Qatar Airways’ business class QSuite features an ingenious design that allows a group of four people to socialise – and then socially distance – in seconds. Olivia Palamountain reports
Qatar might be one of the smallest Middle Eastern countries but it packs a mighty punch. Sure, it’s the richest country in the world per capita thanks to its bountiful natural gas and oil reserves, but what most of us really know and love it for is its national carrier, Qatar Airways.
A runaway success since it launched in 1993, Qatar continues to pioneer aviation innovation, progress and safety, dominating the Skytrax World Airline Awards (the Oscars of the airline industry) year-after-year. The airline has had no fatal incidents since it started operating and takes the second spot after Qantas in the world’s safest airlines, according to AirlineRatings.
In March, one of these passengers was me, en route to the Maldives from London Heathrow via Doha – and in business class. Although there is a ban on holidays from the UK, I was going for work purposes (lucky me).
Qatar shines in the premium sector (it was named “Best Business Class” in the world by Skytrax in 2019 – the 2020 awards were cancelled for obvious reasons), so my expectations were running high.
In another life I’d have headed straight to Qatar’s Premium Lounge at Heathrow, with its Arabian water fountains and mosaics, open theatre-style kitchen and spa-inspired shower suites. But this being the age of Covid-19, the lounge was closed, and instead I was left to roam the forlorn and forgotten halls of Terminal 5, laser-focused and goal-set on that first sip of champagne.
This was the first onboard reminder that I was flying during the pandemic – what next? Would cabin crew enforce the need to wear a mask at all times? Would they be in full PPE? Was I going to be comfortable if the plane was full?
The crew were indeed kitted out in full PPE but they were incredibly relaxed about passengers not wearing masks – in business class, at least – and I was able to enjoy the flight without wearing one, as I preferred.
Qatar’s ultra-premium QSuite offering made a splash when it debuted in 2017 and it remains the gold standard of business class air travel today. The highlight here is the quad configuration, a social space that adapts to accommodate a group of four, thanks to two aft and two forward-facing seats. On either side of the quad is a single seat.
After the excitement of take-off, I decided to do just that and lay back in my own cocoon, beautifully designed in rich purples, greys and moody rose gold tones. These colours are echoed by complementary mood lighting for a rich, warm ambience.
A studio apartment in miniature (my London flat isn’t much bigger), inside your pod, there’s everything you need – and more.
If this is heaven, the angels are the cabin crew. The beatific team glide about the aircraft in PPE like swans on a lake, bringing with them just the right amount of fuss along with beautifully presented platters of food and elegant drinks. Nothing is too much trouble and every delivery arrives with a smile.
Passengers are given free-rein over the menu; nothing is off limits and you can eat in any particular order. Tiramisu to start? Why not.
There’s a damn good onboard afterparty too, courtesy of the Oryx One entertainment system. Offering a whopping 4,000 plus viewing options, if you’re anything like me you’ll spend more time trying to decide what to watch than actually watching anything at all.
If you’re so inclined, the team will facilitate a turn down service complete with pillows and a quilted mattress and a soft, then swaddle you in a quilted duvet before you nod off.
If you’re travelling in Qatar Airways Qsuite, life really is all about the journey and not the destination.