What’s it like to travel in the World’s Best Business Class on the World’s Best Airline*? Karryon’s MARK HARADA gives his take on Qatar Airways’ premium offering between Sydney and Doha.
On the ground
Located all the way down at ‘J’ counters, Qatar Airways’ check-in area is busy today. There’s even a line for Business Class and other premium flyers.
While I wait, I get talking to a Canberran on his way to visit family in Lebanon (via Doha). He loves Qatar and offers a few tips for travelling there, so something good comes of my wait.
And before I know it, I’m ushered to the counter, where I’m served quickly and with a smile.
QR Business Class passengers in Sydney have access to Air New Zealand’s lounge. Read our review of the lounge.
The Comfort
After stowing my carry-on in the overhead, I sink into my seat – and fear I might not want to get up to do the stretching and walking one should do on a 14-hour flight.
Actually, to call this a seat would be an injustice; it’s more like a reclining armchair with fancy controls that you’d wish you had at home.
As I survey my surroundings, I find storage compartments all around me. Because you can never have too many storage compartments. My favourite space is the one next to my left leg, which is big enough for my laptop and accompanying electronics.
While unpacking my things, the lovely (cabin crew member) Denise introduces herself – and another, almost hidden compartment by my feet for my shoes. She asks me if I need any help learning about my surroundings. I politely decline, worrying it would take too long to show me everything the seat offers.
Even the Business Class bathrooms are nice, with Diptyque products, the biggest hand basin I’ve seen on a plane, and automatically flowing warm water from a waterfall-style tap. There’s a leather loo seat too.
An amenity kit boasts more of the luxury Diptyque products.
Named Best Business Class Airline seat*, my couch-for-one has more than enough space to fully stretch my six-foot frame when it’s converted to its lie-flat position. And that’s all it takes for me to fall asleep.
The food
When I awaken, I’m feeling hungry, so take advantage of the airline’s Dine Anytime philosophy. While I wait for my dinner, I order one of the many mocktails on offer – a pineapple margarita – and enjoy some warm nuts.
For this flight, I’ve ordered the vegan meals.
Dinner starts with a mix of artisan bread rolls (and choice of four Monte Vibiano olive oils – I choose the tomato chilli), nutritious quinoa salad, Chinese-style noodles with loads of different mushrooms and an excellent fruit platter – all served on a white linen table cloth and fine crockery.
Denise tells me I can also order from the a-la-carte menu, which includes a baked WA crayfish and Gippsland beef tenderloin, with warm toffee banana pudding or gourmet ice cream for dessert.
When it comes to drinks, there’s Charles Heidsieck champagne, Aussie wines, international beers, top-shelf spirits, and a large choice of cocktails. There’s also iced tea and coffee, lots of juices, and even a ‘luxury’ non-alcoholic pink bubbly.
Breakfast starts with a tropical fruit plate (on which every piece of fruit is super sweet and as good as it gets on a plane), and is followed by smashed avocado, mushrooms, and rocket on sourdough bread with baked baby tomatoes and potatoes on the side. A warm, flaky croissant is also amazing.
The fun
There are more than 4,000 “entertainment options” on the flight, all brought to you through noise-cancelling headphones (that even drowns out the sound of clinking cutlery on crockery).
Oryx One’s large touchscreen also features a dual interface that allows users to play a game on a handheld device whilst watching a movie on the main screen.
Films range from Top Gun: Maverick to Marmaduke, while an eclectic mix of television spans 1883, The Tourist, and plenty of docos and biopics. There’s also lots of family TV and games.
Like the visual entertainment, the music reflects QR’s global clientele, with genres from around the world represented.
On the wi-fi front, the airline offers an hour of free messaging all the way up to 200MB of data available across the entire flight for US$20.
Travel tip
Start with the pre-flight lime and mint drink, which is the airline’s delicious signature beverage. It’s so good, you’ll want to order another one (and there’ll be plenty of time for champagne later).
Also, take advantage of the onboard lounge. It may seem ridiculous when you already have a lie-flat seat, but it’s still nice to fully stretch out on its comfy couches – and order drinks without having to move!
The details:
- Flight: QR909
- Aircraft: A380-800
- Frequency: Daily
- Seat: 21F (upstairs, aisle)
- Flight time: 14 hours, 30 minutes
- Arrival: 4.30am (on time)
*Qatar Airways won awards for World’s Best Airline and World’s Best Business Class at the World Airline Awards 2022.
