The Qatar Airways A350 QSuites offer a unique blend of luxury, comfort, and innovation, setting a high standard in business class travel. On a recent flight from Heathrow to Doha, my partner and I had the opportunity to experience this highly acclaimed product firsthand. This review covers various aspects of the journey, from the seat features and in-flight entertainment to the quality of food and wine, and the overall service provided by the crew. Join me as I take you through my experience of flying in Qatar Airways’ A350 QSuites.
In this review:
Flight Details
Flight No: QR6
From/To: London (LHR) to Doha (DOH)
Departure time: 08:05
Ticket Class: Business
Flight time: 6 hours
Frequent Flyer Points: 6,000
Status Points: 140
Aircraft: A7-ALZ
Aircraft type: Airbus A350-900 (QSuites)
Number of classes: 2
Number of seats in flying class: 36
Seat: 5A
Position: right hand side of the aircraft, 5 rows from the front
Airport Experience
The check-in area at Heathrow’s terminal 5 was incredibly busy when we arrived at 06:15. Qatar Airways had scheduled an A350 and an A380 to depart within 30 minutes of each other. They have a dedicated check-in area for business class, although navigating through the sea of queuing passengers wasn’t easy.
We were greeted by a female concierge who offered to take our check-in bags, tagging them as you would at a hotel. We were then asked to sit in a waiting area until a desk became available. While waiting, we were offered a glass of water (still or sparkling).
The whole process took longer than expected. While we appreciate the intention of avoiding everyone standing in line, the sitting arrangement felt a bit awkward.
Fast track security was open and moderately busy. With only two machines and some rather hectic “why can’t we take a litre of liquid on a plane” families in front, it was far from smooth.
We finally reached the lounge about 45 minutes after arriving at the airport. Not bad, but not great efficiency either. Despite the mayhem at check-in, we found the Qatar Airways premium lounge to be busy but calm. There was space to sit in the dining area or a lounge seat. We had time for a croissant and a mimosa before it was time to board.
Boarding & Welcome
Boarding was well underway when we reached the gate. There was a dedicated lane for business class passengers, and boarding was via one of two jet bridges attached to the aircraft. Business class passengers were directed to board using the front door, while economy boarded from door 2, just in front of the wing. Upon arrival, we were greeted at the door by a crew member who directed us down the first aisle, mentioning that a colleague would assist. However, the rest of the crew seemed busy with other passengers, so we just took ourselves to ours seats.
Having taken our separate window seats, I’ll now share my experience sitting in 5A.
A crew member handed me the food and drink menu cards and offered me some pyjamas. I was also offered a drink before take-off, so I had a mimosa. The crew took food orders before take-off, although they reminded me that I could dine anytime. I opted for breakfast and said I’d have an item from the à la carte menu near the end of the journey.
Seat
Although a few years old, the QSuite is still the best business class seat in the skies. BoardingGroup.One has learned of plans to unveil an updated QSuite in the summer, and we expect to share more details then. In the meantime, let me take you through the features of this industry-beating seat.
The seat is essentially a mini cabin with a sliding door, providing privacy and seclusion that you don’t experience with regular open business class seats.
The seat itself reclines to a fully flat bed using automatic controls. It was comfortable both to sit in and to lie on.
The privacy door was unlocked after the seatbelt signs were switched off. I had it closed for the duration of the flight, as did most other passengers. It created a nice and cosy environment to relax in. Some might find it a bit too enclosed, but there’s always the option to leave the door open. The light and expansive view from the two large windows offset the feeling of being encapsulated.
Speaking of the two large windows, they had automatic blinds that could be adjusted using the controls above the window.
A large folding dining table pulled out from beneath the entertainment screen.
There were two USB charging ports, one below the screen and another beside the seat controls. The latter was convenient for powering my AirFly adapter while I used my AirPods with the IFE.
One of the best features of this seat was the storage. There was more than enough capacity in the spaces around the seat for me to stash a couple of water bottles, an amenity kit, and charging cables. Nothing had to go on the floor.
What is the best seat on Qatar Airways A350 QSuites?
I thought we were booked to fly on an A350-1000 but found an A350-900 waiting for us at the gate. This type has a smaller forward business class cabin, meaning our seats in rows 4 and 5 were right at the back by the vestibule. I’d typically prefer mid-cabin seats, but this location wasn’t too bothersome because the washrooms and galley were all in front of row 1. I’d say anywhere in the forward cabin between rows 2 and 6 is fine. Service is from the front, so row 5 is served last. Row 6 is served first together with the rear business class cabin. I’d avoid sitting in that rear cabin because it’s furthest from the washrooms and sandwiched between a vestibule and economy cabin bulkhead.
See the seating plan on SeatGuru.
Onboard Experience
The Diptyque amenity kit on Qatar Airways business class features eco-friendly cardboard packaging and luxury skincare products. While sustainable, the cardboard lacks the premium feel of traditional materials. High-quality items like eye masks and socks enhance comfort, though durability is a minor concern.
The cabin was divided into two sections, with the main cabin having six rows of QSuites and the smaller rear cabin having just three. Both sections felt compact and intimate, offering a sense of privacy, but also feeling a little cramped.
Business class passengers had access to three washrooms, all located at the front of the aircraft.
The air quality and cabin temperature were well-maintained throughout the flight, contributing to a comfortable experience.
Despite frequent turbulence causing the seatbelt sign to be switched on and off, the crew only needed to strap in twice, handling the situation calmly and professionally. Our journey took us up to 41,000 feet, showcasing the impressive capabilities of the A350 aircraft.
Food & Drink
Shortly after the seatbelt sign switched off, the crew served me a drink and some nuts. I chose orange juice.
The initial meal service felt slow. My warm breakfast dish arrived about 90 minutes after we departed Heathrow. Nevertheless, the omelette with sausage, mushrooms, asparagus, and tomato was one of the best breakfasts I’ve had on a plane. I washed it down with more orange juice and San Pellegrino water, which the crew kindly refilled after clearing my breakfast.
After a nap, I decided to try the discovery wine, an Albert Bichot red Burgundy.
Two hours before landing, I ordered lunch from the à la carte menu. I opted for the wild mushroom soup, followed by the duo of beef—Angus fillet and braised beef cheek. It came with mashed sweet potatoes, carrot, and broccoli. Everything tasted delicious, especially the soup.
Here are pictures of the menu card for the flight:
In-flight Entertainment
The seat came equipped with a large entertainment screen loaded with hundreds of movie and TV titles. However, it felt like a case of quantity over quality, as many titles seemed to be filler content you wouldn’t watch on Netflix. The software running the system performed well and was responsive to touch.
The IFE was paired with a wired remote control stowed underneath the amenity table. Noise-cancelling headphones were supplied.
Wi-Fi was available during the cruise portion of the flight but was turned off shortly before landing in Doha.
BG1 Verdict
Overall, the seat was excellent, offering comfort, privacy, and advanced features like a large entertainment screen and ample storage. The food and wine were highlights, with delicious meals and a good selection of beverages, including standout options like the breakfast omelette and the duo of beef for lunch. However, the service was inconsistent. While the crew were courteous and attentive at times, the initial meal service was slow, and the ground experience at Heathrow wasn’t as slick as I’d expect from Qatar Airways. Despite these shortcomings, this experience still shows the strengths of the Qatar Airways’ A350 Qsuites product.
BG1 Tip
Seat 1A and K are next to the washrooms and are rear-facing, so your head will be closer to the lavatory wall. I’d avoid these unless you like banging and flushing noises in the night.
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