Qatar Airways Review: Business Class and Economy Seats

With the Eyjafjallajokull volcano ash covering Europe and canceling my Lufthansa Business Class flight to New Delhi, India via Munich, I had to switch to Qatar Airlines to make the Educational Technology Debate.

I’d never flown the airline before and there were few trip descriptions to guide me – but others gave Qatar Airways good reviews, so I decided to give them a shot. With the closure of most European airports, I didn’t have much choice.

Economy Class

Arriving early at Dulles International Airport to try and finagle my way into Business Class, I was denied the upgrade but at least got exit row seating in Economy Class. At first I was disappointed, for I really wanted a Business Class experience.

Luckily, the exit row seats were damn fine – comparable to most US airlines’ Business Class offerings. The seats were plush with amenities like a footrest, deep recline, and as it was the first row, plenty of legroom.

In addition, on take off I was not asked to remove my headphones, so I lifted off on this adventure listening to Fela Kuti.

Once airborne, I looked at the in-flight entertainment system, which I usually don’t do on US carriers. Wow! I was impressed. Qatar Airways has real first-run movies in their queue, from Avatar to Sherlock Holmes, and over 150 other movies to choose from. I watched a few on the big LCD screen before I fell asleep.

Waking to one of the two meals they served on the way to Doha, I enjoyed good food, nice French red wine, and ice cream for desert. I can still remember the first time I got ice cream on a flight – KLM from Moscow (SVO) to Amsterdam (AMS) – that made me cry in delight. With two containers of Ben & Jerry’s I was almost that happy on this flight.

Doha Airport

On landing at Doha Airport, the romance of Qatar Airways wore off a bit when we had to exit the plane onto the tarmac. I was not so impressed with the indoor facilities either – they were nice mind you, but not amazing. Compared to the usual African airports I transfer through, it was a marked upgrade. But few airports can match Schiphol or Chek Lap Kok.

On the positive, Doha has free, albeit slow, WiFi throughout the airport and a decent food court and shopping zone, though I didn’t try either. I’m not much of an airport shopper and I was not tempted to change in Doha.

Business Class

Getting on the flight to New Delhi was a change. While it took over an hour for us to get from the gate to the plane, once on board, my compatriot in this flight traded seats with me. I got his Business Class seat while he took my place in Economy.

Now I don’t get to fly Business Class much, but I am in cattle class enough to know what luxury is on an airplane, and Qatar Airways lay flat seats – and I mean 100% flat, horizontal, 180 degrees from standing flat beds are a-may-zing! I was spread out and eyes closed moments after the jet plane wheels left the Doha tarmac.

I slept so soundly, on my back and my side that I dreamed I was dreaming about sleeping in Business Class. Yes, I had an out-of-body experience!

I awoke to find the steward had tucked me in under a blanket and there was a rich chocolate at my armrest. As we came into land at New Delhi’s airport, I also found that the seat has two levels of vibration massage, perfect for sore butts that sat for too long in airline seats.

Overall Impression of Qatar Airways

I have to recommend the airline if you need to go where it flies. I personally prefer going through Europe instead of Doha – you can’t beat a beer in Frankfurt or Amsterdam – but if I can’t transfer through the Continent, I’m definitely gonna put Qatar Airways on the short list for the backup airline. And you should too.