This Airline’s ‘Honeymoon Suite’ Is the Final Enterprise Class Seat for a Couple’s Journey—Right here’s Why

Solely as soon as in my life have I been mistaken for a celeb at an airport—and of all locations, it was at Los Angeles’ LAX, the place baggage handlers have IMDb pages and roughly 98% of the folks passing by are prone to be extra well-known than me.

It wasn’t my outfit or my perspective … it really wasn’t about me in any respect. It was the Qatar Airways service agent escorting me with function previous the crowds that made different vacationers gawk and audibly surprise, “Who’s she?” as I used to be whisked by them.

My husband and I had been about to embark on a two-day journey to the Maldives (together with a 16-hour flight to Doha, a one-night stopover, and a five-hour second leg), however immediately, that didn’t really feel lengthy sufficient. We had been enthusiastic about overwater villas and colourful coral reefs, however we had been nearly equally as pumped to cuddle up in a double mattress within the sky for a film marathon interrupted solely by on-demand eating and a premium wine listing.

We knew very effectively what we had been in for once we booked what was a dream journey for each of us. We didn’t write our personal marriage ceremony vows, but when we had, we’d have promised that at any time when routes allowed, any massive, necessary journey we took collectively could be reserved for a Q-Suite.

Right here’s a breakdown of every part you need to know earlier than reserving enterprise class on Qatar Airways—and why it’s the last word selection for a honeymoon or any milestone journey for {couples}.

Checking In

The doting service agent at LAX was only a glimpse of what was to return. Contained in the Tom Bradley Worldwide Terminal, Qatar enterprise class passengers have entry to the oneworld enterprise class lounge, the place we had been dropped off for a pre-flight snack and cocktails after check-in and expedited safety. Whereas it was a nice strategy to kick off our travels, that was nothing in comparison with the check-in expertise at Hamad Worldwide Airport (DOH), Qatar Airways’ principal working base, upon our return.

DOH is constantly named top-of-the-line airports on the planet, with a tropical backyard, luxurious lounges, designer retailers, and eating choices so far as the attention can see. Qatar’s Al Maha meet and help service sends an agent to greet visitors and escort them to the lounge whereas the immigration service is expedited. Then, they’re guided on to the gate for precedence boarding.

The Lounge

There are two Al Mourjan Enterprise Lounges at DOH, however we all the time select the newer Al Mourjan Enterprise Lounge – The Backyard within the North Terminal, which is nearly 80,000 sq. toes and has probably the perfect view in the complete airport, overlooking the indoor gardens often known as The Orchard, with its tropical vegetation and serene water options. There’s a la carte eating together with cold and hot buffets, however we frequently go for two bar seats close to the sushi, the place you possibly can combine and match your rolls and nigiri of selection. There’s additionally a spa with seven therapy rooms and a health heart. Whereas there, you can too entry the world’s first Louis Vuitton Lounge, with its monogrammed furnishings and baggage, stylish design, and French menu by famend Parisian chef Yannick Alléno. Globally, his eating places have a mixed 16 Michelin stars. Meals and drinks within the Louis Vuitton Lounge come at an additional value.

The Aircraft

We flew on the additional wide-bodied Airbus A350-1000, a technologically superior plane Qatar makes use of on lots of its long-haul routes. Whereas these planes are identified for being spacious, from overhead bins to seats, additionally they have LED ambient lighting to create a serene environment, complemented by interiors outfitted within the model’s signature burgundy and grey with rose-gold accents. Passengers can be ok with the superior HEPA air filtration and will know that this mannequin emits decrease carbon dioxide than its predecessors.

The Seat

When you’re touring with Qatar as a pair, right here is one important tip: To safe a double mattress configuration, choose the center pair of seats (E and F) in an odd-numbered row. You have to be on the identical reserving to do that by the app or on-line. In any other case, you’ll have to name. When you’ve secured your “honeymoon suite,” you’ll have the ability to exchange the divider with a cushion, and each seats will lie flat as one double mattress, which your flight attendant will make up for you with mattress pads, plush bedding, and travel-themed pillows. Whereas ours was being made, we became our complimentary Formulation 1-themed pajamas (Qatar Airways is the official airline associate of F1), after which slid our privateness doorways shut and slept nearly too effectively—we really regretted not staying awake for extra of the in-flight expertise.

The Facilities

Though we loved the uncommon time offline, Qatar not too long ago grew to become the most important international airline to supply complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi on board its Boeing 777 plane, and it’s including the service to its A350s beginning this summer season. At as much as 500 megabits per second, the connection is reported to even be sturdy sufficient for gaming. Amenity kits function hydrating Diptyque merchandise, and along with the aforementioned pajamas and premium bedding, slippers are supplied from London’s The White Firm.

The Meals

Arabic espresso flavored with cardamom is poured from a conventional Sights espresso pot and served with dates as a welcome deal with to start the flight. Qatar Airways is thought for its on-demand eating, and anytime snacks on the menu, together with lobster rolls and afternoon tea. We shared the steak and lobster mains for a surf-and-turf dinner within the sky to recollect, paired with a few of our favourite New Zealand wines. Meals are served on advantageous China, and tables are set with flickering LED candles to set the temper. On choose flights from Doha, even caviar service is obtainable.

The Leisure

Oryx One leisure consists of sports activities, worldwide movies, TV, music, and video games. We have a tendency to make use of our Q-Suite time to make amends for a strong lineup of rom-coms, and this flight was no completely different. Nonetheless, my favourite Qatar Airways leisure expertise to this point was the time we flew on Thanksgiving and had been in a position to flip our flight right into a Hallmark Christmas film marathon. (My husband might need a distinct opinion.) No matter what you select to look at, the suite expertise appears like an elevated film evening at dwelling, making the hours fly by. And should you’re a little bit of an #avgeek, you may benefit from the A350’s tail and stomach cameras, which offer you exterior views at a number of angles.

The Service

From the Al Maha meet and help service to the flight crew on board, Qatar Airways’ service was a spotlight. Each staff member we encountered was attentive and devoted to creating the flight a memorable expertise.

The Stopover

Final time we flew Qatar Airways, we spent our layover time within the airport, which mainly appears like a visit in itself. This time, nonetheless, we needed to get out and see Doha, Qatar’s quickly evolving capital metropolis. The airline is encouraging this with its stopover program, which features a evening at a five-star resort from simply $24. We stayed at Banyan Tree Doha at La Cigale Mushaireb, which is steps from luxurious procuring and has an indoor and out of doors pool, and added a tour with Uncover Qatar, which took us by the perfect of town, from the Nationwide Museum of Qatar and the Corniche waterfront promenade, to the leisure district’s Katara Cultural Village and the normal spice stalls of Souq Waqif.

The Routes

Qatar flies to greater than 170 locations all over the world, and has expanded its presence within the U.S. Now, vacationers can discover Qatar Airways flights from Boston, New York Metropolis, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

The Verdict

There are many airways with premium enterprise class choices, however there are solely a choose few that make you want a 16-hour flight would go by extra slowly. Qatar Airways was voted No. 2 on the planet by T+L readers on this yr’s World’s Greatest Awards, however particularly for {couples} on special day journeys, for me, it’s No. 1. The beginning value for enterprise class from LAX to DOH is $11,495. Since Qatar Airways is a part of Oneworld, my tip to U.S. fliers could be to avoid wasting your American Airways AAdvantage miles for the kind of expertise our home airways simply do not provide. Bookings could be made at qatarairways.com.