Qatar Airways has always be known for their inflight excellent and now their award winning inflight product. Their famous business class seats, the Qsuites, has won several awards and it’s no surprise that everyone is clawing over Qatar Airways. Given that it is 2021 and we live in a pandemic world, what is more amazing is that Qatar Airways has kept both their inflight product up to nearly pre-pandemic levels. Providing flyers a world class experience despite covid-19.
Since the pandemic took over the world in March of 2020, I have I been fortunate to fly Qatar Airways several times. Not once have I been disappointed. My first trip was flying Qatar Airways from Los Angeles to Doha and onward to Tanzania. Even the Qatar Airways business class lounge was almost normal. The Serengeti was nearly empty and the experience still lives in forefront of my memories. Please take me back to Asilia Africa! Next up, was the return from South Africa on Qatar Airways. On that flight, soup returned, and Qatar’s inflight product slowly became closer to normal than ever.
Now, flying between Seattle and Doha, to no one’s surprise the flight is somewhat busy and once again Qatar Airways is excelling. Inflight excellent all around. Qatar Airways business class remains the world’s best. Covid-19 or not, on would never know. Flying from Seattle, Qatar’s newest route to the USA, Qatar Airways excels on all fronts.
Qatar Airways Business Class Seattle Ground Experience
When Qatar Airways started flying to Seattle, they were already partnering and codesharing with future Oneworld partner Alaska Airlines. By the time I flew Qatar airways from Seattle in April of 2021, Alaska Airlines was fully integrated into the OneWorld Alliance. Qatar Airways is utilizes The Club for lounge access for elites and business class passengers. It’s not the best of lounges, but with the British Airways lounge closed it will have to do. I skipped The Club, knowing better form previous experiences.
Seattle is also home to three Alaska lounges and a British Airways lounge. Currently 1 of the 3 Alaska lounges are closed. The British Airways lounge is also nonoperational, despite BA operating daily flights.
After being checked in by Swissport staff, I opted for the Alaska Lounge. Precheck made security extremely easy and I was in the Alaska C-D mid terminal lounge very quickly. Staff at the lounge were excited to welcome a OneWorld Emerald. The check in process was a bit time consuming though.
Unfortunately, Alaska IT does not allow for scanning of partner boarding passes. Come Fall of 2021 that should change. Once in the lounge, all things are as expected. The pandemic normal. Everything wrapped and mostly self-serve. The lounge does offer fresh fruit, individual wraps, salads, and soup. Local beers and wines, along with spirits are available. Don’t ask what brand, because it’s alcohol no one has ever heard of. That is something that Alaska lounges and American Airlines Admiral Clubs have in common.
For those who do not have Oneworld status. Qatar Airways is utilizing The Club lounge. Although not my favorite lounge, I am happy to see Qatar Airways passengers have options. Hopefully with the expansion of OneWorld airlines in Seattle, Seattle may see better Oneworld lounges.
Boarding was easy, but then again, my flight was probably only about 60% full. Economy was more full than business, as Business class was only about 1/3 full. Thankfully, Qatar no longer require face shields, however masks are mandatory for all passengers.
Qatar Airways Seattle Business Class
Flying form Seattle, the beautiful 777-200LR utilizes the Qsuites with 42 business class suites. The suites are no different than the A350. Just on an older airplane. I opted for 1A. No one else was in row 1 or row 2, providing me extra privacy. The 777 Qsuite vs the A350 Qsuite from previous flights, provides me with enough to knowledge to now say I prefer the A350. Why? Because the cabin is pressurizations is closer to 6,000 feet. Keeping my skin more moisturized. Even being nearly a foot wider, the 777’s suites are the same size as the A350.
Food from Seattle wasn’t as exquisite as the LAX and SFO routes, but there were many options and offered both Middle Eastern and Seattle Flavor. Snacks include items with local flavors such as Halibut chowder. Other standard options include sliders and paneer tikka. As Qatar is reimaging their service, I would say it’s almost back to pre-pandemic levels. Meals are served in courses. Only the bread is wrapped in plastic.
Wine from Seattle are also very similar to other long haul flights. During the pandemic Qatar airways wine selection actually has not changed much. There are a few new wines, but very similar to other long flights. Most importantly, Qatar Airways new long haul rose champagne is now Gosset brut. At over $75 a bottle retail, Qatar Airways is not cutting any corners. Other wines retailed between $15-$60. Not bad for an airline.
Mid flight snacks include familiar favorites such as afternoon tea, cheese plates, sliders etc. I opted for afternoon tea before landing. As I’m not a huge fan of airplane eggs. Also why should I have eggs for breakfast when landing at 5pm? This is one area Qatar fails, but with their dine on demand, it was easy to opt for something else. And one could reserve a second dinner option if wanted.
Qsuites Amenities
Qatar Airways’ Qsuite Business Class offers a range of amenities to enhance the comfort of premium passengers. In every suite the seats feature fully lie-flat beds with plush bedding, pillows, and duvets to ensure a comfortable sleeping experience. At bedtime, cabin crew make suites into comfortable beds.
Speaking of added comforts, every seat also has an Amenity kit. Passengers are provided with amenity kits that include premium toiletries from luxury product line Diptyque. Each kit comes with lip balm, moisturizer, and eye masks. pajamas from the white company are also provided. I always love wearing these throughout the flight. They are very comfortable. Each pair also has slippers which are handy for bathroom runs.
Each seat also feature a huge flight entertainment system with lots of movies. Plus you can utilize the Noise-canceling headphones which are at every seat.
Not into watching movies, no worries, for just $12 you can access the Wi-Fi for the entire flight.
Seattle To Doha Qatar Airways Final Thoughts
I love to see that OneWorld airlines are growing in Seattle. Qatar Airways service and flight attendants are amazing. Offering a great business class product. As predicted, Seattle is growing in importance to OneWorld partner airlines and I hope to see more growth from other carriers. Currently British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airways and Qatar Airways offer international flights from Seattle. American Airlines has growth plans from Seattle as well. They will offer new flights to Shanghai, London, and Bangalore. As the alliance grows, so will Qatar’s service. If you are looking to connect throughout the Middle East, Central and South East Asia or Africa. Do not overlook Qatar Airways. I promise you, you’ll be impressed.
