Qatar Airways is known for its world-class service and luxurious First and Business Class seats, particularly the Business Class Qsuite. The airline operates flights to more than 170 destinations worldwide, with its hub in Doha's Hamad International Airport. It's an especially popular choice for ultra-long-haul travel between North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, though it also flies to Australia and South America.
Discover cabins & seats on Qatar Airways
Qatar has three cabins onboard its fleet: First, Business and Economy. Unlike many other major international carriers, it does not have a Premium Economy section. Only select aircraft have a First Class cabin, while all aircraft have Business and Economy cabins. To make matters a touch confusing, the Business and Economy cabins have multiple fare families, each of which offers a certain number of perks.
First Class
First Class is the most luxurious cabin on Qatar Airways planes, but it's only available on the Airbus A380. This massive double-decker aircraft is so large that it can only fly to certain airports with runways long and strong enough to handle it. But if you're lucky enough to be flying between one of those airports and Doha, you can treat yourself to this extraordinary cabin.
There are only eight First Class seats on the A380, arranged in a 1-2-1 pattern. Each seat has an incredible 90 inches of legroom and transforms into a lie-flat bed that measures 81 inches long and 23 inches wide. They're outfitted with a 26-inch entertainment screen, one of the largest in the market. The only thing missing is a door, so there's a bit less privacy here than the Business Class Qsuite.
Business Class
Qatar's Business Class cabin might actually be more well-known than its First Class cabin, and that's all due to the Qsuite. This cubicle-esque seat with a half-height closing door was the first suite-style seat in commercial aviation, and it's still one of the best Business Class seats out there. But Qsuites are only available on certain aircraft, so you're not necessarily guaranteed one if you book Business Class.
Even if you're not in a Qsuite, you'll still be guaranteed a lie-flat seat in Business Class, but the alternatives are pod-style rather than suite-style. It's still an excellent experience, but the Qsuite is supreme. I recommend checking the seat map before you book your tickets to see if your plane has Qsuites, but be aware that Qatar can swap aircraft types without warning.
Qsuites are arranged in a 1-2-1 layout with a twist: odd-numbered seats face backwards. While this arrangement might feel unusual to some, I actually prefer them, as odd-numbered seats are closer to the window than the even-numbered seats. The pair of rear-facing middle seats are ideal for travelling couples, as the partition lowers to create a double bed of sorts; my husband and I chose these seats on our honeymoon.
Non-Qsuite seats are typically arranged in either a reverse herringbone 1-2-1 pattern or a 2-2-2 pattern, but this depends on the specific aircraft. Qatar's fleet only features one narrow-body aircraft, the Airbus A320, which has a 2-2 layout in Business Class. Of these options, the 1-2-1 reverse herringbone pattern offers the most privacy, naturally. The 2-2-2 and 2-2 layouts are far more open.
Economy
The Economy cabin varies between aircraft but is often a 3-3-3 or 3-4-3 layout; seats typically have 31 to 33 inches of pitch, which is fairly standard for the industry. Every seat has a seatback TV and a USB outlet to charge devices, which is crucial on long-haul flights. What stands out about all Economy tickets, however, is the fact they include a free checked bag!
What are the different fare classes?
Fare classes, or fare families, as Qatar calls them, are different tickets within each cabin. Each fare class comes with different perks and amenities, and each is priced accordingly. This allows some travellers to opt for a more basic experience for a lower price, even in Business Class, or for a more expensive refundable fare.
First Class
Being the ultimate in luxury, the First Class cabin on Qatar only has a single fare class: Elite. This covers just about all perks Qatar offers, from additional baggage allowance to lounge access to refundable fares. It also allows access to the onboard lounge on the A380, a social space with a bar for First and Business passengers.
Business Class
Business Class has four fares: Lite, Classic, Comfort and Elite. While each fare includes two checked bags and two cabin bags, Lite and Classic do not include seat selection until check-in. Lite also does not grant free lounge access, but you can pay to enter if you wish. Elite is the most flexible fare, as it allows changes and refunds without any fees.
Economy
Economy also has four fares: Lite, Classic, Convenience and Comfort. Lite class only allows one checked bag, while the other three options allow two. Like Business Class, Lite and Classic do not include seat selection until check-in. And Lite is the most restrictive in terms of changes and refunds, with changes for a fee and no refunds at all. Comfort, however, allows free changes and refunds.
Enjoy amenities, entertainment & Wi-Fi onboard
First and Business Class passengers have top-tier amenities, from The White Company pyjamas to a luxury-brand amenity kit with miniature toiletries, an eye mask, a dental kit and socks. Bedding includes a mattress pad, multiple pillows and a thick blanket. In Economy, passengers get a small amenity kit with an eye mask, ear plugs and a dental kit, as well as a pillow and a blanket.
All Qatar Airways cabins feature in-flight entertainment systems with both newly released films and classics, plus TV programmes, music and games. Most aircraft are also equipped with Wi-Fi, though in my experience, some of the routes do have dead zones. I set my expectations and don't rely on the Wi-Fi to work for the entire flight. If it does work the whole flight, I'm always pleasantly surprised!
What is there to eat onboard?
One of the perks of First and Business Class on Qatar is à la carte, anytime dining, which means you can structure your flight as you wish between sleeping, working, relaxing and eating. The extensive menu covers various meals and cuisines, from Middle Eastern specialties to event-based dishes, like chicken wings for the World Cup. My favourite menu item is afternoon tea, served with finger sandwiches, sweets and scones.
In the Economy cabin, meals are served at set times. Passengers are offered various options for each meal, often split between local cuisines of the destination or origin and Western options. Service is exceptional, even in the Economy cabin; when I flew one Economy leg for my honeymoon, the flight attendants brought my husband and me a special dessert wishing us congratulations.
Score free flights and upgrades with Qatar Airways' loyalty programme
Qatar's loyalty programme, Privilege Club, allows members to earn a form of airline loyalty currency called Avios for every pound spent on flights on Qatar and its Oneworld Alliance partners, including British Airways, Iberia, Qantas, Finnair and Cathay Pacific, among others. Avios can be redeemed for flight upgrades and free flights on both Qatar and its partner airlines.
Other ways to earn Avios
Avios are also used by British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Finnair in their respective loyalty programmes, and you can transfer Avios between them all at a 1:1 ratio. You can also transfer over points from the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme. Qatar Airways also offers several co-branded credit cards that reward cardholders with Avios for purchases.
Earning elite status
Privilege Club has four tiers of status: Burgundy, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Each offers increasing benefits such as lounge access, free preferred seating and extra baggage allowance. To achieve status, you'll have to earn a certain number of Qpoints, which are earned by flying on Qatar or Oneworld partner airlines, or as bonuses for certain co-branded credit cards.
Tips for booking free flights
Avios aren't the only way to book free flights on Qatar. You can also use partner loyalty programmes. In my case, I typically use American Airlines AAdvantage miles to book Qatar Business Class flights. Since I don't regularly fly Qatar, but I more regularly fly American Airlines, it makes more sense for me to use AAdvantage instead of Privilege Club.
Extend your trip with Qatar Airways' stopover programme
Qatar Airways offers a stopover programme in Doha, allowing passengers to explore the city during an extended layover of between 12 hours and four days. The airline partners with luxury hotels to provide heavily discounted accommodation rates and offers organised tours to visit highlights like the Museum of Islamic Art and the Souq Waqif market. You can even spend the day at a beach club.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up to date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
