QATAR AIRWAYS, A350-1000, Q SUITE BUSINESS CLASS, DOHA, QATAR-LONDON HEATHROW
Qatar Airways’ business class product, the Q Suite, is gradually being introduced on the carrier’s long-haul fleet.
On this A350-1000 there are 46 seats. The A350-1000 contains two business class cabins, a main cabin with nine rows at the side and ten rows in the middle, all in a 1-2-1 configuration making 38 seats and then a second, smaller cabin of just eight seats.
The seats are forward- then backward-facing, like many train seats. So the front row, row 1, has four backward-facing seats, and then row 2 has four forward-facing seats. For the centre seats, they can make a four (or “quad”) if the central divider is dropped between the seats and then the fore and aft divider is operated.
The seat has a type of shelf next to it that can be raised to become a large armrest, or lowered so it gives you more room around the shoulders. There is a large touchscreen IFE that is close enough to operate, and a further handset recessed into the side of the seat. The amount of space is really impressive, and I was able to move my laptop onto the upper table and have the whole of the large and very firm table folded out for dining on.
Qatar Airways already has an outstanding business class seat, but the Q Suite is an attempt to do something special – to add a touch of first class comfort to the business cabin. In time the Q Suite will be recognised as a unique product. As on the outbound flight, the service was exemplary, and the food, wine choices and presentation were all top class.