Qatar Airways - The Best Business Class: Doha-Johannesburg

Qatar Airways has gown phenomenally as an airline in the last few years. It is renowned for its fine on board product, whether you sit up front or at the back. HoweverI recently had the pleasure of flying Qatar Airways from Doha to Johannesburg in Business class on their A350-900, an airliner with an average age of just under 5 years, depending on which online source you follow. 

The Qsuite and amenities

Upon boarding, as is customary with Qatar Airways, I was warmly greeted and shown to my seat, 9A. The Qsuites have been somewhat of a game changer because they truly give you privacy if you need it but depending on how many people are in your travel party, the chance to connect intimately with others by sharing a meal or a drink The middle seats allow up to 4 people to have a drink or meal together, ideal for families. While the on-board suites concept is nothing new from a marketing point of view, it is the level to which the airline has taken it that is so noteworthy. 

The airline offers 'single, twin, double and quad' suites and has pretty much made the idea of a hotel room in the sky a reality - on a commercial plane. What can you expect in your suite? A lie flat bad, mood lighting, generous space and a super large TV screen! There are numerous extras, with pyjamas courtesy of the White Company, London, available on request - this was a day flight. Finally, on my flight, there was an amenity kit by Diptyque, featuring lip balm, body lotion and even a Diptyque fragrance.

 

Visit the airline's website for images and detailed information: Qsuites

Welcome Drink

I was offered champagne after settling in, and here too the airline remains the trendsetter. It is one of a couple, if not the only one, that offers two champagnes in Business class - a Brut and Brut rosé: The Billecart-Salmon Brut NV and even a vintage bubbly, the Laurent-PerrierAlexandra Rosé 2006. These are both excellent champagnes, with the former my favourite NV offering. However, I started off with the Rosé. One of the added joys of the champagne experience on Qatar Airways, is that it is served in full size glasses, continuing the idea of a hotel room in the sky - for this bubbly lover, this is so classy. The champagne flute lends itself to allowing one to immerse oneself in the bubbles as they mesmerise one at 40 000 feet in the sky. 

Dining

There are many great things about business class, and one of the best is the level of freedom enjoyed by passengers. Just taking a look at the food and drinks menu allows you to see this in a microcosm. However, it is also the fact that you can dine when you want. I opted to start my lunch 90 minutes after take off. For the 8 hour flight, it is a generous menu. While the brunch platter looked intriguing with its tasting menu concept, I went a la carte. For anyone who is curious about Arabic cuisine, I strongly recommend the Classic Arabic mezze with pita bread - I have had it several tomes and I never tire of it. For my main, I requested  a classic dish from Qatar, Qatari style chicken mashkool with daqoos sauce - it is a wonderful variation on the Arabic dish, kabsah, with almonds, sultanas and crispy onions making it uniquely Qatari. 

The wine list is impressive, with a choice of 6 wines and 2 dessert wines. However, I was quite content to continue with the two champagnes. Over and above these, there was a great range of cocktails and of course, some exciting non alcoholic options. What more could one wish for? A longer flight perhaps? To quote from a line in their printed food menu, "Flying is endlessly delicious". On a side note, let me add that the economy class offering is excellent too. On my fist leg, Beijing-Doha, I was able to enjoy a lovely Cava. Sparkling wine is rare to find at the back of the plane. Kudos to the Food and Beverage team at the airline. 

The rest of the Flight

In keeping with the unwritten 'hotel room in the sky' concept, Qatar Airways offers a turn down service, preparing one's bed so one can have a great nap or long sleep. The suite door can then be closed and a 'Do Not Disturb' sign can be turned on. Privacy, mentioned earlier, is a big element of the Qsuite experience. While I did not sleep, I did enjoy the comfort of my 'bed', while sipping on a glass of Frapin XO VIP Cognac.

Ensuring that my flight was even more memorable, In-flight supervisor Zhang had set the tone by her sincere and engaging greeting and introduction and occasionally checked on me. Thanks to her for allowing me to show my child-like excitement  at being in the Qsuite for the first time. However, the flight attendant who was assigned to me and did a sterling job, was Donnaye. She struck that balance between being friendly and chatty but not overbearing. She really made me feel that I was more than just passenger 9A. Well done. 

I also had my cheese plate a bit later, and accompanied by a glass of Quinta de la Rosa 20 year old Tawny Port, it seemed a fitting way to end the culinary side of my journey. 

Verdict

I like hotel rooms. I like the whole experience the moment I step into that room. I like airplanes. Travel for me is never functional. If only there was. away to combine these two passions. Qatar Airways, with its Qsuites, has managed to do just that. From the superb onboard space and privacy that the Qsuites provide to the attentive service, it is a great product. Furthermore, from the extensive food menu matched with fabulous champagne and wine, it is a fine product. it is not hard to see why the airline's Business class is ranked as the best in the world by Skytrax. 

Hotel rooms and airplanes - what a magical marriage!

Brandon Stoltenkamp enjoys sharing his food, drink and travel experiences through words.