The Complete Guide to Qatar Airways Qsuites

Qatar Airways Qsuites is widely heralded to be the world’s best business class.

With a double bed in the sky, a round-table suite for groups of four, and immaculate hard and soft products, a trip in Qsuites is certain to please even the most discerning traveller.

In this guide, let’s take a look at the Qatar Airways Qsuites experience, aircraft, routes, and the best ways to book Qsuites using points.

The Qatar Airways Qsuites Experience

While technically classified as a business class product, Qatar Airways Qsuites launched in 2017 with the motto “First in Business”. The airline seriously elevated the business class experience by offering unique hard and soft products that even outclasses some airlines’ First Class offerings.

Ground Experience

Prior to getting onto the plane, passengers flying Qsuites out of the airline’s hub in Doha will have access to one of two gargantuan lounges.

If you are departing or connecting on a business class flight in Doha, you’ll enjoy complimentary access to the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge.

The Al Mourjan Business Lounge is spread across two levels and measures more than 100,000 square feet. With a capacity of over 1,000 passengers, the expansive space is equivalent to around 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

With this much real estate, there’s plenty of space to wine, dine, and relax. Choose from a hot and cold buffet, a sushi counter, or an à la carte dining menu during your stay.

You can sit next to the soothing water feature as you soak in your surroundings with a nice glass of sparkling wine. There are a number of beverage stations scattered throughout the lounge, should you need to quench your thirst.

If you’d like to shut your eyes for a bit, there are even dedicated nap areas scattered around the lounge.

In addition to a plethora of food options and work areas, there are two game rooms to help pass the time in a more leisurely manner.

The lounge can get quite crowded at times, but finding some space to yourself shouldn’t be too difficult, given the sheer size of the lounge.

The more impressive Al Safwa First Class Lounge is still within reach for Qsuites passengers.

Business class passengers may buy access to the Al Safwa First Class Lounge, albeit at a steep cost of 600 Qatari riyals ($210 CAD). Note that your stay will be limited to six hours if you enter this way, but you shouldn’t be too hard pressed to get your money’s worth.

This First Class lounge resembles a fine art museum, with installations from the Museum of Islamic Art in the cavernous hallways of the lounge.

The Al Safwa First Class Lounge is even equipped with private rooms that are essentially small hotel rooms. These secluded spaces can be booked for up to six hours at a time, and you’re sure to get some better rest than in the open-air nap areas in the Al Mourjan Business Lounge.

The Al Safwa First Class Lounge has some top-quality dining options with an à la carte menu. Furthermore, there’s a well-stocked bar with staff available to mix up a delicious concoction.

The lounge also has a full-service spa. Included with any paid spa treatment is the use of a jacuzzi, which is an experience not found in any other airport lounge around the world.

Consider the length of your stay and what you hope to get out of it when choosing between visiting the Al Mourjan Business Lounge for free and paying for the Al Safwa First Class Lounge.

Seat

The seats and amenities on Qatar Airways Qsuites are amongst the best you can find on any business class product.

The generously spacious Qsuites are best experienced by closing your full-length suite doors, providing almost complete privacy. 

Along with abundant storage space, the seat includes a control panel, which allows you to fully customize the configuration of your seat.

This, of course, includes turning it into a lie-flat bed – a must for any premium business class suite.

On that note, Qsuites is renowned for having a “double bed in the sky”. In fact, it’s one of only two business class products to offer such a configuration, with the other being Singapore Airlines A380 business class.

It’s important to mention that while the middle seats configure into side-by-side beds, it’s only from the waist up. So, if you’re looking to get a little more cozy with your seatmate, you’ll have to wait until you’ve reached your final destination.

Entirely unique to Qatar Airways Qsuites is a seating concept known as the “Quad”.

In the Quad, four passengers in specific seats can slide a partition behind their entertainment units and sit facing each other. In the middle of everyone is a table, which is perfect for sharing a meal, playing cards, or scheming a plan to conquer the world.

Anyone who wishes to excuse themselves from the Quad configuration can just as easily slide the partitions back in place and enjoy the complete privacy that Qsuites offer.

Qsuites passengers are also given pajamas as an amenity. This is another unique onboard item that’s usually reserved for First Class passengers or select other top-tier business class products.

Food and Drink

Upon boarding, passengers are offered a choice of welcome beverage, including select Champagnes such as the colourful Taittinger Rosé.

While not quite as dazzling as the meals offered on First Class flights, the dining experience in Qatar Airways Qsuites is still impressive. In keeping with the spirit of “First in Business”, the airline offers an elevated multi-course dining selection with attentive service from the cabin crew.

The meal options may change depending on your route, as Qatar Airways places a heavy emphasis on offering seasonal and geography-specific menus on many of their flagship routes.

Those travelling in groups up to four will appreciate the option of being able to dine together in the middle seats, creating a social and lively atmosphere akin to dining in a restaurant on the ground.

Qatar Airways Qsuites Aircraft Cabins

Qatar Airways Qsuites can be found on four different types of aircraft: the Boeing 777-200LR, the Boeing 777-300ER, the Airbus A350-900, and the Airbus A350-1000.

Note that if you’re flying in business class with Qatar Airways, there’s a chance you may end up on the older business class product, which pales in comparison to the quality of Qsuites. Fortunately, there are a few ways to check which business class product you’ll get.

To verify whether or not the aircraft you’ll be on has Qsuites, you’ll simply want to look at the seat map for your flight. You can use a tool such as ExpertFlyer or SeatGuru for this.

All Qsuites cabin configurations are arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 format. 

All of Qatar Airways’ older business class seats have a 2-2-2 layout.

It’s important to note that Qatar Airways’s Boeing 787-9 business class product also follows the 1-2-1 seat format, but it’s not the same as Qsuites. 

There is significantly less space, and while technically there is a double bed for couples sitting in the middle seats, the angle of the lie-flat beds makes it much less desirable.

Boeing 777-200LR & Boeing 777-300ER

While the actual hard and soft product on the four different aircraft that feature Qsuites are largely the same, there are subtle differences to the size of the cabin for each aircraft.

There are currently nine Boeing 777-200LRs in the Qatar Airways fleet. Of these, seven of the nine feature the Qsuites cabin.

There are currently 48 Boeing 777-300ERs in the Qatar Airways fleet. Of these, 37 out of the 48 feature the Qsuites cabin.

On both aircraft, the business class cabin features a total of 42 seats spread across 11 rows in two cabins. The seats and the cabins are arranged in the same format.

Odd-numbered rows in the forward cabin have backward-facing seats. In the rearward cabin, even-numbered window seats and odd-numbered middle seats face backwards.

The window seats in Rows 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10 are flush against the window. These offer the greatest amount of privacy for solo travellers. 

Odd-numbered middle seats are also backward-facing, and are situated right next to each other in a “honeymoon seat” format. These seats combine to create a double bed in the sky. 

If you’d like to experience the double bed, be sure to select any of the “E” and “F” seats in Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11.

Should you wish to set up the “Quad,” you’ll want to select any of the following quadruples of seats:

• Seats 1E, 1F, 2D, and 2G
• Seats 3E, 3F, 4D and 4G
• Seats 5E, 5F, 6D and 6G
• Seats 7E, 7F, 8D and 8G
• Seats 9E, 9F, 10D, and 10G

Airbus A350-900

There are currently 333 Airbus A350-900s in the Qatar Airways fleet. Of these, only 10 feature Qsuites, so be sure to check the configuration if you’re flying on one of these.

The business class cabin features a total of 36 seats spread across nine rows.

All odd-numbered seats are rearward facing. 

The odd-numbered window seats offer the greatest amount of privacy, as you’re tucked away against the window. Look for window seats in Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 for the most private experience.

The “honeymoon seats” that feature the double bed in the sky are the odd-numbered middle seats. On this aircraft, choose from the “E” and “F” seats in Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9. 

All even-numbered seats are forward-facing. The window seats are closer to the aisle and offer less privacy than the rearward-facing window seats.

Meanwhile, even-numbered middle seats are farther away from your neighbour, making them more ideal if you’re a solo traveller but not in a window seat.

Should you wish to set up the Quad, you’ll want to select any of the following quadruples of seats:

• Seats 1E, 1F, 2D, and 2G
• Seats 3E, 3F, 4D and 4G
• Seats 5E, 5F, 6D and 6G
• Seats 7E, 7F, 8D and 8G

Airbus A350-1000

There are currently 19 Airbus A350-1000s in the Qatar Airways fleet. Fortunately, all of them feature Qsuites, so you’re sure to have a great seat on any of these aircraft.

The business class cabin features 46 seats spread out across 12 rows.

Odd-numbered rows have backward-facing window seats flush to the side of the aircraft, right up against the window. Choose a window seat in Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11 for the most privacy as a solo traveller.

Odd-numbered middle seats are also backward-facing “honeymoon seats”. As above, choose from the pairs of “E” and “F” seats in Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11 to experience the double bed in the sky. 

The Quad can be assembled if you select any of the following quadruples of seats:

• Seats 1E, 1F, 2D, and 2G
• Seats 3E, 3F, 4D and 4G
• Seats 5E, 5F, 6D and 6G
• Seats 7E, 7F, 8D and 8G
• Seats 9E, 9F, 10D, and 10G
• Seats 11E, 11F, 12D and 12G

Qatar Airways Qsuites Routes

With flights to over 150 destinations worldwide, Qatar Airways has an extensive global network. 

On flights to North America, the following routes usually offer Qsuites. 

In addition, Qsuites are also commonly offered to Qatar Airways’s flagship destinations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia. On the other hand, minor routes to smaller airports are less likely to come with Qsuites. 

You’ll want to double-check that your flight has Qsuites both when booking and before your flight, as Qsuites aren’t necessarily offered on all routes all the time.

Furthermore, there may be last-minute aircraft swaps, so be sure to keep an eye on your aircraft so you’re not left disappointed.

If you’re planning a flight with Qatar Airways elsewhere in the world, the easiest way to tell if your plane will feature Qsuites is to search on the Qatar Airways website.

On the search results, a “Q” in the top-right corner of the result indicates that the plane features Qsuites.

How to Redeem Points for Qatar Airways Qsuites

Since Qatar Airways belongs to the Oneworld alliance, there are many loyalty programs through which you can secure a coveted Qsuites seats.

Qatar Airways Avios

In March 2022, Qatar Airways joined the Avios loyalty program, allowing for Avios to be easily transferred between British Airways, Qatar Airways, Air Lingus, and Iberia.

This partnership is certainly a boon for anyone wishing to book Qsuites, as British Airways Avios is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, RBC Avion, and HSBC Rewards.

Qatar Airways Avios is perhaps the cheapest and best way to book Qsuites with points, as the rates and additional surcharges are fairly reasonable.

A one-way flight from Montreal to Doha costs 70,000 Qatar Airways Avios, along with $156.95 in additional taxes and fees.

You could tack on another Qsuites flight and pay only 75,000 Avios to continue to closer destinations in the Middle East such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Muscat.

It’d cost 80,000 Avios to continue onward to cities a bit further away, such as Amman, Cairo, or New Delhi.

Heading to aspirational Indian Ocean destinations, such as the Maldives or Seychelles, would cost 85,000 Avios.

Furthermore, heading from the east coast of North America to South East Asia or South Africa would cost around 95,000 Avios.

You can use a calculator on the Qatar Airways website to estimate the number of Avios you need for a particular routing.

These prices are certainly competitive when compared to similar routings and cabins with other programs, such as Aeroplan or Air France/KLM Flying Blue.

While British Airways Avios can also be used to book Qsuites at favourable rates, the number of Avios required for multiple segments is calculated a bit differently. In these situations, it’s almost always better to instantly transfer the points 1:1 to Qatar Airways Avios and then book through there.

For simple direct flights, the points requirement and additional costs will be very comparable when using British Airways Avios to using Qatar Airways Avios.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Alaska Airlines joined Oneworld in March 2021, and shortly thereafter unlocked the ability to book flights with Qatar Airways with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.

Flying from Montreal to Doha in Qsuites can be booked for as few as 85,000 miles and $67 in taxes and fees. This is slightly more than using Avios, but the surcharges are cheaper.

In fact, Alaska Airlines is known for having some of the cheapest additional fees. Redeeming 85,000 miles to fly Qsuites from Seattle to Doha only costs $21 in taxes and fees.

As a point of reference, there are much better uses for Alaska miles with the other sweet spots in the program, such as flying in First Class with Japan Airlines or Cathay Pacific – especially when Qsuites can also be booked with currencies that are easier to come by. 

American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines AAdvantage follows a similar redemption chart to British Airways and Qatar Airways.

Flights from the US and Canada to the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent cost 70,000 miles in business class.

The main advantage of American AAdvantage over British Airways and Qatar Airways Avios lies in the region-based award chart. Essentially, you can stop in Doha for a layover and then continue onward to another city in the Middle East or Indian subcontinent for no additional miles.

Note that when looking for Qsuites flights on the Qatar Airways, Alaska Airlines, or American Airlines websites, you may come across award pricing that is much more than the prices shown above.

This happens because the “Saver” level award seats have been booked up. (On the Qatar Airways Avios website, for example, this is marked by a small green flag marked with “Q2”.)

While you’re still able to book seats at a higher price, you’re better off looking elsewhere or monitoring for “Saver” level award space in the future.

Qatar Airways Qsuites Award Availability

When booking far in advance, Qatar Airways tends to release two award seats on most routes. While rare, you’ll also sometimes find up to four award seats on a single route, which would be ideal if you’d like to experience the “Quad” all on points.

The best way to score a trip in Qsuites is to plan well ahead of your departure date, as fellow travellers tend to snatch up award seats quickly. This is especially the case if you plan to fly during peak travel periods in the summer or over any holidays.

For example, as of July 2022, there is bountiful award space throughout Spring 2023 on all North American routes.

However, if you’re looking for seats around World Cup 2022, you’re out of luck, as the airline completely blocked off award space during this time period.

Unlike some other airlines, Qatar Airways isn’t known for reliably releasing last-minute award availability. You may find extra seats becoming available as the departure date approaches, but don’t necessarily count on it.  

Tips & Tricks for Qatar Airways Qsuites

With three different loyalty programs for optimally booking Qatar Airways Qsuites, the slight differences between each program can result in some excellent flying experiences to far-flung destinations.

In fact, the best sweet spots are found in bookings made with Doha as a layover, and then continuing onwards to other destinations.

With American AAdvantage, for example, this can be done for no additional miles to anywhere else in the Middle East, and with a relatively few additional miles to fly other places.

For example, flying from Seattle to Johannesburg via Doha, with a total of 22 hours and 35 minutes in Qsuites, prices out at only 75,000 AAdvantage miles.

You could also consider nesting a few Qsuites flights within a Multi-Carrier Award using British Airways Avios. Since multi-carrier awards need to be booked with partner airlines anyway, why not book a few with one of the best in the business?

If you’d like to fully immerse yourself in the best of Qatar Airways, consider flying to or from Doha on a long-haul Qsuites flight. From Doha, look to redeem points on one of the many short-haul routes within the Gulf region, which are marketed as First Class rather than business class. 

This way, you’ll get the best of both worlds – you’ll experience all that the Al Safwa First Class Lounge has to offer by virtue of your “First Class” ticket, while still having a proper long-haul Qsuites flight to look forward to.

Conclusion

Widely regarded as the world’s best business class product thanks to its world-class suite design, amenities, dining, and ground services, Qatar Airways’s “First in Business” Qsuites product is one of the top aspirational experiences in the game. 

Whether you’re excited to experience the double bed in the sky or socialize in the “Quad”, be sure to leverage a multitude of redemption avenues to experience Qsuites for yourself on your next trip to somewhere within Qatar Airways’s expansive global route network.