Premium cabin airline seats have come a long way over the years. We’ve gone from recliners, to fully flat beds, to seats with doors, and now we even see some products that have double beds (or at least that’s how they’re marketed). That brings me to a question that a reader asked.
In this post:
What’s appropriate for couples in airplane double beds?
A gay OMAAT reader who asked to remain anonymous shared that he’s flying Qatar Airways Qsuites soon for the first time with his partner. With the Qatar Airways Qsuites having a “double bed” of sorts (often referred to as “honeymoon seats”), he wants to know if he’s putting them at risk by picking those seats and then having the beds made next to one another.
There are an increasing number of airlines offering some sort of double beds in first & business class, ranging from China Eastern, to Lufthansa, to Qatar Airways, to Singapore Airlines, and more. Among the airlines with such a product, Qatar no doubt has the strictest laws against homosexuality, at least on paper.
So, would I feel comfortable sleeping in the double bed next to Ford? Yes, 100%. First of all, keep in mind Qsuites doesn’t offer a true double bed — there are still separate footwells, so you’re not able to spoon (at least not for your bottom half), even if you wanted to, and felt comfortable doing so.
However, personally I wouldn’t recommend any sort of public displays of affection (PDA). That’s not necessarily due to being gay, but just because Qatar heavily frowns down on PDA (heck, in Qatar it’s appropriate for same sex people to greet one another with a kiss on the cheek, while it’s not appropriate for opposite sex people).
Don’t get me wrong, it’s highly unlikely you’d be “policed” in this way, but if your goal is to be 100% cautious, then it makes sense to avoid that.
While I can’t imagine it would ever come to this, I sort of wonder if giving someone a kiss before going to sleep on a plane qualifies as PDA? You’re in a suite with a door, though the door isn’t so high, and people can still look over it. So technically if you give your spouse (gay or straight) a peck on the cheek, is that PDA (specifically, the “public” part of “PDA”)? I don’t know. Like I said, that’s theoretical.
But seriously, there’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of with sleeping next to your travel companion in Qsuites, whether it’s your girlfriend, husband, cousin, grandma, sidepiece, stuffed animal, or whatever.
So my advice is yes, sleep next to anyone, but no PDA. And to state the obvious, absolutely don’t try to join the mile high club.
What airplane beds actually have the most privacy?
While we’re on this general topic, of all the airplane seats out there, which actually offer the most privacy in bed mode? There’s only one product in commercial aviation that offers 100% privacy, and that’s Etihad’s The Residence on the Airbus A380. This is a three-room suite, and you literally have a private bedroom that can accommodate up to two people.
Ironically, though, I actually find the bed to be rather uncomfortable for two people, as it’s really not that wide. If I were traveling with someone, I’d prefer two First Class Apartments, purely in terms of comfort when sleeping.
I’d say the second most private first class product that can accommodate two people is Lufthansa’s Allegris first class on the A350, and specifically, the First Class Suite Plus. Once again, this is a super comfortable bed for one person, but for two people, it’s definitely on the tight side, compared to having two separate suites (and there’s no discount for booking this compared to two seats).
This product has privacy partitions that go from the floor to near the ceiling (no one could look over them), though the thing to be aware of is that the door handles are essentially cutouts in the “door” fabric, so you can see through them.
Bottom line
As a general rule of thumb, if an airline offers double beds in a premium cabin, you should have no qualms booking them and sleeping in them regardless of whether you’re gay, straight, or whatever.
Even for a country like Qatar, there are no laws against sleeping next to someone of the same sex on an airplane, and that same principle applies here. Of course I wouldn’t recommend trying to do anything beyond sleeping, but I don’t think that’s what was being asked here (and if it is being asked… well, then I don’t recommend doing that).
Where do you stand on the correct etiquette in airplane double beds?
I've always found the SQ and QR "double bed" concept to be false advertising. There is clearly a partition between the seats and I can't begin to tell you how many times I've read "disappointed" posts about that on Flyertalk etc. from people who were expecting a true double-bed.
I believe self respecting gay men should think twice before giving money to governments and their companies if they oppress their own gays at home.
Despite the Qsuites being Ben’s favorite business class, never ever would you find me in them.
You have what you believe to be very valid reasons for boycotting ME airlines, however, I have say that you are cutting of your nose to spite your face.
Similarly, apparently, many U.S. and Canadian citizens are doing the same thing in boycotting each other’s products for political reasons. In the free world we are able to choose things for our own reasons I suppose …. :-)
Being a gay man and having lived in the Middle East, I absolutely would not. Maybe I would keep the partition half way, but no way would I utilize the double bed feature. The risk of someone being offended and reporting it to cabin crew is high. Ben is famous. He would be OK but someone who is not, could be detained. And I highly doubt under current conditions, the American Embassy would make it a priority to assist.
Whilst the State of Qatar has issues, I've never had any issues flying Qatar Airways as a gay male. Obviously I haven't done anything offensive to warrant different treatment; but all staff and crew have been super friendly and welcoming.
"so you’re not able to spoon (at least not for your bottom half)" Qatari law is that only tops can spoon?! Sorry bad joke I know
What a rude and homophobic comment.
Actually it’s neither rude or homophobic. That is a comment obliviously by a gay man. You either don’t understand the joke or have no sense of humor
@Super - That made me LOL.
@JT - Inappropriate? Sure, kinda. Homophobic? Hardly.
One has noted that Ben, agrees that The Residence bed is about as much use for two people to SLEEP in, as rocking horse manure would be to a keen gardener. I did try to warn you Ben.
From my ME experience of those Muslims who dislike ‘westerners’ and currently those who detest U.S. citizens, I would say this ….
If your flight destination is to any ME country, do not trust to fate to...
One has noted that Ben, agrees that The Residence bed is about as much use for two people to SLEEP in, as rocking horse manure would be to a keen gardener. I did try to warn you Ben.
From my ME experience of those Muslims who dislike ‘westerners’ and currently those who detest U.S. citizens, I would say this ….
If your flight destination is to any ME country, do not trust to fate to the discretion of a ME airline crew. Some, I repeat, some, can appear to be tolerant and open minded to your face, yet would soon appear offended in the presence of other Muslims. Upon landing in a Muslim country after an apparent conjoined sleepover, complications might occur. However, no such challenges should arise if travelling from a ME country to Europe, the U.S. etc.
Where I to be travelling with a male friend, to avoid any raising of eyebrows from the crew, I would raise the dividing screen at turndown time. What one does afterwards is up to the individuals concerned.
Comparing Qatari greeting kiss with PDA is a terrible comparison. I would expect much more from a seasoned global traveler such as yourself.
This is like saying Japanese gets naked in onsens so it okay to be naked in Japan?
The point of that was to note how (to a westerner) Qatari's have byzantine perceptions of what is considered PDA (again, compared to western sensibilities). It was not to state that a hello kiss between men means men can kiss in public.
Again you're confusing and comparing 2 completely different interactions together.
Men and women don't even shake hands. Which still has nothing to do with PDA between any gender. Nor is touching hands a sign of PDA.
Now go walk naked around Ginza.
Many years ago I flew on the old SQ suites on their A380, and we had a double suite, and it was our anniversary. This was when Singapore still had their anti gay (men) law. There was no issue, and the Stewardess were amazing. We even had a cake to celebrate our anniversary, but the cabin manager told the other stewardesses to close our suite doors for "privacy". I personally would not do this on...
Many years ago I flew on the old SQ suites on their A380, and we had a double suite, and it was our anniversary. This was when Singapore still had their anti gay (men) law. There was no issue, and the Stewardess were amazing. We even had a cake to celebrate our anniversary, but the cabin manager told the other stewardesses to close our suite doors for "privacy". I personally would not do this on any middle eastern airlines just to not get any kind of looks or potential issues from the countries that practice Islam.
So you prefer the cane or being spanked?
We’ve flown Q suites as a gay couple many times and some of the times with a double bed. Our first time flying Qatar was with the double bed back in 2018 and we were as well hesitant to ask them to make it into a double bed. The FA’s were so friendly and proactively asked to make our seats into a double bed after taking photos of us together before take off and talking...
We’ve flown Q suites as a gay couple many times and some of the times with a double bed. Our first time flying Qatar was with the double bed back in 2018 and we were as well hesitant to ask them to make it into a double bed. The FA’s were so friendly and proactively asked to make our seats into a double bed after taking photos of us together before take off and talking about our trip together. There have definitely been hand holding the kisses on board from us and I have to say that every Qatar flight I’ve been on I’ve felt overwhelmingly welcomed as a gay couple. I would say the on board experience is very different than in Qatar. I would not have felt comfortable in Qatar doing these things, but hey they aren’t appropriate for straight people culturally either! Enjoy the experience, it’s top class!
My husband and I didn’t even think twice about booking the double bed on Qatar, but also the Q-Suites really don’t feel private as it’s so easy to peer into them when you walk past. And yes, it’s sort of a double bed, but it’s not like you have a single large sheet or blanket that you’re both lying under.
Einstein agrees with ClownDancer:
“if you give your spouse (gay or straight) a peck on the cheek,” that is PDA.
In Qatar and most of the rest of SW and S Asia, it’s anything but rare for same-sex adult relatives and even same-sex friends to share a bed while traveling. But, unfortunately, you can’t count on all people minding their own business and not making assumptions and then causing a problem by trying to accuse some individuals or groups of what constitutes illegal activity in a jurisdiction of relevance.
If there is a problem, blame it on Bilt's complexity and everyone will understand.