Qatar Airways is regularly voted the best business class in the world (Picture: Getty Images)
Having spent three months and ten days gallivanting around the world (not that she was counting), Emma Rossiter capped off her travels by flying Business Class from Denpasar to Heathrow with Qatar Airways.
The 18-hour journey home featured copious amounts of food, over 8,000 choices of in-flight entertainment, complimentary loungewear, a Diptyque toiletry bag and, when it finally came time to catch some Z’s, the option to turn her seat into a queen-size bed.
Would a glimpse behind the glamorous curtain be worth the price? Here’s her verdict.
Emma, over to you.
The background
I like to think of myself as a seasoned flier and who has her flight routine down.
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I’m a ‘get to the airport two-three-hours early, passport and printed boarding pass in hand’ kind of gal.
Once upon a time, I can say I was a business class traveller (Picture: Emma Rossiter)
From there, it’s straight through security and duty-free and onwards to Spoons for a breakfast butty and a holiday prosecco.
That usually leaves just enough time for a quick trip to WHSmith for a Coke Zero and a pot of (proper sized) Pringles so I can avoid paying the extortionate prices of the in-flight beverage service.
However, now I’ve experienced the seamless service that comes with flying business class with Qatar Airways, all those years of honing my routine suddenly feel somewhat redundant – but in the best way.
The only question I’m left with is, once you’ve been treated like in-flight royalty, is it possible to go back to economy? I’m not sure I want to find out.
What is the cabin actually like?
From Denpasar to Doha we flew on what I’m told is an ‘extra wide body’ A350.
Meanwhile, the final stretch to Heathrow was on a Boeing 777.
Both planes had a 1-2-1 layout in business class but the latter seemed to have slightly more space.
Space for fully outstretched legs (Picture: Emma Rossiter)
This, I’m assured, is not unusual and cabins can feel slightly different in terms of layout even if the seat configuration is the same.
On both flights we were placed in the middle two suites, and fair warning for other newbies, some of those middle suites will face backwards.
We were in two such seats for both flights, meaning we were effectively facing the wrong way for take off and landing which makes for a strange sensation, but didn’t affect anything about the in-flight experience itself.
In fact, it arguably made it better as it meant there were no neighbours around us so it felt like we were almost flying privately. Bliss.
What perks do you get?
When I say you’re treated like royalty in Qatar Airway’s business class, I mean it.
The flight attendants referred to us by name and made us feel right at home – not an easy feat some several thousand miles high.
The reclining view (Picture: Emma Rossiter)
They tended to our every need from the moment we boarded the flight – offering a choice of champagne or orange juice and keeping the glass topped up before take off, then repeatedly offering us our choice of drinks, chocolates, crisps, popcorn right until landing. We wanted for nothing.
The perks didn’t stop when we landed in London, either.
Upon arriving at Heathrow, every business class passenger was given a fast track ticket so that we could skip the queues at passport control.
We landed so early in the morning there wasn’t much of a queue but this would be a real bonus at busier times, or for anyone in a rush to make another connection.
You mentioned freebies, what were they?
Qatar Airways has thought of everything to make your flight as comfortable and as enjoyable as possible.
We each received cotton pyjamas, slippers, noise cancelling headphones and even a complimentary Diptyque toiletry bag.
Chocolates to keep you going (Picture: Emma Rossiter)
Both bags included socks, an eye mask, ear plugs, some Diptyque body lotion, facial water, nourishing lip balm, and a 10ml eau de toilette spray.
The only discernible difference between them was the scent of the spray – presumably one aimed at men and one at women – and the design of the bag – mine was a red and cylindrical, my partner’s blue and rectangular.
We’ll be using these on all future trips, if only to serve as a reminder that we were business class people, once upon a time.
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What was the food like?
I’ve never been keen on plane food – hence why I usually make time for a snack shop before boarding. But then, I never knew a mile high meal (I suppose that should be meals) could be. so. good.
On flight one, we had a three-course dinner.
For starters, I enjoyed a selection of warm bread rolls with butter and my choice of oils. I opted for a classic olive oil with balsamic vinegar and a lemon and chilli oil.
Silver service (Picture: Emma Rossiter)
My main meal was a perfectly cooked tenderloin steak with potatoes and seasonal vegetables, shortly followed by a heavenly vanilla ice cream and mango sorbet with fresh strawberries.
My tray table was laid out with a pristine white table cloth, tealight candle (battery operated, of course) and napkin.
The food came served on proper plates with real cutlery. It was a five-star service.
Shortly before landing I was offered a midnight snack – I chose the chicken and avocado sandwich with waffle fries. I’ve never come off a flight feeling so full.
Breakfast of queens (Picture: Emma Rossiter)
But the food didn’t stop there. Once on board our second flight we were offered a second midnight snack. Still full, I politely declined but my partner tucked into butter chicken and rice before getting some sleep.
Two hours before landing, I was gently woken for breakfast – a spread of warm croissants, fresh orange juice, fresh fruit platter followed by a spinach omelette with chicken sausage, potatoes, mushrooms, asparagus and tomatoes.
A far superior start to the day than my usual from Spoons.
Anything else?
I feel like I’ve boasted about the sleep quality more than anything else, but I suppose that’s only natural with an overnight flight. But what made it so seamless was the turn down service.
Now, my idea of a turn down service is basically climbing into bed at night with my duvet still dishevelled from the night before. Not this time though.
Smiled all the way (Picture: Emma Rossiter)
At my request, the flight attendant covered my seat with a quilted cover, added a pillowcase to my pillow, laid out my soft blanket, put a cushioned buffer between mine and my partners seat effectively turning our two seats into one queen-size bed.
All that was left was to climb in and get cozy.
When we were awake though, both my partner and I were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of entertainment on offer.
Endless entertainment (Picture: Emma Rossiter)
With over 8,000 films and TV shows to choose from it was almost tempting to forgo sleep just so we could squeeze in watching as many new releases as possible.
Of course, the entertainment would have been the same had we travelled in economy, but getting to watch it on wider screens felt like I had my own private cinema. Heaven for a film fanatic like me.
Anything you didn’t like?
If I had to be picky – and believe me when I say this is the only thing I could come up with – I would say that the least enjoyable part was the temperature. Yes, I know, woe is me.
Unlike in economy, where the air-con control is directly above your seat, there was no easy way to control the temperature in my suite.
For someone who usually runs warm this meant I overheated in bed a few times, which wasn’t the most comfortable, and made getting off the plane in the UK’s temperamental April weather feel all the more chilly.
I’m sure if I’d said something to a member of staff they’d have shown me a way to keep cool on board, so it’s probably on me for not speaking up.
Would that be enough to turn me off booking a business class seat again?
Absolutely not. I’ve never experienced better service on or off a plane before. Every accolade Qatar has won, and it wins many, is well and truly deserved.
How much does business class with Qatar Airways cost?
Business class flights start at around £1,920 for the same route – Bali to London – in April.
That’s quite a jump compared to the £584 price tag of an economy seat.
Ultimately, for a fuss-free flight and a guaranteed good night rest, it might just be worth the cost.
Final thoughts
I’ve always dreamed of flying business class but I thought it would be a once in a lifetime experience, something I’d splurge on for a honeymoon perhaps.
Now that I have seen how the other half live though, I fear I can never go back to economy.
The service, food, comfort, and facilities were five-star and I had a better sleep than I’ve achieved in some hotels. I honestly cannot recommend it enough.
Sadly, the reality is that I won’t be able to afford to fly business class every time I fly, but I’ll be damned if I don’t try to find a way to treat myself to it the next time I fly long-haul.
You’ll find me searching how to stock up on Avios points and googling which credit cards give you the best airmiles for the foreseeable future for precisely that reason.
Until then, it’s back to my routine and dreaming of the next time I can turn left.
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