The Business Class That Makes First Class Jealous for Qat…

Business Class That Rivals First

Qatar Airways’ Qsuite isn’t technically first class – it’s business class. But with closing doors, double beds, and 4K screens, it offers first class privacy at business class prices. And the 2.0 version launching in 2026 is even better.

Qatar’s Qsuite has gotten complicated with all the hype flying around. As someone who’s actually flown it, I learned everything there is to know about whether it lives up to the reputation. Today, I will share it all with you.

Here’s the thing — you don’t always need to shell out for first class to get first class features. I’ve spent years bouncing between premium cabins on different carriers, and Qatar’s Qsuite is the product that made me stop and rethink what “business class” even means anymore.

When they rolled out Qsuite back in 2017, it genuinely shook up the industry. Features that were strictly first class territory? Qatar just dropped them into business. And now with Qsuite 2.0 on the way, they’re pushing even harder. Let me walk you through all of it.

What Makes Qsuite Different

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Most business class products out there are what I’d call “open plan” — your seat faces the aisle, there’s a thin partition if you’re lucky, and your neighbor can basically see what you’re watching on your screen. Qsuite threw all of that out the window. It was the first business class to genuinely give you a private space, and here’s what came with it:

That last one — direct aisle access for everyone — sounds minor until you’ve been the window passenger in a 2-2-2 layout and had to awkwardly climb over a sleeping stranger at 3am. Never again. The 1-2-1 layout means you just stand up and go. It’s the kind of detail that doesn’t make the marketing brochures but matters enormously when you’re actually on the plane.

Qsuite 2.0: What’s Coming Next

Qatar unveiled the next-generation Qsuite at Farnborough Airshow in 2024, and it’s slated to start flying in 2026. I got a look at the mock-up and, honestly, they’ve addressed pretty much every gripe anyone ever had with the original. Here’s how the two versions stack up:

The OLED screens are gorgeous — if you’ve ever used an OLED phone or TV, you know how much richer the blacks and colors are compared to a standard LCD. And the digitally controlled dividers are a nice touch. No more fiddling with a physical partition while trying not to accidentally invade your neighbor’s space.

The wellness lighting is interesting too. They’re using circadian-tuned lighting to help your body adjust to the time zone you’re flying into. Does it actually work? I’m skeptical, but I’ll admit I slept noticeably better on flights with similar systems on other carriers.

The Double Bed Configuration

Alright, let’s talk about the feature everyone asks me about: the double bed. If you’re traveling with a partner, this is genuinely a game-changer. Here’s how you make it happen:

1. Book seats like 4E and 4F (a center pair)
2. Ask the crew to lower the divider between you
3. Both seats convert to lie-flat beds
4. Combined, they form a double bed that’s actually wide enough for two adults

I’ve done this on a Doha to New York run, and it’s not a gimmick. You genuinely can sleep side by side. Is it as spacious as your bed at home? No, obviously not. But compared to sleeping solo on a narrow business class bed while your partner is four rows away? Night and day difference.

That’s what makes Qsuite’s double bed endearing to us frequent flyers — it’s one of those rare features that actually solves a real problem couples have when flying long-haul.

The big upgrade with Qsuite 2.0 is that companion suites will now have window views. With the original, you had to pick: do you want the double bed (center seats only) or do you want a window? With 2.0, you don’t have to choose. That’s a meaningful improvement for anyone who likes falling asleep watching clouds at 40,000 feet.

Qsuite vs. First Class — Is It Really Comparable?

This is the question I get more than any other. Can a business class product really compete with proper first class? Let’s put some numbers on it:

Look at that price gap. You’re paying three to four times more for Emirates First than you would for Qsuite on a comparable route. And yes, Emirates gives you a shower on the A380 — which is genuinely incredible, I won’t lie. But is a five-minute shower worth an extra $10,000-$17,000? For most of us, the answer is a pretty emphatic no.

Where Emirates (and other first class products) clearly win is in the exclusivity and the “wow factor.” Separate check-in terminals, private transfers, onboard bars and lounges. Qsuite can’t match that. But in terms of the actual hard product — your seat, your bed, your privacy — Qsuite holds its own against just about anything flying today.

Where to Fly Qsuite

Qatar runs Qsuite on the vast majority of their long-haul routes out of Doha. Here are the big ones:

• United States: JFK, LAX, ORD, IAH, DFW, MIA, BOS, SFO, SEA, ATL, PHL
• Europe: London, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Rome, Madrid
• Asia: Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok, Sydney

One thing to watch out for: not every Qatar flight on these routes will have Qsuite. They sometimes swap aircraft at the last minute, and you could end up on an older plane without it. My advice? Check the specific aircraft type when you book, and keep an eye on any equipment changes in the weeks before your flight. Sites like SeatGuru and ExpertFlyer are your friends here.

Booking with Points

Here’s where it gets really fun. Qsuite is one of the best award redemptions in the game right now. If you’ve got miles sitting around, this is arguably the best way to spend them:

Alaska Mileage Plan is the sweet spot if you can find availability. 42,500 miles for Qsuite? That’s absurd value. The catch is that award seats on Qatar through Alaska can be tough to find — you’ll want to search 330+ days out and be flexible with dates. American AAdvantage at 70,000 miles is more realistic for most people, and availability tends to be better.

Pro tip: Qatar sometimes releases last-minute award space a week or two before departure. If your schedule is flexible, it’s worth checking repeatedly in the final days.

The Verdict

After flying Qsuite multiple times, here’s my honest take: it’s the best value in premium air travel right now, full stop. You’re getting first class privacy features — closing doors, double beds, personal suites — at business class prices. That value proposition is hard to argue with.

For couples especially, the double bed option makes Qsuite arguably better than most first class products out there. Think about it — how many first class cabins offer you a double bed? Almost none. They’ll give you a fancier amenity kit and a glass of Dom, but you’re still sleeping alone in a pod.

Is it perfect? No. The food, while good, doesn’t quite reach the heights of Singapore’s Book the Cook program. The lounge in Doha is excellent but can get crowded during peak connecting times. And the lack of a shower means Emirates still has bragging rights in that department.

But when I weigh everything up — the privacy, the bed, the screen, the service, the price — Qsuite wins. It’s not close.