Flying Qatar Airways Business Class

Business Class passengers flying internationally with Qatar Airways have access to the fabulous lounges, included with their full fare business class ticket. If you are transiting through Doha or departing from there, you will be able to experience the opulent Qatar Airways lounges at Hamad International Airport. So make sure to allow plenty of time to get the most out of the facilities provided.

There are 2 luxurious Al Mourjan Business Class Lounges at Doha’s Hamad Aiport:

• The old lounge is Al Mourjan Lounge, South Terminal, near the big teddy bear, at Gates A and B, and up the escalator.

• The new lounge is Al Mourjan Lounge Garden, North Terminal, near the Orchard Garden, up the elevators at Gate C.

Can you go to either lounge?

Yes, you are able to go to either, or both lounges if you have time. This is exactly what we did, to check out the features in each. There is a free Skytrain to take you from one to the other, or you can walk. 

I was hugely impressed with both lounges and the different features. Firstly, both are enormous, by far the biggest lounges I’ve seen anywhere around the world. A variety of different seating areas and dining areas are located throughout for you to choose from. Both lounges have business centres, play rooms, quiet rooms, smokers room, showers and more.

The dining areas and bars offer complimentary hot and cold buffet options of local and international cuisine, plus salads, fruit, sweets, cheeses, pastries, and alcoholic beverages and cocktails. You can also order meals from the menu to be freshly cooked. The food is exceptional and there is something available for all palates.

Al Mourjan Lounge South

The old South Lounge has a grand staircase with a huge chandelier, leading to the upstairs section which is the main dining room. The most impressive aspect of this lounge is the huge pool-like water feature in the middle, giving resort vibes. The decor throughout  is modern and luxurious and certainly provides more than a comfortable stopover for the weary traveller. The old south lounge has views of the planes on the tarmac. 

During peak times I found it gets very busy, and you may have to wait for a place in the upstairs dining room. You’ll be allowed up when a table becomes available, which can take 15 minutes or so, as I discovered. Lucky I had plenty of time.

New Al Mourjan Lounge Garden North

The new North Lounge which opened in mid 2023, has views overlooking the beautiful indoor Orchard Gardens. There are two separate sides to this lounge. It also has a beautiful water feature, a spa treatment area, games room with snooker table and a gym. If you are a bit jet-lagged you can book one of the many quiet rooms here for a nap. Decor in this lounge is also stunning, with a diverse range of comfortable couches, chairs and eating areas, and all the amenities you could possibly need.

For a little extra glam, you can access the gorgeous Louis Vuitton restaurant (at extra cost).

As the Lounge Garden is newer, it is lesser known, plus not as easy to find, hence doesn’t seem to get as busy, yet!

Whichever lounge you visit, you won’t be disappointed as both of the Qatar Doha Business lounges are exceptional and by far the best airport lounges I have ever experienced in more than fifteen years of flying business class.

Boarding

Boarding is always smooth and seamless with Qatar Airways Business Class. 

Immediately you are greeted and shown to your seat, which is spacious, comfortable and luxurious, with attention to detail in every feature. 

Upon arrival you are given a moist face cloth and offered a pre-flight drink of your choice. A french champagne is always nice, no? Then your order for the first meal is taken and asked when you want it served – after take off, or later if you prefer.

Seating

Different planes have different seating configurations. In fact there are several layouts, old and new, with the latest being the much talked about Q Suites, which are only available for certain routes, on Airbus A350 or Boeing 777.

Some seating configurations in business class allow you to converse with your flying partner, others do not. Some are a mix of front and back facing arrangements, or angled seating, depending on the plane. You can check the seating plan of your plane here.

I’m usually happy to have some quiet time, watch a movie, read, and sleep, especially during a night flight and I’m not fussed which way I’m facing or if I can’t talk to my travel companion.

Flat bed

The biggest appeal for most people travelling business class is the fully reclinable seat to over 6 ft in length which forms a flat bed, including the foot well beneath the screen, giving you plenty of room to stretch out. Crew will make the bed up for you with a thin topper, when you’re ready to sleep, if you wish. A lovely velvet quilt and 2 small pillows are provided. I’ve been able to sleep very well for quite a few hours on flights. A good rest allows you to arrive at your destination fresh and ready to go.

Other features

All business class provides a good size tv screen, with remote and/or touch screen, a nice amount of bench and storage space, sometimes a built-in mirror, and small cupboard. You always have charging facilities, a night light and a large pull out table. Noise-cancelling earphones are also provided.

In-flight entertainment offers an extensive selection of movies, shows, games and music, more than enough to keep you happy.

The bathrooms are well stocked with toiletry products, including toothbrush sets which I always make use of. It is worth noting the bathrooms in business class are a little larger than normal, less people use them, and are cleaned more frequently.

Q Suites

I was lucky enough to experience the Q Suite on my recent voyage from Melbourne, Australia to Doha and what a delight! The flight is quite the journey, 14 hours in fact, but I was not fussed, because I was in Q Suite heaven.

It’s almost like a private room, with an enclosed area all to yourself. Unique to Q Suites is the sliding half-door for privacy, which is a nice touch when you don’t want to be disturbed, or you can leave it open if you prefer.

The seat is a comfortable recliner fully adjustable to your liking, and there is even an extra seat next to you, with a lift up lid to store items inside. Then there is a bench and a large pull-out table. 

The seating format with Q Suites is always 1-2-1 across the cabin. 

Overhead storage is only on the sides of the plane, not above the middle seats, which gives the whole cabin a more open feel.

Q Suites are a little bigger than the older style Qatar business class seats, and the centre suites can be made into double beds or quad seats facing each other, if traveling in a group. How wonderful is that!

Pyjamas and amenities

For night flights, complimentary pyjamas are given out in a pack containing slippers as well, which is something my partner enjoys changing into, whereas I only use the slippers. Of course you are free to take them home with you, which makes a nice souvenir, as does the amenities kit. 

Business class always provides a small toiletry/amenities bag/kit with essentials from a designer brand. If they forget to give it to you, make sure to ask.

Meals, drinks and snacks in Qatar Business Class

All food and beverages are complimentary and available on demand at any time. You have the flexibility to choose your own meal times and sleep when you want. 

Qatar serves you a-la-carte gourmet meals from a wide ranging menu of local and international cuisine, which varies seasonally. Four courses are on offer, plus an amuse bouche. Desserts and cheese plates are included, as is tea and coffee, a choice of breads and condiments.

A good selection of drinks including top notch alcoholic beverages, as well as mocktails, are available.

A range of snacks and light meals can also be ordered on demand, when you get peckish.

All the meals I have enjoyed have been delicious, garnished with fresh herbs, beautifully plated, and served with full silver-service and starched white table cloth, mini condiments and an adorable tea light. I’m very appreciative of all the finer details.

On long haul flights 2 full meals are on offer, which is quite lot of food, particularly when you’re just sitting around and not working it off.

Before the end of the flight, small boxes of chocolates are given out as well. (Because I need more food!) A lovely parting gesture though.

Between all the food at the lounges and onboard the flight, I don’t need to eat for a week afterwards!

Flight Attendants

I have to mention the wonderful Qatar crew who are always super-friendly, refer to you by name, and are very attentive, without being a nuisance. They are  happy to bring you whatever you need. Nothing is a bother.