Luxury Begins on the Ground
Even before stepping onto the aircraft, Qatar Airways sets passengers up for a seamless experience. Premium cabin flyers are treated to a dedicated check-in area and priority security checkpoint, ensuring a stress-free start to the journey. Hamad International Airport, Doha’s sprawling hub, also boasts Qatar’s signature Al Mourjan lounges, known for excellent culinary offerings and serene seating areas—more on that in a future story!
Walking through Hamad, you can’t miss the airport’s iconic sculptures, including the famous lampshade bear. Is it quirky? Definitely. Charming? We’ll let you decide!
Meet the Seat
For this flight, Qatar Airways’ A320 featured one of its more premium business class layouts with 12 lie-flat seats. This configuration, reserved for longer medium-haul flights, significantly enhances the comfort standard on single-aisle planes. The Collins Diamond seats are arranged in a 2-2 layout, ideal for passengers traveling as a pair but offering less privacy for singles.
While the seat isn’t as revolutionary as Qatar’s Qsuite, it’s miles ahead of standard recliner seats found on many other A320s. The lie-flat seats paired with high-quality bedding ensure you can fly in ultimate comfort.
Cruising at 35,000 Feet: Service & Dining
Qatar Airways is known for its dine-on-demand service, even on medium-haul flights. Passengers place their full meal and beverage orders pre-departure, allowing the dining experience to flow smoothly once in the air. On this flight, the menu featured a variety of dishes, and the meal presentations didn’t disappoint.
The pasta dish paired with fresh vegetables was a clear winner. Image credit: Airline ReporterMeals were served in elegant dishware, and the attention to detail reflected the airline’s five-star reputation. Breakfast showcased the same level of finesse, with beautifully plated selections to end the journey on a high note.
Inflight Entertainment & Amenities
While the inflight entertainment screen was large and featured a decent movie selection, the library wasn’t as comprehensive as offerings from competitors like Emirates. Still, it was more than sufficient for a six-hour flight. The fully lie-flat seats enhanced the rest experience, allowing for a few hours of deep sleep before landing in Zanzibar.
The Verdict
So, how does Qatar Airways’ A320 Business Class stack up? It’s an excellent offering for a narrowbody aircraft. While it lacks the privacy of the renowned Qsuite, its comfortable lie-flat seat combined with Qatar Airways’ signature service makes it a top-tier choice for medium-haul travel. However, travelers should keep in mind that not all Qatar A320s have the lie-flat configuration, so checking the seat map before booking is a must.
