I toured the 'world's best' business class on Qatar's Boeing 777-200LR and I see why people fork out thousands of dollars to experience it

Taylor RainsOct 8, 2022, 18:56 IST

The door will slide to fully enclose the suite.Taylor Rains/Insider

Airline ranking website Skytrax named Qatar Airways the world's best airline for 2022, based on passenger votes.
The carrier also won the award for the world's best business class, specifically its QSuite.

Doha-based Qatar Airways was recently named the world's best airline for the third year in a row by airline ranking website, Skytrax.

Insider toured one of Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliners at Farnborough International Airshow 2022.Stephen Jones / Business Insider

The carrier, which has won seven times since the awards started in 1999, was praised for its exceptional onboard product, customer service, cleanliness, and food.

Qatar Airways A350.Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock

Of all of Qatar's cabins, its most popular and luxurious premium option is its business class QSuite, which was named the world's best by Skytrax.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The carrier has installed the cabin on several of its Boeing 777-200LRs, Boeing 777-300ERs, and Airbus A350-900s. All of the airline's A350-1000s have a QSuite.

Qatar's special FIFA livery on its Boeing 777-200LR.Taylor Rains/Insider

The QSuite-equipped aircraft fly several routes between the US and Doha, like from New York-JFK, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas/Fort Worth, trekking over 14 hours nonstop.

Flying on a Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER in Doha.Thomas Pallini/Insider

The QSuite-equipped aircraft fly several routes between the US and Doha, like from New York-JFK, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas/Fort Worth, trekking over 14 hours nonstop.

I toured the QSuite on Qatar's Boeing 777-200LR at New York-JFK, which was painted in a special FIFA livery — take a look

Taylor Rains/Insider

The revolutionary QSuite has been in service since June 2017 and is a major upgrade from its old business class product, which is seen on its A330s and several 777s.

Qatar Qsuite.Taylor Rains/Insider

The old cabin is configured in a 2x2x2 layout, meaning window-seat passengers do not have direct aisle access, and there is less privacy between neighbors.

Qatar Airways' old business class on an Airbus A330.Taylor Rains/Insider

Qatar also has a reverse-herringbone business class on its A350-900s, A380s, and 787s that are more on par with QSuite, but still lack some unique amenities.

Qatar Airways' Boeing 787 business class.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Like the 787 business class, QSuite is configured in a 1x2x1 configuration, meaning all passengers have direct aisle access.

Taylor Rains/Insider

But, instead of angling the seats, most of the QSuite seats all face forward. Though some seats face backward, which could be a strange feeling for travelers.

Backward-facing Qatar QSuite seat.Taylor Rains/Insider

However, there is a retractable wall between the loungers that face each other, creating a quad-style seating arrangement.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The layout is perfect for dining together, watching FIFA Football, or having business meetings.

A view of the door retracted to create the quad-suiteTaylor Rains/Insider

The QSuite also comes with several luxurious amenities, including sliding privacy doors that fully cocoon the suite…

The door will slide to fully enclose the suite.Taylor Rains/Insider

…a large flat screen TV…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…a touchscreen remote…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…a coat hook and reading light…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…a plush pillow and bed linens…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…plenty of power ports and a panel of buttons to adjust the seat…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…a large, foldable tray table…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…a spacious storage unit beside the seat…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…privacy dividers between the middle seats…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…and plenty of legroom. I'm 5'3" but most passengers should easily fit into the seat.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Trying out the lie-flat capabilities, I found the padding very comfortable, and at 6'7" long, the bed is easily long enough to fit taller travelers.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I liked the various way to adjust the seat, which could be fully upright or reclined…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…or fully lie-flat.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Travelers will also get a nice set of pajamas and slippers for optimum comfort.

Qatar's FIFA branded pajamas.Taylor Rains/Insider

My only complaint about the cabin is that it felt a little packed when standing on the outside of the seat, likely because of how high the walls and privacy doors are.

Taylor Rains/Insider

But, once inside, the cocoon is cozy and comfortable.

Taylor Rains/Insider

After hearing about the cabin for years and finally seeing it in person, I see why people are forking out thousands for the QSuite.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The unique quad seating is a huge plus, particularly for business travelers, and the privacy doors are important to deep-pocket customers.

A Qsuite Quad.Qatar Airways

Hopefully, one day, I'll travel in the coveted QSuite to see if it truly lives up to the hype.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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I toured the 'world's best' business class on Qatar's Boeing 777-200LR and I see why people fork out thousands of dollars to experience it

Doha-based Qatar Airways was recently named the world's best airline for the third year in a row by airline ranking website, Skytrax.

The carrier, which has won seven times since the awards started in 1999, was praised for its exceptional onboard product, customer service, cleanliness, and food.

Of all of Qatar's cabins, its most popular and luxurious premium option is its business class QSuite, which was named the world's best by Skytrax.

The carrier has installed the cabin on several of its Boeing 777-200LRs, Boeing 777-300ERs, and Airbus A350-900s. All of the airline's A350-1000s have a QSuite.

The QSuite-equipped aircraft fly several routes between the US and Doha, like from New York-JFK, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas/Fort Worth, trekking over 14 hours nonstop.

I toured the QSuite on Qatar's Boeing 777-200LR at New York-JFK, which was painted in a special FIFA livery — take a look

The revolutionary QSuite has been in service since June 2017 and is a major upgrade from its old business class product, which is seen on its A330s and several 777s.

The old cabin is configured in a 2x2x2 layout, meaning window-seat passengers do not have direct aisle access, and there is less privacy between neighbors.

Qatar also has a reverse-herringbone business class on its A350-900s, A380s, and 787s that are more on par with QSuite, but still lack some unique amenities.

Like the 787 business class, QSuite is configured in a 1x2x1 configuration, meaning all passengers have direct aisle access.

But, instead of angling the seats, most of the QSuite seats all face forward. Though some seats face backward, which could be a strange feeling for travelers.

However, there is a retractable wall between the loungers that face each other, creating a quad-style seating arrangement.

The layout is perfect for dining together, watching FIFA Football, or having business meetings.

The QSuite also comes with several luxurious amenities, including sliding privacy doors that fully cocoon the suite…

…a large flat screen TV…

…a touchscreen remote…

…a coat hook and reading light…

…a plush pillow and bed linens…

…plenty of power ports and a panel of buttons to adjust the seat…

…a large, foldable tray table…

…a spacious storage unit beside the seat…

…privacy dividers between the middle seats…

…and plenty of legroom. I'm 5'3" but most passengers should easily fit into the seat.

Trying out the lie-flat capabilities, I found the padding very comfortable, and at 6'7" long, the bed is easily long enough to fit taller travelers.

I liked the various way to adjust the seat, which could be fully upright or reclined…

…or fully lie-flat.

Travelers will also get a nice set of pajamas and slippers for optimum comfort.

My only complaint about the cabin is that it felt a little packed when standing on the outside of the seat, likely because of how high the walls and privacy doors are.

But, once inside, the cocoon is cozy and comfortable.

After hearing about the cabin for years and finally seeing it in person, I see why people are forking out thousands for the QSuite.

The unique quad seating is a huge plus, particularly for business travelers, and the privacy doors are important to deep-pocket customers.

Hopefully, one day, I'll travel in the coveted QSuite to see if it truly lives up to the hype.