Step inside the business class cabin of Qatar's first Airbus A350 – indeed, the world's first Airbus A350.
Qatar has fitted the A350 with 36 of its latest business class seats, as also seen on the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787.
However, within two years these will be superceded by an all-new business class which the airline promises will include "a double bed."
Read: Qatar promises 'business class bedroom' for 2016
But it's not exactly like there's something wrong with the current A350 business class.
Qatar's business class cabin makes best use of the A350's extra wide design to create a spacious premium travel experience, with an extra inch (2.5cm ) for each seat.
Each set converts to an 80 inch fully flat bed and has its own 17 inch high-def personal video monitor.
While there's no full-service bar as on the Airbus A380, Qatar’s A350 has two small stand-up bars for self-serve snacks and drinks.
These flank the A350's main boarding area, with a unique dome design overhead.
Notice that there are no walls to divide business class into two discrete cabins, as is typically done with aircraft of this size.
It's just one long space, which could make business class a bit noisy – especially if a few passengers decide to congregate at the bar.
Even the loo is pretty flush (sorry, we couldn't resist that pun.)
David Flynn travelled to Doha as a guest of Qatar Airways.
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Lufthansa - Miles & More
29 Jul 2014
Total posts 181
Looks just as good as the a380 and 787 if not better cant wait for the a350 to be on a route I use dont ever fly from frankfurt unless its to LHR
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1207
Is QR using the same seat that VA is installing into its A332/77Ws though both modify the design from the brochure standard?
Lufthansa - Miles & More
29 Jul 2014
Total posts 181
Yes to my knowledge both are using b e super diamond seating
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 732
Fun facts:
1. Qatar Airways is 100% owned by the government of Qatar
2. Qatar's government bans homosexuality and apostasy (both punishable by death), allows forced labour slash slavery of foreign "guest workers" who have their passports confiscated on arrival, punishes "illicit sexual activity" via flogging, and... well, I could go on, but you get the idea. It's an evil shithole.
Think before you spend your money.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
Guess who Qantas and Virgin codeshare with? ;)
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Mar 2014
Total posts 26
Lets not forget "His Excellency" The CEO of Qatar. I wouldnt go anywhere near the airline after hearing how he treats his staff.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 May 2012
Total posts 371
Qantas and Qatar do not code share. They are in the OW alliance together.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
22 Apr 2013
Total posts 143
I think TRB was referring to EK and EY, respectively. Not infurring that QF or VA code share with QR
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 732
And I'd never fly EK or EY either.
I really think Australians need to make ethical decisions about what a**hole emirs they're propping up.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jul 2013
Total posts 203
Great points! Perhaps the airline ratings agencies should include assessment of Employee Engagement, Corporate Social Responsibility, Diversity & Inclusion, and Ethical Business Standards & Practices in thier surveys! That may see a few "top" airlines tumble down the rankings! I personally prefer to avoid paying to fly on government owned airlines, particular those of governments that have less than ideal policies and practices on social freedoms and workers' rights.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Sep 2013
Total posts 188
Your survey dot points seem to align with those used to select our latest Australian of the Year, and look at the shambles that followed that...
12 Jun 2014
Total posts 71
I wish there was a window in the dunny. I like a scenic experience while I'm in there.
11 Nov 2014
Total posts 11
Hence why they dont have a window. Image taking the thrown and watching the World go by, no one else could use the loo for hours!! Maybe read a paper/magazine as well? lol
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jan 2013
Total posts 698
I appreciate any airline that offers spacious bathroom facilities in the premium cabins - consistency of quality of experience throughout a cabin is always a plus. It always feels like a sharp contrast to go from a nice Business cabin (and sometimes even a First cabin) to essentially an airless tiny closet that sometimes requires acrobat skills to move about in.
Emirates might not endear everyone with their interior decor, but everyone I know loves it First bathrooms on the A380 for the amazing airy and light feel they have (thanks to an ample allocation of space).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jul 2013
Total posts 203
When will we see the end of the onboard bar? Really, these things are a poor use of space! The pictures and article above indicate the two business class cabins will be united in one cavernous space punctuated by an area for pax to mingle and make noise. God forbid you have a last minute booking and can't secure a seat far away from this bar area, how tedious will it be having to endure the drone of vapid chit chat while you're trying to sleep or work? Noise from other pax is more and more an issue as the aircraft themselves become so much quieter, there's no need for airlines to explicitly create opportunities for pax to make more noise than they do already! Ban the bar I say!
Delta
22 Mar 2015
Total posts 13
Interesting comments on the ethos of this and other airlines and their wealth built on slavery. Emerites should be included.
But, apart from this, these airlines are not very practical. I am working in Shanghai, but my daughter lives in New York. To fly any of these "luxury" airlines, I have to fly to their country. I know, many do this, including Finnish AIrlines for example. So, to fly to NYC would take about 40 hours with an 8 hour stop-over. This stuff is only suitable to traffic that is going via their idiot countries.
And, the cost is astronomical. What is the point? Seems that traveling now is soley for the benefit of the country of origin. Not for the convenience of the passenger.
08 Oct 2011
Total posts 49
But of course. You need to pick a practical route seviced by a particular airline. If I want to fly from Kuala Lumput to Sydney, I can fly by MH with direct non-stop flight, or via SIN by SQ, or via CKG by Garuda. Would it make sense to fly from KUL to SYD via HKG just because I wanted to fly by CX? CX would not have any rights to fly KUL-SYD even if they do want to operate such a route. And why would you want to fly from Shanghai to New York via Middle East? The Middle Eastearn airlines do not have rights to fly Shanghai/New York direct. You should fly in one of the Chinese Airlines who might operate direct flights or Korean Airlines via ICN, or Japan Airlines via NRT.
24 Jul 2015
Total posts 3
At the end of the year I turn 80 so would like to offer my opinion on the A350 if Qatar Airways would offer me a free seat to Frankfurt. Senior citizens have quite a different view point from the high flying executives. We want a comfortable seat, a decent meal. Not fussed about using my computer on board or the phone. Anyway I am available if you would like my expert opinion. To answer some questions below, some of us travel on the UAE airlines because they are cheaper (on special) than anywhere else. They have proper flat bed seats and on the whole they all offer an excellent service. If I hadnt just booked with Etihad 20% off all business class - I would seriously consider Qatar. I do not want to fly China Airlines or Finnair, or even JAL. Routing is horrific, some of the seats are sloping? flat? bed seats. We almost commute to the UK with two children and our only grandchild there, so we are always looking for a cheap but good quality, business class. I think I looked at Qatar some months ago, but I put it in the too hard basket due to connections, and some other OW issues with proper flat bed seats.
I eagerly await Qatar Airways offer to give my unbiased opinion after a flight from Australia to somewhere in Europe.
BA
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 23
Personally I like the layout on the 777 used on the Aus routes simply because J appears (and is) very spacious. I travel with my partner so the 2-2-2 layout is not an issue however, I recently flew J in a refurbed A330 from MAN to DOH (en route to SYD) and whilst the aircraft retained the 2-2-2 config it had new seating similar to that pictured iro J on the 787 and A380. My experience was it felt more cramped (particularly the window seat) and when the bed mode was employed the area for the feet was very restricted due to the angling of the seats to face the window. The old layout was much better albeit the seat was an angled lie flat rather than a fully flat bed.
It's ok for flights from Europe to DOH but if seat is the same or very similar to that used in J on the A380 or A350 (or if they apply this seat to the 777 fleet) where I am stuck in it for 11 - 14 hours, I might look elsewhere iro future flights to/from Aus.
Can anyone offer their experience regarding the J seat iro the A380 given that it will shortly be introduced on the DOH-SYD route (a 14 hour flight).
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