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Airline: Qatar Airways (QR)
Flight Number: QR719
Route: SEA-DOH
Class: “QSuite” Business Class
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Registration: A7-BAI
Delivered: October 2008
Flight Duration: 15 Hours 45 Minutes
Distance: 7,411 Miles
Overall Impression:
Although this wasn’t our first time flying in Qatar Airways’ QSuite, it’s always a pleasure to experience one of the world’s top business class products. Every journey in the QSuite feels special, and our nearly 16-hour flight from Doha to Seattle was no exception—we savored every moment.
Renowned as one of the best business class seats in the industry, the QSuite excels in both comfort and privacy, perfect for lounging or getting a good night’s sleep. Paired with Qatar Airways’ exceptional dining, beverage selection, and attentive service, the flight was nothing short of memorable.
Our journey began at the Al Mourjan Garden Lounge in Doha, a destination in itself. With an à la carte menu, an extensive hot buffet, ample seating, and dedicated rest and shower areas, the lounge offered the perfect pre-flight retreat.
From seamless ground services to unparalleled in-flight luxury, the QSuite continues to set the benchmark for business class travel.
What I Liked:
The Al Mourjan Garden Lounge in Doha – One of the highlights of this trip was our time in the new Al Mourjan Garden Lounge, located in the recently opened North Wing of Doha’s Hamad International Airport. The lounge is expansive, with ample comfortable seating spread throughout, providing a relaxed and spacious environment for travelers.
For passengers with long layovers, the lounge also features a private rest area and shower facilities, perfect for refreshing before the next leg of the journey.
Dining options are plentiful, with a buffet offering a wide variety of hot dishes, along with freshly made sushi and an à la carte menu for a more personalized dining experience.
The Seats – I was seated in 11J, a forward-facing window seat on the starboard side of the plane, while my companion took 10K, a rear-facing window seat. The suite felt exceptionally spacious and private, thanks to the sliding door that adds an extra layer of seclusion. The seats were so comfortable that we almost didn’t want our almost 16-hour journey to end.
Qatar’s QSuite Business Class is arranged in a 1-2-1 staggered configuration. Odd-numbered seats face the rear of the plane, while even-numbered seats face forward. For solo travelers, the odd-numbered window seats are ideal, as they’re positioned closer to the window for more privacy. Couples, on the other hand, might prefer the “honeymoon seats” in the center, which are also odd-numbered and allow for a more intimate setup. A distinctive feature of the QSuite is the option for a family or group of four to create a shared space by opening the partitions between four center seats. This flexible design truly elevates the QSuite experience, accommodating travelers who want to stay connected or share the journey together. Lastly, kudos to Qatar Airways to installing personal Air Nozzles on their 777s.
The Business Class Amenities – Qatar Airways goes above and beyond with its Business Class amenities, ensuring a comfortable and well-prepared journey. Each passenger received a Diptyque amenity kit and a set of soft pajamas—a thoughtful touch for a long-haul flight. Also waiting at our suite was a bottle of water and noise canceling hedphones.
When it was time to rest, the crew provided a turndown service that transformed the seat into a cozy sleeping area. They set up a thick duvet, a full-size pillow, and a mattress pad to make the seat exceptionally comfortable for sleep.
The lavatories were equally well-appointed, stocked with essentials such as toothbrushes, shaving kits, and premium moisturizers and facial mist. The crew maintained the lavatories regularly, keeping them clean and fresh throughout the flight.
The Service – As with our previous flights on Qatar Airways, the crew’s service was exceptional—proactive, attentive, and incredibly efficient. From the start, we were warmly welcomed with a pre-departure beverage and Arabic Coffee service, complete with refreshing hot towels. The flight attendants managed to balance charm with professionalism, making us feel genuinely cared for.
One of the standout aspects of Qatar’s service is the flexibility around dining. The crew promptly delivered our meals at our requested times, allowing us to enjoy a personalized dining experience that suited our schedule. Throughout the flight, they regularly checked in to see if we needed anything, always ready to assist without being intrusive.
What I Didn’t Like:
The Boarding Process in Doha – One aspect of Qatar Airways that I find challenging is the boarding process for US-bound flights in Doha. While additional security screening at the gate is understandable, the setup afterward could use improvement. Once our boarding passes were scanned, we entered a boarding area that felt cramped and more like a holding pen, making it somewhat uncomfortable, especially on a long-haul itinerary.
The actual boarding process itself was a bit chaotic. Passengers crowded around the jet bridge before their boarding groups were called, leading to confusion and congestion. It would be great to see Qatar Airways streamline this part of the experience to create a smoother, more organized boarding process in the future.
It’s OK I guess…
The Food – Qatar Airways’ Business Class features a dine-on-demand service, allowing passengers to order from the menu at any time during the flight—a true luxury on long-haul routes. The catering on this journey was excellent. Every dish we tried was beautifully presented, generously portioned, and full of flavor. From starters to desserts, each course was thoughtfully crafted and showcased the high standards of Qatar’s in-flight dining. The ability to enjoy meals at our own pace made the experience even more enjoyable. That said, I did notice that the overall variety of menu options wasn’t quite as extensive as it once was, though it still offered a satisfying selection.
The IFE – This aircraft was equipped with Qatar Airways’ Oryx One entertainment system, offering a wide selection of new and classic movies, TV shows, music, and games. The interface was responsive and user-friendly, making it easy to browse and enjoy the content throughout the flight.
Best of all, the plane was fitted with Starlink high-speed internet, which was available for free to all passengers from gate to gate—a fantastic perk for staying connected on such a long journey.
One minor drawback: the moving map and IFE remote felt slightly dated compared to those on newer aircraft, but this didn’t significantly impact the overall entertainment experience.
Bottom Line:
Qatar Airways’ QSuite continues to set the benchmark for luxury business class travel, delivering an exceptional experience both in the air and on the ground. From the spacious and private suite design to the outstanding lounge access, thoughtful amenities, and attentive service, every detail is crafted for comfort and convenience. While the boarding process in Doha and a slightly reduced menu variety could use improvement, the overall journey remains one of the best in the skies.
TravelingFoody.com 