I’ve long been a fan of Qatar Airways’ onboard product. Qatar Airways’ soft product is awesome, featuring dine-on-demand and consistently excellent service, though the main highlight has usually been the onboard product. Back when I flew them in 2017 they were flying their 787s between Hong Kong and Doha, and I had an awesome flight (I also connected to Munich with their LATAM-leased A350s, which I enjoyed as well).
Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Doha Airport
For years Qatar Airways operated their 787 between Doha and Hong Kong. However, as of October 2017 they moved both of their frequencies to 777s featuring a 2-2-2 configuration in business class. Since their 787s featured reverse herringbone seats, this was largely an unwelcome change.
Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Business Class Bed
I was pretty sure they were testing the feasibility of a capacity increase so they could run the Hong Kong route with QSuites in the future. Turns out I was right – it’s finally happening.
Starting from October 1, 2018, both of Qatar Airways’ daily flights between Hong Kong and Doha will be upgraded to a 777 aircraft featuring QSuites:
Qatar Airways 818 Doha to Hong Kong dep 02:55 arr 16:05
Qatar Airways 817 Hong Kong to Doha dep 19:10 arr 22:40
Qatar Airways 816 Doha to Hong Kong dep 07:50 arr 20:35
Qatar Airways 815 Hong Kong to Doha dep 00:55 arr 04:25
(Note: Since the first QSuites QR816 frequency departs Doha on October 1st, QR815 will only switch to a QSuites-configured aircraft from October 2nd. If you’re booked on QR815 on October 1st, I’m sorry.)
For the uninformed, QSuites is Qatar Airways’ latest product in business class. Out of the many bloggers I’ve talked to about this product, all of them have ranked QSuites as the best business class product they’d ever flown.
I’ve ranked QSuites as one of the five outstanding business class products I’d like to try in the near future, as it seems to have such a powerful “Aphrodite effect” on a lot of travel bloggers – people seem to love the product across the board. I’m glad that QSuites have become more accessible to people flying out of Hong Kong, and will try to book myself on a QSuites frequency so I can try out the product. Is it really as good as everyone says it is?
Is anyone booked on Qatar Airways business class after October 1, 2018?