to maximize full privacy during the flight. However, with open door the suite still offers a lot privacy. I noticed that it felt a lot colder in the suite when the door was open. Later, almost all window shades were closed and the mood lighting was turned blue.
In-Flight Dining
About 30 minutes after take off, I was informed that breakfast would be served as well as a pre arrival meal. And I could choose at what time I wanted the meals to be served. After having a look at the menu, I mentioned my preferences to the flight attendant. For champagne before breakfast, I opted for the Gosset Brut Grand Rosé Champagne that was served with nuts.
Then the starter was served. I could choose from yoghurt with strawberry compote and toasted granola, cereals and even cold cuts with caviar! However, I opted for the platter of seasonal fresh fruits. For drink, I went for an orange juice and cappuccino. I also was asked if I wanted to have sparkled or still water. Later, also bread was served. A nice detail on the table is the little candle, of course this isn’t a real candle due to safety reasons but it makes the presentation look like even more interesting right?
A soon as a flight attended noticed that I finished the starter, I was asked if my table could be cleared. Then the main course was served. Here I could choose from a cheese omelet with chicken sausage, prawn congee or traditional Arabic breakfast. I was already served omelet in the Al Mourjan Lounge so I opted for the latter. This was served with feta, cucumber, tomato and green olives served with foul bil tahini and Arabic bread. I also was asked for a refill of my orange juice and cappuccino. The food tasted not bad but this is definitely a step back compared to first class.
A flight attendant regularly came to ask me if I enjoyed the meal so far. I mentioned that I was satisfied about the service and food and that I really enjoyed Qsuites so far. After the main course, I was offered a dessert with different options. For drink, I opted for a gin tonic.
Turndown Service
After the meal service the colors of the mood lighting changed. As I had indicated earlier during this flight, I wanted to sleep a couple of hours before my arrival in Singapore. A flight attendant prepared my bed while I changed clothes in the lavatory. There are 3 lavatories in business class, 2 in the front of the business class cabin and one after the second door. The seat can be fully flat and was comfortable to sleep on.
Another great thing of the A350 is that there isn’t so much noise as in older aircrafts. Before my nap, I had a quick look at the in-flight entertainment system. Qatar Airways offers a wide selection of music, movies and series so you won’t get bored during a long flight. I slept for about three hours and was happy about the space. Like I said before, Qsuites have a large footwell and both the compartment on my right side and armrest on my left side can be lowered.
Pre Arrival Service
About 1,5 hours before landing, a flight attendant woke me up for the pre arrival snack. On the menu I could choose among different light options like a mixed garden salad, Thai red curry with sea food and after noon tea. I went for the Spring onion panini, a typical Qatar Airways business class snack. For drink, I went for another Gosset Brut Grand Rosé Champagne.
About 30 minutes before landing, the cabine manager came around to thank everyone for flying with Qatar Airways. We ended up landing in Singapore at 9:10PM. From there it was about 15 minutes before arriving at the gate. Of course, business class passengers could disembark first, this time through the first door. At 9:30pm, I said good bye to the flight attendants and walked into the terminal building of Changi Airport.
Qatar Airways A350-1000 Qsuites Bottom Line
Qatar Airways Qsuites has certainly exceeded my expectations. This is definitely one of the best business class products in the world. The Al Mourjan lounge in Doha with great facilities is a great place to start the Qsuites journey. I liked the setting of the lounge with different seating areas, family rooms and restaurants. However, the lounge doesn’t offer views on the planes. The boarding process was a bit different than I normally experience. Economy passengers were boarding first while business class passengers had to wait. The business class cabin felt really spacious and this is mainly due to the lack of overhead bins above the middle seats.
During this flight, I got accompanied to my seat and this felt more like a first class experience. The seat itself is very comfortable and offers a lot of privacy. In my opinion, the seat is better than the first class seat on the A380. I like it that the door can be fully closed. I definitely liked the champagne and food on board, there are many options to choose from. Unfortunately, unlike on the A380, Qatar Airways has no bar on the A350-1000. It’s also a bit unfortunate that the window shades on the A350-1000 cannot be closed by buttons like on the A350-900. Overall, I had a great flight in my Qsuite and definitely can recommend this cabin. This is the best business class cabin I have flown so far.
What’s your experience with Qatar Airways Qsuites? Have you flown them already or are you planning to make a flight with them? Let me know your questions and thoughts in the comments below!
