Review: Qatar Airways Qsuites A350-1000

"First of all, I find it interesting that Qatar Airways didn’t choose to have electronic shades on the A350-1000. I’m not talking about the 787 dimmers, but rather on the A350-1000, Qatar Airways has “blinds” that can be lowered at the touch of a button, but they didn’t choose to put these on the A350-1000"

I half get what you are trying (meaning I'm being my confused self) to say but to clarify, did this plane not have electronic blinds? I saw in other reviews of QR's A350K that they have them.

Some of the 350k's have the electric shades and some do not according to a thread I saw elsewhere. The first ones delivered did have the shades but newer ones do not.

Ill be doing DFW--->BKK and back in a few months, really looking forward to it.

@lucky - Is there any other spectacular rewards redemption for Qatar Airways (both in coach and business)? I personally don't have that many AA miles currently and I'm trying to book a ticket from the US around the middle of December. I have a lot of Amex points which I'd prefer to use.

@ JB -- Whoops, meant to say A350-900. Fixing the post now. This A350-1000 didn't have them.

Some QR A 350's have the electronic dimmers. But it appears that the ones with the Q suites don't.

Second of all, I absolutely love Qsuites, but there’s no denying the space feels a bit “compact.” That’s to be expected, because they’re trying to use the space efficiently. But by the end of the flight I also had some legit bruises. It’s really hard to move around in this seat without inadvertently hitting your knees, elbows, etc.

I really don't know what you are trying in the suite. I can rightly claim to have spent more hours than you in those suites and I have never faced any issues (bein 1.82 tall and 100kgs). I can only assume that you are trying to do some weird yoga movements. But I have never hit anything and I tend to sleep on my belly and turn around a lot.

Lastly, on all QR flights I have always been addressed by name. Also on my last flight which was in Economy, given that Business was full and I had no other alternative options.

I'm so excited to also be flying this plane for the first time next week, so it's great to have this review which has made me more excited!

I have a choice (as a solo traveler) between the window seats at 7a (fwd cabin) and 11k (rear cabin). I'm thinking that 11k is a little more 'special', but wonder if proximity to the galley might be irritating (the toilets are on the 'a' side, so no issue with that).

Do you have any views?

@CPC, how are you doing DFW to BKK? Did you book two separate award tickets? Or did you just pay for the biz fare?

I want to try qsuites to get to SE Asia. But stinks that I need to separate awards.

On most planes I usually hit my knees or elbows on sticky-out bits of table or frame, but I’ve never had a problem in Qsuites. So yes, I think it’s you. But I’m on QR1 tomorrow, so I’ll double check...

The reason Qatar has different menus for QSuite flights is because of the quad seat in the middle. You can order sharing plates in there which wouldn't work in their old business class.

@Tee Ayo Paid cash for the ticket. $3400 round trip in Q suites seems very reasonable.

"My expectation was that the cabin would be full, and having three of the four seats didn’t seem nearly as cool"

That's as cool as it gets. You get one awkward passenger who doesn't know how to react. That person might just join the famiglia or never say a word the whole flight, which is same as taking a window seat anyway.

Thanks for posting this review. One of the comments you'd made in your A350-900 review, I'd thought you'd might have experienced some major issues on the A351 flight. I feel better now!

I have an Award ticket SYD-DOH-JRO in a couple months. It's funny you mention the compact seat space, because that's my exact concern for reclining/resting and sleeping. I'm a side sleeper so if I can't move around without contortions and banging myself on something it's uncomfortably painful for me. SYD-DOH is almost a 16 hour flight.

I've been concerned enough about it that I'm seriously considering positioning myself in Perth a few days before, and flying PER-DOH-JRO instead, in the F cabin on the A388. Lucky, do you (or anyone) have any experience flying Qatar's F-Cabin 388 compared to the Q-Suites A351, remit the seat/bed perspective? If yes, would really appreciate any impressions!

Thanks again for the detailed & helpful reviews.

We're flying in the middle seats in January, does the cabin stay cool enough to sleep? I usually like it pretty cold to sleep and am wondering if the lack of nozzles in the middle will make it harder if it feels warmer.

Why do you say that the view is better with the window seats that face rearwards?

Isn't the wing in the way?

@ Tom -- Personally I love having a view of the wing and the engine, I think that's half of the fun of looking out the window. 🙂

I can’t agree with you more about the consistent quality of flights with Qatar. Exceptional hard product aside, the service is top notch.

Last week I returned from Columbo to London on my birthday. I splirged for paid access to the Al Safwa lounge and they learned of the occasion. They whipped up a quality birthday cake in record time. Thereafter with every interaction with QR staff, I was met with a birthday greeting - from gate to aircraft.

The inflight crew were of their high standard. I was in the centre Q-Suites, and the sharing platters are a nice feature I hadn’t tried before. The crew went above and beyond to customise a desert with happy birthday spelt out in icing on the plate, and gave me a small plush toy mascot (I am now 60!) You can’t help but appreciate their sincerity and warmth.

Best. Flight. Ever.

Ben, I agree with you on the sleeping comfort in the QSuite. I too find it rather uncomfortable, especially as a stomach sleeper. I actually prefer the reverse herringbone seats for sleeping.

Are there no armrests at all or did you just lower them for the pictures?

Fun fact--those pillows with the travel sayings are free for the taking (one flight attendant offered them to us and we asked two others just in case because we didn't want to be accused of stealing). We have three with different sayings in our library. They would have offered us more but we were out of hands.

Wow, phenomenal report.

Are the A350-900s and 787s going to get the Q-suites as well? OR will it just be the A350-1000s and 777 fleet?

The Q-suites seem structurally similar to Etihad's Business Class on the A380. The difference is that Qatar service seems more consistently reliable, whereas Etihad can be hit or miss.

Flew the A350-1000 2 weeks ago JfK to DOH and it had dimmers

Love the cathedral ceilings of that configuration. Instead of being almost-oppressively squashed down like you are in most aircraft, that cabin is very spacious; it makes a huge difference. Well done QR!

Just flew in Q Suites BKK-DIH-YUL - didn't manage to injure myself, will try again in December. The lounge in DOH has become an overcrowded disaster with mediocre food. They can't continue growing their network as they do without addressing that issue.

"About 15 minutes after takeoff the crew came through the cabin to 'unlock' the Qsuites doors. There’s a key they have that unlocks this after takeoff, and then locks it again before landing."

This is confusing ... the Qsuites doors are locked during takeoff and landing? Isn't this a potential safety hazard should, heaven forbid, quick evacuation be required in case of an emergency?

I love qsuites. I didn't experience any problems or claustrophobia w/ the seats. Great soft product too.

@ BillC - the Qsuite doors are locked in the OPEN position for takeoff and landing.

Just flew on Qsuites for the first time ORD-DOH and it was an outstanding experience. The seat was a little firm (even with mattress pad) for my taste, but it is a long flight.

@Jeff -- "the Qsuite doors are locked in the OPEN position for takeoff and landing."

LOL! This now makes total sense! Silly me for not realizing this (I don't have occasions to fly Qsuites for my travel destinations)!

Thanks for clarifying! 🙂

@Rudi Qsuites have armrests on both sides, no worries. Excellent product.

Strange you are upselling the rear facing seat config. Even BA have finally ditched it!
Personally I feel unwell travelling backwards, especially on taxiing and takeoff.

Whilst it seems the seat looks comfortable, and perhaps a plus, everything else you mention, is equivalent to EK, which you usually slam.

With the addition of a spacious bar area, and soft drinks bar at every seat.

Give me staggered seating against herringbone, reverse herringbone or ying yang anyday

There is a special place in Hell awaiting those wretched passengers insisting on keeping the shades open when everyone else wants to sleep. They flood the cabin with light just so they can look at the wing, the sky or clouds.

Traveled Qsuites 4 times. Always greeted by name. Also on economy, traveling with my wife
I am 1.75, 100+ kg sleeping on sides and rotating and newer got bruces.
Most of the food is middle eastern and not western ☹️

@Paolo
There is also a special place in hell reserved for those passengers who insist the entire cabin is darkened, even on a daytime flight, and that no-one is allowed to stare out of a window at the skies and clouds enjoying the miracle of flight and contemplating the joys of flying. “Everyone else” can, of course, use the free eye shades thoughtfully provides by the airline at every seat but, no, their needs always take precedence...

@Rudi
The storage cubbyhole to one side of the seat is also a padded armrest. You can raise it or lower it as you please - lowered it increases the sleeping area; raised it matched the armrest on the other side of the seat.

Qsuites are incredibly thoughtfully designed...

The slow climb out is another of the byproducts of the blockade. Since you headed north east over Iran, the flight has to stay low until reaching Iranian airspace. This is due to traffic crossing above you. There is only one way into Iran from Doha and flights going that way have this restriction. If you flew north towards Iraq as on other flights, you would have had a more normal climb profile.

The A350 actually has amazing performance, it just can't be used in the beginning of this flight for this reason.

Of course I’m nitpicking here, but you said in your previous review that this flight was going to be *very* different from your previous one. Somehow I was expecting a disappointment, as if one flight is good enough and the other is ‘very different’, a negative difference is going to be much more than a positive difference. So I found that part a little misleading. 😉

That one was good, so this one can only be spectacular. (Come on. It’s QATAR AIRWAYS. It can *never* get better than this. EVER.)

Correction: disappointment, *because* if…

That’s because ‘as if’ can be confusing.

You’re not alone. I cannot sleep on planes either. I just watch movies most of the time and the occasionally not really nice looking “nap” with the head bouncing around
Qsuite looks stunning though

@Paolo

Use your damn eyeshades.

I don't want to live in the dark when it's daylight. I also like to read books. Yes, actual books.

@Lucky, Where do you stand on the Climate Change issue? Celebrities in the UK are regularly lambasted and/or pilloried in the newspapers for flying unnecessarily, in business rather than coach/economy, in private jets rather than on scheduled flights, or even at all. Yet others, like yourself, fly around the world with gay abandon, apparently blissfully unaware or unconcerned about the harmful effects to which the emissions from your flights are contributing. Don't get me wrong. I'm not an eco-warrior, and I do sometimes take flights to do things that I want to do, rather than need to do - holidays, etc. - but I (and others of your readership?) would be interested to know your thoughts on the matter. JG

Another Claudine from the Philippines?
What are the odds?!

@A Consumer I'm not Lucky so I cant answer for him, but I can tell you that, daily, we use things/do things/partake in activities that ALL contribute to climate change. I say, let people live and let them do their job, let them be happy, we all can do small things that can better the environment, but in the big picture, we can't try to regulate every little thing or big thing we do or it will drive us crazy. Let the man fly, it's his job, hobby, and passion, the same way you have your lifestyle and interests, and yet no one is attacking you because of that. There are BIGGER factors that negatively contribute to climate change WAYYYY more than Ben flying more than you do.

@A Consumer,

If you find credible studies, you'll see that aviation in and of itself is a relatively small percentage of the climate issue. Yes, aircraft use a lot of fuel, obviously, but in the global scheme of things, it is a small percentage of the climate problem. Ground vehicles and industry in a few concentrated areas of the world make up the true bulk and are actually the major issue.

If the world stopped flying tomorrow, the climate problem wouldn't go away. Aircraft are actually a very efficient mode of transport. To move X amount of persons or product, Y distance with in the time involved with the amount of fuel used is difficult to be equalled by other industries. The advances in engines and aerodynamics in the last decade alone have helped tremendously.

This past week I took that flight in the opposite direction, DFW to DOH. Really enjoyed it even with the high expectations going in (first time in qsuites).

One issue I'm wondering if it is common, though. We had the two seats in the middle and were clearly traveling together, but the service flow on our two sides were quite different. My flight attendant was prompt and effortless seeming, while my partner's service was always slower and seemed behind. For example, we requested dinner for the same time but mine came course by course quicker than hers. Just would have been nice to have one flight attendant for us both tourists have a consistent experience, though I get why that is tough with separate aisles.

@A Consumer -- "Yet others, like yourself, fly around the world with gay abandon, apparently blissfully unaware or unconcerned about the harmful effects to which the emissions from your flights are contributing."

As others have stated -- NOT speaking for @Lucky, but just to present some *Factual* information --

On this controversial issue, we need to go back to foundational basics about the entire phenomenon of Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW), now morphed into Anthropogenic Climate Change (ACC) -- just *How* do we know the extent of this purported *Crisis*? And I'm *Not* being snide at all about this! Climate has been changing over the geological eons and has, since the beginning of Earth, way before Man ever existed! The only contentious issue then becomes, is Man contributing towards such changes in significant ways?

Climate "science" is a very nebulous subject because, unlike more traditional sciences that can be tested with the Scientific Method, climate spans such long timeframes as to preclude such Scientific Method validations. As a result, there are those who will *Intentionally* conflate Pollution, Weather, and Climate, in order to very grossly mislead the public!

Note that Pollution is a localized phenomenon (unless talking about global micro-plastics contamination that have now become all pervasive throughout every corner of our precious oceans), and *No One* is in favor of a polluted environment! Pollution *Is* undeniably caused by Man and *Must* be curtailed and *Cleaned Up*!

Weather is what we all experience on a day-to-day basis (sunshine, cloudy, windy, rainy, snowy, etc). Weather is also *Seasonal* in nature and recurs annually. Man has *Tried* to influence localized weather before (eg, seeding clouds to try and induce rainfall, etc), with varying degrees of success.

Climate, on the other hand, is defined to be much longer-term behavior of the Earth's atmospheric and oceanic interactions, often spanning minimally centuries all the way into millennia! In order to be properly deemed as "climate," then, there must be a change in trend that spans that *Same* interval of time! Otherwise, it can be considered as shorter-term *Weather Anomalies* and *Not* truly reflective of *Climate Change*!

Now ... we currently have all those Fearmongers going around proclaiming an imminent End-of-the-Earth apocalypse induced by Man's activities! But does that even make *Any* sense? Have we even seen consistently increasing "Record Warming" over the past 100 years, whether natural or Man-induced? Historical records tell us that during the 1930s and early 2000s we had even *higher record* temperatures than recently claimed (within last 3 years) as "record-breaking"! I think that most reasonably intelligent people can agree that the impacts of Man during the 1930s vs. 2019 was tremendously *Less* than today, yet they had even higher "record temperatures" back then! We all need to be wary of how those Fearmongers love to "Cherry-pick" temperature timeframes (windows) that *Only* fit their narrative and agenda, rather than the entire spectrum of more meaningful historical timeframes!

This proves that the claimed imminent Apocalypse from recent "record high temperatures" is *Totally Fake* and *Intentionally Contrived*!

Let's next look at what is claimed to be *The* underlying *Cause* of their already-debunked idea of recent "record high temperatures". Everyone has been (mis)-lead to believe that GreenHouse Gases (GHG), but especially CO2, are *The* culprits for AGW! Most may not even realize that CO2 is *Not* even the most prolific GHG in the atmosphere! Look up at the sky and what do you see? White puffies called *Clouds*? It turns out that H2O is *The* largest component of GHG and it has way greater immediate impacts on Earth's surface temperatures than CO2 can, even over decades and centuries! Look at it this way -- the "projected" temperature rises over decades due to CO2 increases in the atmosphere is usually touted to be 0.3-deg C ... just go outside and directly experience how many deg-C differences there are between sunny vs. cloudy days (eg, 5-deg C or more)!

The important thing to understand is that *All* of these Fearmongering claims are based on *Totally Flawed* and *Corrupted* projections from computer climate models and are, therefore, *Totally Meaningless*!

Unfortunately, AGW has always been an Agenda of Global Power Grabbing and Global Redistribution of Wealth rather than anything about saving the Earth from some *Fake* Apocalypse!

Even the former Chief-of-Staff to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Green New Deal) recently CONFESSED that AGW really had NOTHING to do with saving the Earth, but was TOTALLY an Agenda about Power Acquisition and Economic System Modifications (ie, Redistribution of Wealth)!

So everyone should just go ahead and fly all they want WITHOUT any feelings of GUILT! The world is NOT going to face any Apocalypse due to that GREATEST HOAX upon Man called AGW!

"I don’t know what it is, but sometimes I really struggle with sleeping on planes."

Well... maybe it's the caffeine you're drinking? Just a thought.

I just flew on Qatar Airways from Houston to South Asia (via Doha) with the outbound in Business and the return in Economy. I had flown Turkish Business roundtrip on the same route about 5 months before and comparing the two, I would have to say Turkish was the clear winner. I agree that Qatar has newer planes, we also flew on the Airbus A350-1000 on both sectors, and that their service is a bit more polished but overall I had a better experience on Turkish.

First were the seats -- I definitely agree with you that "there’s no denying the space feels a bit “compact."...it’s really hard to move around in this seat without inadvertently hitting your knees, elbows, etc." The space felt very compact and narrow - it was definitely hard to move around. While there was more storage space on Qatar, Turkish's 777 Business class had wider seats and were generally more comfortable (especially after the 9th hour on the plane).

Where Turkish was the clear winner was in terms of cuisine - the quality and quantity of food served was outstanding and far superior to the quality and quantity of food served on Qatar. I have traveled many times, all around the world, and luckily I have never gotten sick from airplane food but after eating Qatar's food I did get sick (and I talked to my fellow passengers who experienced similar in terms of quality and quantity of food - both on the outbound and the return).

All the reviews said Qatar was supposed to have this amazing service and product so that was I was looking forward to, but in the end it was subpar service on a new product.

You can see my full review of Turkish on my blog and my Qatar review is upcoming

I always fly by Qatar while flying to India, love their ambiance, amenities, luxury, comfort, attention to details and quality of food/ drinks.

The nice touch of the pjs and mattress cover add to the comfort. I have had no problem with sleeping comfortably, but I can't sleep for more than 2 hours in flight.

This Dec I am flying first time in 350-1000 JFK-DOH-BOM (Qsuites), will compare how they fare against 777-300R (Qsuites) that I take from IAD.

Not sure if it's a good deal, I paid $3000 for the whole trip: JFK-DOH-BOM and return, all 4 sectors in Qsuites.

@The nice Paul - amen (on window shades)! I hate when the shades are all down (for good reason in the south, to keep the plane cool), but then everyone just defaults to keeping them closed on daytime flights. So annoying! Wish the US had the same requirement as some other countries to open all shades on takeoff and landing.

@Paolo, one of the reasons I fly is to see the world below and on each flight there is something spectacular to see. On one occasion, I witnessed a 2hr show of the Northern Lights over Greenland. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. It was only me who enjoyed it though, as everyone else had their window shades closed and were either sleeping or watching movies. You would have been one of them.

Great review once again, your comments abut being "banged" around by the seat seemed a bit strange but if you're not a good sleeper it could explain the problem. I love qsuites and rear facing is my preference. Id agree that the menu doesn't seem to change, perhaps their catering needs to be addressed in feedback and cycle different menus pertaining to different seasons ?

Took Qatar Airways on DFW-DOH-HAN and back recently and couple of notes:
1. DFW-DOH was on exact same plane you took (I sat in 9K) and yes, this plane does not have electric blinds, but on return (DOH-DFW) blinds were electric (on A350-1000).
2. No issues whatsoever with space - never bumped into anything on both long flights.
3. Totally agree on rear-facing window seats being the best - I had 9K both ways and would gladly take it again, especially because there is no one in front of you and lav is far away (in my case it was even on the other side of the plane).
4. Service is top-notch and I am forever spoiled with "dine anytime" feature.
5. DFW-DOH had a marvelous 7hr sleep, but there IS one feature I don't like about the bed - the gap between the backrest and actual seat - if you manage during sleep to get into that one bad spot it may become uncomfortable over time.
To summarize things - it's going to be very hard to fly on any other biz product after Qsuites!

I am flying the Q-suite next March on the 777-300, which should be awesome. However, this is being written as a comment to CT/Virginia re: her consideration of stopping in Perth for a few days and then going on to Doha in first class on the A388.
My suggestion--DO THE STOP IN PERTH!! We did last March, sitting in seats 1-A and 2-A.
Truly nothing like it, the caviar service, the fresh-water Australian crawfish (which to me were the equivalent of Florida lobsters) and just the wonderfulness of being on the A380. Also, LOVED PERTH. Been to OZ seven times, and it is one of my favorite cities anywhere.

@ CT/Virginia
i just flew 388 F to Doha and Qsuites 777 back to Frankfurt.
Both are great products - BUT i must admit that the bed in F was a lot better - it is much wider and softer and longer - it is for sure the better sleep that you get - not that Qsuites is bad though...

The problem with both Etihad & Qatar is the way they control the temperature. Ive always had issues with cabin feeling too warm on their flights. Im the same way where I cannot go to bed on either Etihad A380 Apartments/Studio & QSuites because of warm flights. On the other hand, I slept so well on KLM & AA+BA business class on my flights to India.

I'm excited to fly this in March! Was able to score CPT-DOH-SFO all business QSuite class for 75k AA miles.

Great review. One grammatical mistake throughout the post: every time you say "further," it should be "farther." Use "farther" when talking about things that can be measured—like distance from the aisle. Use "further" for everything else. E.g., "one further question," etc.

Are you saying that for takeoff and landing you are "LOCKED" in your Q-Suite? Seems like that would break FAA safety rules?

The Q-Suite doors are locked in the OPEN position for takeoff and landing.

Hello
 
We’re currently planning a trip from Paris to Doha as a couple, and I wanted to ask about the windows seats ( for example if you're sitting 4J and your companion 4K - Which are “face to face” window seats ) ..... because four our holiday dates, that only what's remaining  - Windows seats ........
 
The plan would be an 777-300ER I was wondering  ( I cannot find accurate info on this ) if the TV was able to slide so you could actually see your companion from your q-suite ( the same way they operate to make the Quad suite configuration but here, for window seats ) or if the TV was fixed and no panel was movable ( and so you cannot see each other during the flight … )
 
I know that in the Q-suite v2 "nextGen" the TV will be able to slide, and even flip to be aligned with the aisle panel, and you could have full "view" on your companion, but that configuration is expected only in end of 2025/2026
 
Thanks for much for your answer