Qatar swings Airbus A350-1000 onto Sydney-Doha, Qsuites for Adelaide
By Brandon Loo, March 19 2019
Qatar Airways’ stretched Airbus A350-1000 will make its Sydney debut from 28 October 2019, while an upgrade for Adelaide will also bring the airline's highly-regarded Qsuites business class to the City of Churches on its Airbus A350-900 starting August 16.
Both can be chalked up as wins for the business traveller, as we rate the Qsuites as the world's best business class in delivering a first class experience – not only through the well-appointed seat with sliding privacy doors but the 'dine on demand' meal service.
These changes also carry an added A350 advantage of flying in a jet that's more spacious, modern and quieter than conventional aircraft, such as the Boeing 777-300ER which currently connects Doha, Sydney and Canberra as flights QR906/QR907.
The Oneworld member's other daily flight between Sydney and Doha (QR909/QR908) will continue on the double-decker Airbus A380, which has eight first class suites and 48 of the previous-generation but still excellent business class seats.
Qatar Airways also flies to Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide, although none of the flights to those cities offer the Qsuites on a regular basis. As previously reported, flights between Perth and Doha will also get the Qsuites treatment between September and at least December 2019, and potentially into early 2020, as the route's current Airbus A380 heads into the hangar for routine maintenance and is replaced by a Boeing 777-300ER. Qantas Frequent Flyers can use their Qantas Points to book onto Qatar Airways, at a rate of 104,000 points for business class from Sydney or Canberra to Doha, or 139,000 points to go all the way through London (or many other major European cities such as Paris and Frankfurt). Also read: How to book Qatar Airways Qsuites with Qantas Points Additional reporting by David Flynn Based in Perth, Brandon enjoys tucking into local delicacies, discovering new cocktails, and making aeroplane food look good on camera.
05 Dec 2018
Total posts 146
Good news for Sydney siders. 😊
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
30 May 2017
Total posts 2
I don't know. Maybe I am a bit weird. Flew Business to Germany last year on the A380 and the 777. So had the "old" business class as well as the Qsuite. As cool and exclusive the suite is, it almost feels too closed. I wonder if people are going a bit overboard with privacy while traveling... I prefer a more airy less disrupted view...
05 Dec 2018
Total posts 146
I am a big fan of the A380 Qatar setup in business class. The open first class looks nice too..
05 Mar 2015
Total posts 1
To each their own. In a premium cabin, my priorities are privacy and direct aisle access. Having my door closed also means I'm free to look out the window without disturbing others. It feels like a hotel room, and I love that.
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
14 Apr 2013
Total posts 325
Adelaide does sometimes - not always gets the A350-900 with Q Suites Installed.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jun 2017
Total posts 39
My go to airline for my monthly trip to the UK. The Q suites / wifi / service are amazing. No wonder qantas-star gives you 1/3 the status and points ti London when flying Qatar. Still worth Qatar. Lol
04 May 2014
Total posts 13
That'd be a *higher* cabin pressure, or a lower cabin altitidue
03 May 2013
Total posts 679
"Like the Boeing 777, the Airbus A350 features the airline's superb Qsuites – which we rate as the world's best business class – but with the added advantage of the A350 being a more modern and quieter jet which also has higher cabin pressure (and lower cabin altitude) for improved passenger comfort"
05 Dec 2018
Total posts 146
The new 777X is coming, seeing how things are with the 737MAX let’s hope
American Airlines - AAdvantage
13 Jul 2015
Total posts 276
While I would complain that Canberra and Adelaide get the Qsuites before Melbourne - I also realize that Melbourne only as 1 flight to Doha per day which is run on an A380. That means the capacity is high enough for an A380, but not high enough for 2 flights per day to add the A350 onto Melbourne, which is a shame because it would be great to fly the Qsuites directly to Europe or something.
Having said that, I upgraded myself to First on Qatar last time and I wasn't really blown away - and I was only 1 of 2 passengers - surely many can't be utilizing First Class?
20 Mar 2017
Total posts 7
I think it's more that Qatar have maxed out their available slots to Australia as to why they won't swap out Melbourne A380. Also the Perth swap out is only to manage the maintenance of the big bird until late 2019, early 2020. The capacity is there on the PER-DOH route to be an A380.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Dec 2017
Total posts 7
Yeah, you are totally correct @dano282. I have flown Qatar from PER-DOH connecting to Europe multiple times both in economy and business. The A380 from Perth to Doha has always been full in peak and off-peak seasons. It comes at a bad time to have to pull one out over the Christmas break as I find the 777 less roomy as their A380. It will still be nice to see that aircraft here in Perth. Great article Brandon
20 Mar 2017
Total posts 7
Totally agree @oliverfreeman , really looking forward to seeing the 777 back in Perth. She is a beautiful aircraft to watch! I am actually doing a work trip to the states in October with QR and when I read this I got excited that I will get to try the QSuites, QSuites all the way to Washington DC and back to Perth. Cannot wait!
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
08 Aug 2014
Total posts 39
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Love, Love, LOVE Qatar Qsuites! It feels like you're travelling on a grand European luxury train with comfort and privacy, and impeccable service always on hand.
12 Apr 2019
Total posts 4
We used to love QR. We have flown 8 times in business class. This May 2019, we will be flying QR for the last time. They advertised heavily about QSuite and so on, but they can’t keep their promise and they will due to “Operational”. To us, don’t say anything if they can’t keep the promise or what they advertised heavily. It just looks and sounds good.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Dec 2017
Total posts 7
I understand, however they do have a good product on their other aircraft. If you are flying May 2019, you will have the BE Aerospace Super Diamond seats which are great. I just got off them on a flight from London and they were super comfortable. I understand your frustration but I wouldn’t leave them for that.
20 Nov 2017
Total posts 1
Very excited to hear that QSuites coming to Adelaide on all flights now. I flew QSuite from Doha to Frankfurt last year and can see what all the hype is about. Looking forward to flying QSuites from Adelaide with my family in September this year.
12 Apr 2019
Total posts 4
Good luck Pepi to get QSuite from Adelaide. It will be great if they keep their promise unless they will say due “the operational” they need to change the aircraft type. 👍👍👍
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
11 Mar 2015
Total posts 191
halleluh! Finally Adelaide gets something good-flew a few times with the open seats and they are nice but a bit narrow when you try to sleep-the private doors makes this more upmarket -flew in EK -SQ-first class and it's very private although the Ek was hard to get in and out when the bed is down with this version if you take the back-facing seats -seems you get plenty space to get around-can hardly wait to try it soon!
12 Apr 2019
Total posts 4
Good luck to get the QSuite. Don’t hope too high. If on the day you get QSuite, it’s a bonus, otherwise you will be disappointed.
23 Feb 2014
Total posts 1
Looks like Adel QSuites available earlier, i'm in QSuite QR915 27 April, happy days!
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