Qatar Airways is finest recognized for its Qsuite long-haul enterprise class. However for those who’re pondering of flying Qatar, do not forget that the airline operates a various fleet with a number of seat types. So it’s necessary to be a sensible shopper and know what you’re getting if you guide.
We not too long ago wrote about Qatar’s A320 enterprise class, and we’ll be again later with a dive into Qsuite. However on this story we’re that includes one in every of Qatar’s different long-haul enterprise class seats, which we flew on an Airbus A350-900 flight from Cape City to Doha.
Learn on for the total particulars. For these of you contemplating Qatar Airways in your future journey plans we define how this seat stacks up in opposition to Qsuite. And for these of you simply AvGeeking from the consolation of your properties we have now all of the window seat views and movies you would ask for.
On the Floor in Cape City
We received to take pleasure in Qatar’s Cape City contract lounge, the Bidvest Lounge, earlier than we boarded.
It was a beautiful day exterior, good for some planespotting from the terminal earlier than we boarded.
Meet the seat
Onboard the non-Qsuite subset of Qatar’s A350-900 fleet there are 36 reverse herringbone seats in 9 rows.
Every seat is plush and spacious. With two home windows per seat the views are wonderful.
As a substitute of normal window shades, this cabin has button-operated double-layer shades. The primary degree seems to be like window blinds and set a comfy temper, whereas the second degree blocks all mild. You possibly can see them function within the video above.
That is one in every of Qatar’s older seat designs. The upholstery and finishes look a bit dated however they do the job simply nice.
Every seat has loads of storage, together with a big bin beside the seat.
Essentially the most noticeable factor about this cabin is the wide-open really feel. There’s no door or shielding between the seat and the aisle, although seats within the heart part do have an adjustable divider separating them.
There aren’t any overhead bins within the heart of the cabin, serving to it really feel extra ethereal and spacious.
Final however not least, you’ll be able to’t miss the hanging entryway. On most planes the realm by the principle boarding door is utilitarian, surrounded by galleys and bogs. However on this plane they stored the realm open, with a hoop mild on the ceiling that makes it really feel extra like a resort foyer.
Whether or not you’ll like the general cabin design aesthetic is a matter of private style. When you want tons of privateness you received’t be a fan. However for those who’re right into a spacious sunlit vibe you’ll find it irresistible.
After we settled within the purser got here by to introduce herself and focus on the service rhythm for the flight. We had a second to sip a boarding drink and begin taking within the exterior digicam views.
The Cape City space’s pure magnificence was on full show throughout taxi, takeoff, and climbout. It was one in every of our favourite takeoff views shortly:
Beginning the service
Quickly after we hit cruise climb the crew got here by with a spherical of drinks.
Right here’s a take a look at the wine listing:
The listing of cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks:
The eating menu:
In Qatar Airways enterprise class meals are utterly on-demand: you’ll be able to eat everytime you need as an alternative of being constrained by pre-set meal occasions. Like a lot of the different folks on this flight I went with a meal proper after takeoff.
The small starter was okay however the soup was superb.
The entree was basic inflight fish (a bit overcooked and lightweight on taste) however the presentation was stunning.
A cheese plate rounded out this gorgeous nice meal.
For lighter grazing between meals the flight attendants positioned some bowls of blended snacks within the cabin entryway.
Passing the time
For inflight leisure every seat has a big display. The glossy interface even means that you can pair your cellphone so you need to use it as a distant management. There are a number of exterior digicam views for us AvGeeks. The library of flicks is lots for a long-haul flight or two, although not best-in-class.
The boxed amenity package has loads of goodies inside.
Along with the amenity package, the lavs come stocked with dental kits, shaving kits, and a few fundamental toiletries.
Every seat comes with two plush pillows and a hefty blanket.
The seat controls are intuitive and effectively lit.
In fully-flat mode the seat is additional spacious due to the wider-than-average footwell and the power to decrease the armrests to mattress degree.
Wrapping up the flight
This wasn’t a real in a single day flight and I used to be having an excessive amount of enjoyable to get any actual sleep, so with a number of hours to go till Doha I had a second meal. It was even higher than the primary one, and past that I’ll let the photographs converse for themselves.
Because the flight crew introduced our descent, the flight attendants got here by with Läderach boxed goodies.
Right here’s a take a look at our nighttime descent and touchdown at Doha’s Hamad Worldwide Airport.
We had loads of enjoyable throughout our layover at Qatar’s Doha hub. However we’ll save that for an additional story.
The Verdict
There’s no query that this was an incredible flight. However how did this seat stack up in opposition to Qatar Airways’ significantly better recognized Qsuite?
The quick reply is that Qsuite might be the winner. However the higher reply is that it REALLY depends upon your priorities and there’s no one-size-fits-all reply.
Qsuite is precisely what its title suggests: a collection with a door and a ton of privateness. If having the ability to shut a door and enter your individual personal world is your inflight precedence, then Qsuite is a winner. Qsuite’s upholstery, desk surfaces, and different particulars / finishes additionally really feel brisker.
However suites with doorways are polarizing. For some folks they really feel too constraining and claustrophobic. The cabin on our A350 flight was the exact opposite, with an wide-open, well-lit really feel that some folks could favor. Having tried each, my spouse (who joined me on this itinerary) mentioned she truly most popular this cabin to Qsuites.
After all the seat isn’t the one issue that makes or breaks your inflight expertise. There’s little question it’s good to fly a next-gen jet just like the A350, with greater home windows, higher cabin strain and humidity, and different tech advantages. Simply do not forget that a few of Qatar’s A350s have Qsuite onboard, and a few of their 777s don’t, so to know what you’re getting if you guide it’s important to take a look at the seat map.
In the long run, the seat we flew from Cape City to Doha scores excessive, and the service made the time fly by.
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