As Qatar Airways gears up to launch its new partnership with Virgin Australia in June 2025, opening up even more routes for Australian travellers, Karryon tests the airline’s award-winning Qsuite product and service from Brisbane.
Queenslanders have several carriers available for air travel to the UK and Europe. However, Qatar Airways offers a compelling option with an award-winning cabin, a best-in-class airport and an enticing stopover program.
Qatar Airways operates nonstop flights between Brisbane and Doha for direct access to Qatar and beyond on its global network.
It’s a skill to make a 14-hour flight feel like a blip – and the Qsuite might have just ruined me for future flying. Read on to find out why.
Check-in and boarding
With the international terminal revamp in progress, Qatar Airways check-in and boarding is seamless and stress-free.
App users can check-in online or use the self-service airport kiosks to generate a boarding pass and bag tags for the bag drop section.
Passengers still need to remove electronic devices and liquids for security screening before entering the smartgates for passport and facial recognition.
On the airside, Brisbane Airport’s international terminal is quiet and uncrowded with plenty of seating options or opportunities to stretch your legs. Some shops are closed in the evenings, but most eateries, duty-free shops and services are still open for travellers.
QR899 departs from gate 80, which is smack-bang in the middle of the action, so you can wander and browse at your leisure before boarding, which commences one hour before departure.
Boarding for this flight in groups 1–4 was ridiculously efficient with all passengers seated on board 20 minutes before departure. The flight was also under 14 hours in duration, arriving an hour earlier than scheduled.
Onboard comfort
Is there anything better than hearing the magic word “upgrade”? I’m bumped up to Qatar Airways’ Qsuite business class cabin at the gate and I’m beyond thrilled to turn left and settle into my seat.
Qsuite is apt here – Qatar Airways’ business class product is spacious enough for you and all your stuff.
Configured in a 1-2-1 layout on B777-300ER aircraft, each Qsuite features a lie-flat bed with plush bedding, a 22-inch touchscreen and media console, multiple charging, NFC and HDMI ports and in-seat power.
I’m in a single suite and twin, double and quad arrangements are also available.
Flight attendants Janelle and Richard introduce themselves to passengers, gliding through the cabin and offering welcome drinks and refreshment towels.
Other luxe touches include Diptyque amenities, which are also featured in the generously sized business-class bathrooms, and soft cotton grey and navy loungewear and slippers from The White Company.
The Qsuite seats can be configured in multiple different ways via automatic controls. A sliding screen offers privacy for sleeping and retreating into your cocoon.
It’s incredibly comfortable and the lie-flat bed position is massively conducive to sleeping in the sky. If you struggle to get some inflight shuteye like me, the combo of pyjamas, pillows, plush blankets and ample room in a flat-out lying position will have you sleeping like a baby. Not to mention the ‘Do Not Disturb’ button.
The Twin Suites can also be conjoined by lowering the partition, which benefitted the passengers next to me with a six-month-old, offering privacy and security for the family of three.
The fun stuff
The Oryx One entertainment system is available gate-to-gate and offers more than 6,000 options across movies, TV shows, audio, music, games and apps, including a curated kids section, accessible via handset or screen controls. You can also keep an eye on your flight map and check out destination info.
Movies are divided by genre and language and include Bollywood and Arabic content as well as new releases. Comfortable, noise-cancelling headphones are a blissful bonus.
The safety video features Hollywood actor Kevin Hart alongside other well-known faces to demonstrate the aircraft features and showcase some of the network destinations, including Sydney.
Qsuite is also well-equipped for those working in the air with plenty of space to use and charge laptops and other devices, along with free, fast Wi-Fi via Starlink available after take-off to keep you connected in the sky.
Inflight food
Qsuite dining is a la carte and on-demand – served whenever you want. Flight attendants will check when and what you wish to eat and for any dietary requirements.
I ordered a special vegan meal, which was served in three courses on white linens with a tealight for ambience, real china and cutlery and tiny salt and pepper grinders.
The first meal commenced with a drinks service of Champagne and a small bowl of nuts followed by an amuse bouche (not vegan but beautifully presented).
It consisted of a salad and bread roll with your choice of balsamic vinegar and oil mix (I chose spicy), followed by a vegan ravioli and a spiced apple and cinnamon cake slice.
Qsuite all-day dining options on my flight featured a choice of carrot and ginger soup, Arabic mezze and Queensland prawns for starters; beef cheeks, chicken rendang, lobster thermidor and spinach and ricotta ravioli for the main course and a cheese platter, raspberry and white chocolate mousse cake, fresh berries or hokey pokey ice-cream.
I slept through the light meal (Thai basil chicken, barramundi, afternoon tea or quinoa salad) but woke in time for breakfast, just before touchdown in Doha.
My vegan entree option was vegan yoghurt with swirled blueberry compote, sliced tropical fruit and a bread roll with jam. For the main course, I was served spinach fritters with accompanying beans and vegetables.
The main two-course Qsuite breakfast options included Greek yoghurt with granola and blueberry compote, seasonal fruit, breakfast cereals and cold cuts for starters and the likes of a cheese omelette, avocado and smoked salmon on sourdough, bircher muesli or cinnamon brioche.
The drinks list is similarly extensive with juices, hot and cold tea and coffee (including Qatari karak chai) and mocktails alongside alcoholic beverages.
Meals are beautifully presented and plated, served in courses without rushing however used dishes and glasses are whisked away promptly when finished.
Travel tip: You can peruse and pre-select your business class meal – a popular option among frequent Qsuite flyers.
The details:
- Aircraft: Boeing B777-300R
- Seat: 3K Qsuite Business Class Single Suite (backwards facing)
- Flight time: 13hrs 41mins
- Luggage allowance: Checked baggage (40kg in total) and 2x carry-on luggage (15kg in total) plus 1x personal item
- Arrival in Doha: 5:45am (scheduled) / 4:50am (actual)
The onboard service
The service really is exceptional. The entire Qsuite cabin team is seamlessly coordinated, making up beds and delivering three-course meals with precision and efficiency with many tasks occurring without my noticing. For example, I leave the suite and return to find bedding has been swiftly added or subtracted while I was gone.
Qsuite cabin crew Janelle and Richard are attentive and kind, without being obtrusive, with genuine, personalised care towards all passengers, from babies to tired grownups.
Beyond the lie-flat bed and cocoon-like cabin, the elevated service wraps a neat bow around the all-encompassing Qsuite experience that is not only luxurious but also caring at its core.
With Qsuite Next-Gen on its way in 2025, Qatar Airways is set to surpass one of the best business-class experiences in the sky with its 2.0 model.
Qatar Airways offers daily direct services from Brisbane to Doha, departing at 9:55pm, on its Boeing B777-300ER aircraft.
Read our Qsuite review of Melbourne-Doha with Qatar Airways.
Cassie was a guest of Qatar Airways.
