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10 reasons to get on board with Qatar Airway’s QSuite

Double beds, pyjamas, a family dinner table, actual closing doors, and 3,000 films? Yes, this is a plane we’re talking about – not a mansion. Here are 10 reasons you should get on board with Qatar Airway’s new QSuite.

Published: 23 October 2017 08:25 CEST
10 reasons to get on board with Qatar Airway’s QSuite
All photos: Qatar Airways

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a traveller in business class will be much more comfortable than those in economy.

But that truth just became – well, even truer. Qatar Airways has announced what is probably the coolest business class seat in the world – the QSuite. Here are 10 reasons we’re dying to try it out.

1. The best bed! (And pyjamas!)

Let’s start with the obvious. Sure, flying business class whatever the airline means you can kind of convert your seat into a bed. But how often will you find a bed that is completely horizontal? Not only that, but you get bespoke pillows and a fluffy warm duvet for a truly cosy night’s sleep.

We all know that travelling in the same set of clothes for an extended period of time is, well, unsavoury. Thankfully, QSuite passengers will be given White Company pyjamas, for maximum comfort. You’ll forget you're on a plane.

For those of you who struggle to get to sleep in the air, the struggle is no more.

2. Make that a double

What if you're travelling with your dearly beloved? Lucky for you, seats in the new QSuites can convert into a double bed. Yes, that’s right, a double bed in the air.

Qatar Airways is the first airline in the world to offer a double bed in business class. Share with your spouse! Share with your kids! Be a glutton and book two seats so you can sleep in starfish position with a double bed entirely for yourself! No judgement here.

3. Privacy!

But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you have to watch strangers cuddle. Because that’s awkward.

The QSuite also comes with full privacy: you’ve got doors and panels which can completely surround you. As Beyonce says, roll up the partition please…

4. Even more privacy

And just like a hotel room, the QSuite has a “Do Not Disturb” sign you can switch on and off – so that couples can really relax…

Find out more about the QSuite

But we’re not implying it’s just for couples. As a traveller in the QSuite you are entitled to as much privacy as you’d like, no matter what your relationship status or business purpose. Close off from the world (or plane) and flip on that sign. Making small talk with strangers on a plane doesn’t have to be part of the experience anymore.

5. Social celebration

And yet… the QSuite allows you to be more social than ever before on a plane. Flying on your birthday? Bringing your best friend for a surprise stag party abroad? Four inner seats can be combined into one suite, with two seats on each side facing each other. Plus, in business class champagne flows aplenty!

6. Travelling tapas (or platters that matter)

Speaking of food, QSuite flyers will be treated to the most delectable of dishes, cooked up by the airline’s distinguished chefs. All the food on Qatar Airways is delicious – but in the QSuite travelers can also choose from family-sized platters to really help you get in that party mood. Sharing is caring! Eating on a plane is no longer a solitary experience – you’ll feel just like you’re at your dining room table. Only better. And you don’t have to do the dishes.

7. Let’s get down to business…

Of course, when you’re flying business class there is a chance you’ll want to, well, do business.

Remember those partitions, and those spacious sets of seats facing each other with a shared table in the middle? It’s perfect for business meetings, too. Retract the walls and get working with your colleagues in real time, not over wifi – although wifi is available too! No need to waste time on the way to an important international meeting. Plus the TV monitors are compatible with USB, HDMI, NFV…you name it. PowerPoint just got more powerful.

8. Entertainment

Speaking of the TV monitors. Qatar Airway’s Oryx One entertainment system has always been pretty cool – but with the QSuite they also launched the brand new version. With over 3,000 titles available, you’re spoilt for choice – and that’s putting it lightly. Just don’t spend the entire flight trawling through the catalogue for something to watch.

Another benefit of the movable monitors and partitions is that you can enjoy your film on a wide screen – no more squinting at measly miniature screens.

The possibilities are endless; even the world’s longest flight might not be long enough to exploit all this…

9. Complimentary amenity kit complete with luxury products

Comfort, check. Food, check. Entertainment, check.

All this is great, but nonetheless, there is something about long flights that will still trigger a yearning for a long shower, despite all the comforts provided.

To counter this, QSuite passengers receive complimentary amenity kits, complete with luxury products from Italian brand Castello Monte Vibiano Vecchio – including moisturizer and perfume, all in a stylish Bric’s mini suitcase. So you can step off the plane fresh as a daisy.

10. It’s a beautiful piece of furniture

When has that ever been said about an airplane seat? When you're stuck in the same spot for a dozen hours, you want it to look good. And with hand-stitched Italian leather and satin rose gold finishing, QSuite has got to be the most aesthetically-pleasing seat in the sky. Plus it’s comfortable!

Intrigued? Find out more about the coolest airplane seat ever

The QSuite is available on selected Qatar Airways routes as per June 2017.

This article was produced by The Local Client Studio and sponsored by Qatar Airways.

TRAVEL

Explore Austria: Mauer, a charming wine-hiking spot on Vienna’s outskirts

Catch the very tail-end of the wine season and autumn foliage in one of the lesser-explored corners of the Austrian capital: Mauer.

Published: 12 November 2021 17:03 CET
Updated: 24 September 2023 08:20 CEST
Explore Austria: Mauer, a charming wine-hiking spot on Vienna’s outskirts
Beautiful views and cosy taverns await you on the edge of Vienna. Photo: Catherine Edwards

Wine-hiking is an autumn must-do in Austria. There’s the official Wine Hiking Day (Weinwandertag) that usually draws in big crowds, but it’s also possible to follow the routes through beautiful scenery and wine taverns on your own.

Mauer in the southwest of Vienna is one of the routes that is mostly frequented by locals.


The footpath takes you through scenic vineyards. Photo: Catherine Edwards

You can reach this part of the 23rd district using Vienna’s public transport, and you have a few options. From the Hietzing station on the U4 line, you can take the tramline 60 or bus 56A. The former will take you either to Mauer’s central square or you can get off earlier at Franz-Asenbauer-Gasse to start the hike. If it’s too early in the day for wine just yet, you could start your day at the small and charming Designo cafe (Geßlgasse 6).

Otherwise, the residential area itself doesn’t have much to see, but keep an eye out as you wander between the taverns later — there are some beautiful buildings.

To start the hike, head west along Franz-Asenbauer Gasse, which will take you up into the vineyards, growing some red wine and Vienna’s specialty Gemischter Satz or ‘field blend’, which as the name suggests is a mixture of different types of grapes.

Photo: Catherine Edwards

The paved road takes a left turn, but the hiking route follows a smaller path further upwards. Here you’ll have magnificent views over the whole of Vienna.

If you stick to the official hiking route (see a map from Weinwandern here) you can keep the whole route under 5 kilometres. But more adventurous types don’t need to feel limited.

You can also follow the Stadtwanderweg 6 route (see a map here) either in full, which will add on a hefty 13 kilometres, or just in part, and venture further into the Mauerwald. If you do this, one spot to aim for is the Schießstätte, a former hunting lodge offering hearty Austrian meals.

EXPLORE AUSTRIA

In any case, you should definitely take a small detour to see the Wotrubakirche, an example of brutalist architecture from the mid-1970s built on a site that was used as a barracks during the Second World War.

Not far from the church is the Pappelteich, a small pond that is not only an important habitat for local flora and fauna, but a popular picnic spot for hikers. Its only water supply is from the rain, and due to climate change the pond has almost dried out in recent years, prompting the city to take action to boost its water supply by adding a permanent pipe.


The church is made up of over 150 concrete blocks. Photo: Catherine Edwards

What you really come to Mauer for, though, are the Heuriger or Viennese wine taverns. 

The most well-known is Edlmoser (Maurer Lange Gasse 123) which has previously been named as the best in Vienna. Note that it’s not open all year so check the website, but in 2021 it should be open between November 5th and 21st, and is also serving the goose that is a popular feature on Viennese menus this time of year.

Tip for translating Heuriger opening times: look for the word ausg’steckt, which is used by those taverns which aren’t open year round. They will also often show that they’re open by attaching a bunch of green twigs to the sign or front door.


Buschenschank Grausenburger. Photo: Catherine Edwards

Also worth visiting are cosy Buschenschank Grausenburger (Maurer Lange Gasse 101a), Heuriger Wiltschko (Wittgensteinstrasse 143 — located near the start of the hiking route, this is a good place to begin your tour) and Heuriger Fuchs-Steinklammer (Jesuitensteig 28).

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