The business class Qatar Airways doesn't talk about.

Qatar Airways' business class is the best in the world, right? I mean, if you're not getting their QSuite - the "World's Best Business Class" (my upcoming ANA review may throw some shade there!), you'll be in a reverse herringbone solo seat, one of the best in the sky. Some of those even have doors now! But Qatar has a fleet it doesn't talk about. Nowhere on their website can you find pictures of their A330 business class, a forgotten, somewhat embarrassing 2-2-2 configuration this airline just does not want to advertise it has! I had a flight on this recently, so let's check out the world's best airline's...."worst" business class.

0:00 Intro
0:17 Al Mourjan Lounge
2:52 Hamad Airport
4:06 Bus-boarding our A330-200
5:45 Qatar A330-200 business class cabin
6:23 "Secret" business class?
7:47 Pushback, taxi, takeoff
9:20 The seat...is not so bad...?
10:02 Breakfast service
11:16 BED MODE!
11:46 IFE and headphones
12:37 Descent, landing, conclusions

Date of Travel: 9 MARCH 2022
Airline: Qatar Airways
Livery: Qatar Airways standard
Route: DOH-ATH
Aircraft: Airbus A330-200
Flight Number: QR 203
Miles: 1,979
Airborne time: 4h47m

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[dsdonovan]

Yes for more train videos especially the overnight or adventure routes.

[Trektrendy]

Great video mate - got to be honest, I'd still rather QR's A330 J then BA's J aha

[iFlyTheWorld]

Yes, I got an a321 when it was showing a 787 the day before. There were many unhappy business passengers that morning heading to Athens. At least the a330 has a bit more storage and privacy than the a321.

[warwickhowland]

Hi Paul. I transited through Doha earlier this month, travelling from Melbourne to Zagreb. We boarded from gate D20 at Doha too, the worst part of taking the bus is being outside for the first time in about 15 hrs. I left snow at my place and stepped out to 41* to get our next flight. The Qsuite lived up to the hype and I was pleasantly surprised by the business class of the second leg. The mothballed A350s lining the taxi way highlighted the paint issue, I think I counted near to a dozen. Oh, and that bear is just down right creepy.

[Calebs_Aviation]

At 3:31 😱 “Anyone who’s been to Doha Airport knows of The Lamp Bear a supposedly cheerful piece of public art, invoking memories of childhood and discovery… I find it weird and absolutely terrifying!”-Paul ULTA LONG HAUL in Qatar Q-Suites A350-1000 April 2020
Sound familiar Paul??
Also at 5:28 that A330-200 is leased from Oman Air 🇴🇲( Another spectacular airline) because of Qatar’s ongoing A350 issues! The older business class seats are also from Oman Air on these A330’s which explains why the seats aren’t advertised anywhere…
Anyways I loved the rest of the video excellent job as always can’t wait to try Qatar Airways! 🇶🇦

[mountainview]

I did this journey the other way in 2009. From Athens to Doha was an A320 which had these enormous arm chair style seats in a 2-2 up the front. Great food and very comfortable, I would have been happy to sit there all the way to Singapore but we had to change at Doha onto one of those A330 2-2-2s as you've shown in the video; and yes it was a bus to and from the plane LOL.

The A330 leg was actually pretty unpleasant with slack service and indifferent food - I was very happy to transfer over to Singapore Airlines for the last leg to Australia.

[juniorcampbell]

I flew on 777 with the 2-2-2 configuration DOH/MLE. Really did not love it, at all. The odd thing is when I booked they had a Q-Suite 777 on the route then they changed it for both outbound and inbound flights. Thankfully they switched my inbound back to a Q-Suite 777.

[supergran]

Last time we flew Business with Qatar, we had a seperate bus for business. The economy went down first (yes our gate was on second floor, but we went down the stairs or lift) and went into the second bus, and we stayed in the cool terminal till they were all loaded. I think our plane was the furthest from the gate it could possibly be, either than or the driver just wanted to show us the extend of the airport. We had plenty of room to spread out, but the economy folk were crammed in like sardines, and they had to stay on the bus until we loaded.
We had the 1:2:1 config from Adelaide to Doha, and the 2:2:2 config from Doha to Copenhagen. We had slept well on the longer flight, but were a little peeved that we had the older layout, but didn’t need to sleep. Coming home ex Gatwick, we had 1:2:1 both legs.

[superlogistics]

That’s why I don’t fly with QR in their premium classes. Exactly because of their various configurations which means nothing is guaranteed. As a paying traveller, I don’t like sudden swaps.

[dixiesmaster]

Great video, Paul! Yes, more train videos, please. And helicopters, hovercraft, catapult, whatever.

[fakhramaan]

Yes the changes!! I flew Sydney Doha Lahore in January and on the leg to Lahore had newer than this business class with just one seat by the window but not the Q suite. However on way back in March it was Q suite both legs. The cabanas can be a hit and miss, as they are open. I tried to rest but one passenger somewhere was snoring like a freight train and I had to leave after half hour or 40 mins. Unless U are a quick sleeper, it can be useless. Great video Paul, love your commentary and videos.

[rebeccapearce]

I get frustrated by Qatar's last minute plane changes. I got on a flight from Melbourne to Doha (onward to LHR) in late May and it had gone from the Qsuites to a very very old product on their 777 - far older than the one you just flew on. For a 14h flight, it was incredibly disappointing - I didn't pay for a 2-2-2 set up, sitting next to a stranger, I paid for a Q-suite...

Customer services on the ground are useless when you complain. However, the amazing in flight service made up for the change in hard product. I felt super bad for the FAs as so many people complained about the plane change. The perpetual changes, however, make me less likely to continue flying with Qatar which is a shame as when they get it right, the experience is just amazing

[curtbonnell]

Another great video Paul. And yes, more train videos are always welcome.

[sheilacrosby]

My Job is a snooze fest you're getting me through my day you would make a great audio book narrator

[wengelder]

I recently flew this business class . When I booked, their Qatar airways website explicitly stated “QSuites”. Three weeks before departure, we received an email saying that because of operational reasons, a different aircraft would be used, one that would not have QSuites . I complained and asked for partial compensation ( voucher ). They refused .
To a certain extend I can understand . But what was totally unacceptable was that Qatar airways kept on selling that flights as one with QSuites . That’s, to say the least, dishonest, if not fraudulent .
When boarding some passengers who specifically choose to QSuites were pretty furious when they found it was this old product .
Apparently they never got the email. The cabin crew explained that it was a last minute aircraft change, which was a blatant lie, as they knew three weeks in advance .
Frustrating was also that on my Athens to Doha flight, they had run out rosé champagne before we left the gate ( I am not kidding ) and one of the white wines after one hour .
It was a sharp contrast with the final leg, which was QSuites, and was impressive … from service, to seat design and the food was phenomenal.
But the whole experience shows that QA is dishonest . Selling seats you know will not be available is not done .

[carolinelane]

Hey Paul. Loved the video. Curious with all the flying your doing, how are you finding flight changes? Cancellations? We are flying from Australia to Athens. And a few Europe flights in 6 weeks. Had 2 cancelled flights. Painful as meant changing accomodation in both locations. One carrier which shall remain nameless has change our flight time 6 times in 2 months. Then I'm reading about all the lost luggage. All makes me a bit nervous to be honest. Should have waited. Our crucial flight is the Perth to Singers leg and it's not filling me with confidence. But shall wait and see. Thanks Caz

[colinwalker]

Once again a great video Paul, cheers. We were lucky enough to fly Qatar from Oslo to Doha in May and had an equipment swap the night before but it was to a 777 with Qsuites from a 787 mini Q suite. It was superb, on the way back we sampled the 787 which was not as good...but still great!

[jerryw]

It's odd isn't it? Priority boarding means first on the bus, and first on the bus means last off the bus!

[stogieguy]

Yes for more train videos! That said, I truly enjoy your flight vids as well.

[davidbalcon]

Notorious D and E gates…hate this part of the terminal…had to board from here too often, including last month! And also got a last minute switch to 2-2-2 777 from QSuite.