Only once in my life have I been mistaken for a celebrity at an airport—and of all places, it was at Los Angeles’ LAX, where luggage handlers have IMDb pages and roughly 98% of the people passing through are likely to be more famous than me.
It wasn’t my outfit or my attitude … it actually wasn’t about me at all. It was the Qatar Airways service agent escorting me with purpose past the crowds that made other travelers gawk and audibly wonder, “Who is she?” as I was whisked by them.
My husband and I were about to embark on a two-day journey to the Maldives (including a 16-hour flight to Doha, a one-night stopover, and a five-hour second leg), but suddenly, that didn’t feel long enough. We were excited about overwater villas and colorful coral reefs, but we were almost equally as pumped to cuddle up in a double bed in the sky for a movie marathon interrupted only by on-demand dining and a premium wine list.
We knew very well what we were in for when we booked what was a dream trip for both of us. We didn’t write our own wedding vows, but if we had, we would have promised that whenever routes allowed, any big, important trip we took together would be reserved for a Q-Suite.
Here’s a breakdown of everything you should know before booking business class on Qatar Airways—and why it’s the ultimate choice for a honeymoon or any milestone trip for couples.
Checking In
A passenger utilizing the Al Maha Services.
Qatar Airways
The doting service agent at LAX was just a glimpse of what was to come. Inside the Tom Bradley International Terminal, Qatar business class passengers have access to the oneworld business class lounge, where we were dropped off for a pre-flight snack and cocktails after check-in and expedited security. While it was a pleasant way to kick off our travels, that was nothing compared to the check-in experience at Hamad International Airport (DOH), Qatar Airways’ main operating base, upon our return.
DOH is consistently named one of the best airports in the world, with a tropical garden, luxurious lounges, designer shops, and dining options as far as the eye can see. Qatar’s Al Maha meet and assist service sends an agent to greet guests and escort them to the lounge while the immigration service is expedited. Then, they’re guided directly to the gate for priority boarding.
The Lounge
Interior of the Al Mourjan Business Class lounge at Hamad International Airport.
Qatar Airways
There are two Al Mourjan Business Lounges at DOH, but we always choose the newer Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden in the North Terminal, which is almost 80,000 square feet and has possibly the best view in the entire airport, overlooking the indoor gardens known as The Orchard, with its tropical plants and serene water features. There is a la carte dining along with hot and cold buffets, but we often opt for two bar seats near the sushi, where you can mix and match your rolls and nigiri of choice. There’s also a spa with seven treatment rooms and a fitness center. While there, you can also access the world’s first Louis Vuitton Lounge, with its monogrammed furniture and luggage, chic design, and French menu by renowned Parisian chef Yannick Alléno. Globally, his restaurants have a combined 16 Michelin stars. Food and drinks in the Louis Vuitton Lounge come at an extra cost.
The Plane
We flew on the extra wide-bodied Airbus A350-1000, a technologically advanced aircraft Qatar uses on many of its long-haul routes. While these planes are known for being spacious, from overhead bins to seats, they also have LED ambient lighting to create a serene atmosphere, complemented by interiors outfitted in the brand’s signature burgundy and gray with rose-gold accents. Passengers can feel good about the advanced HEPA air filtration and should know that this model emits lower carbon dioxide than its predecessors.
The Seat
If you’re traveling with Qatar as a couple, here is one vital tip: To secure a double bed configuration, select the middle pair of seats (E and F) in an odd-numbered row. You must be on the same booking to do this through the app or online. Otherwise, you’ll need to call. Once you’ve secured your “honeymoon suite,” you’ll be able to replace the divider with a cushion, and both seats will lie flat as one double bed, which your flight attendant will make up for you with mattress pads, plush bedding, and travel-themed pillows. While ours was being made, we changed into our complimentary Formula 1-themed pajamas (Qatar Airways is the official airline partner of F1), and then slid our privacy doors shut and slept almost too well—we actually regretted not staying awake for more of the in-flight experience.
The Amenities
Although we enjoyed the rare time offline, Qatar recently became the largest global airline to offer complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi on board its Boeing 777 aircraft, and it’s adding the service to its A350s starting this summer. At up to 500 megabits per second, the connection is reported to even be strong enough for gaming. Amenity kits feature hydrating Diptyque products, and in addition to the aforementioned pajamas and premium bedding, slippers are provided from London’s The White Company.
The Food
The on board caviar service.
Qatar Airways
Arabic coffee flavored with cardamom is poured from a traditional dallah coffee pot and served with dates as a welcome treat to begin the flight. Qatar Airways is known for its on-demand dining, and anytime snacks on the menu, including lobster rolls and afternoon tea. We shared the steak and lobster mains for a surf-and-turf dinner in the sky to remember, paired with some of our favorite New Zealand wines. Meals are served on fine China, and tables are set with flickering LED candles to set the mood. On select flights from Doha, even caviar service is available.
The Entertainment
Passengers in their Qsuite.
Qatar Airways
Oryx One entertainment includes sports, international films, TV, music, and games. We tend to use our Q-Suite time to catch up on a robust lineup of rom-coms, and this flight was no different. Still, my favorite Qatar Airways entertainment experience to date was the time we flew on Thanksgiving and were able to turn our flight into a Hallmark Christmas movie marathon. (My husband might have a different opinion.) Regardless of what you choose to watch, the suite experience feels like an elevated movie night at home, making the hours fly by. And if you’re a bit of an #avgeek, you’ll enjoy the A350’s tail and belly cameras, which give you outside views at multiple angles.
The Service
From the Al Maha meet and assist service to the flight crew on board, Qatar Airways’ service was a highlight. Every team member we encountered was attentive and dedicated to making the flight a memorable experience.
The Stopover
Last time we flew Qatar Airways, we spent our layover time in the airport, which basically feels like a trip in itself. This time, however, we wanted to get out and see Doha, Qatar’s rapidly evolving capital city. The airline is encouraging this with its stopover program, which includes a night at a five-star hotel from just $24. We stayed at Banyan Tree Doha at La Cigale Mushaireb, which is steps from luxury shopping and has an indoor and outdoor pool, and added a tour with Discover Qatar, which took us through the best of the city, from the National Museum of Qatar and the Corniche waterfront promenade, to the entertainment district’s Katara Cultural Village and the traditional spice stalls of Souq Waqif.
The Routes
Qatar flies to more than 170 destinations around the world, and has expanded its presence in the U.S. Now, travelers can find Qatar Airways flights from Boston, New York City, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
The Verdict
There are plenty of airlines with premium business class offerings, but there are only a select few that make you wish a 16-hour flight would go by more slowly. Qatar Airways was voted No. 2 in the world by T+L readers in this year’s World’s Best Awards, but specifically for couples on special occasion trips, for me, it is No. 1. The starting price for business class from LAX to DOH is $11,495. Since Qatar Airways is part of Oneworld, my tip to U.S. fliers would be to save your American Airlines AAdvantage miles for the type of experience our domestic airlines just don’t offer. Bookings can be made at qatarairways.com.