Qatar Airways Business Class Airbus A350-900 | Zurich to Doha

Airline: Qatar Airways
Flight Number: QR96
Route: ZRH-DOH
Class: Business Class
Aircraft: Airbus A350-900 XWB
Registration: A7-ALU
Delivered: April 2018
Flight Duration: 5 Hours 45 Minutes
Distance: 2,796 Miles

Blogpost: https://travelingfoody.com/2024/11/15...

Overall Impression:

Qatar Airways (QR) is renowned for offering one of the world’s best Business Class experiences, especially with the introduction of the luxurious QSuite. But what if your flight doesn’t feature the QSuite?

While this particular flight didn’t have the QSuite, QR’s full-flat reverse herringbone seats still deliver comfort, even on a nearly six-hour journey to Doha. Combine these seats with Qatar Airways’ exceptional in-flight service and gourmet meals, and you’re still in for an outstanding flight experience.

What I liked:

The Service – The crew was warm, attentive, and genuinely eager to make our journey memorable. From the pre-departure beverage and refreshing wet towel offered before takeoff to the beautifully plated meals, every detail reflected their commitment to great service. They also responded quickly to any of our requests, adding a personal touch that made the experience feel extra special.

The Catering – Qatar Airways’ catering out of Zurich was excellent, living up to our previous experiences with QR’s dining service. The dine-on-demand option allowed us to select the exact timing of our meal, which made the experience feel even more personalized. Shortly after takeoff, the beverage service began, and we opted to start our meal about two hours later.

The meal service started with a delightful Crab Tostini amuse-bouche—an elegant introduction to the dining experience. For my starter, I chose the Arabic Mezze, accompanied by warm artisan and pita breads. My main course, Chicken Machboos, was packed with flavor and very satisfying. I rounded out the meal with a cheese platter and a glass of port for dessert—a perfect combination.

Throughout the flight, the crew also set up a snack bar in the common area stocked with fresh fruits and packaged snacks, providing a nice touch for guests to enjoy between meals.

Onboard Amenities – Business Class passengers were provided with a Diptyque amenity kit, along with a protective kit that included a mask, latex gloves, and hand sanitizer—an appreciated touch for travel comfort and safety. The lavatories were meticulously cleaned throughout the flight, and they were stocked with additional essentials like facial mist, hand lotion, disposable razors, and toothbrushes, ensuring passengers had everything they needed to freshen up mid-flight.

What I didn't like:

The Primeclass Lounge in Zurich (ZRH) – Qatar Airways uses the Primeclass Lounge at Zurich Airport. The lounge was spacious, with plenty of seating available during our visit, which made it easy to find a comfortable spot. However, the beverage selection was limited, and the hot food options were sparse and not particularly appetizing. On the bright side, there was a decent cappuccino machine, which we appreciated as a nice touch.

It was OK:

The Seats – Qatar Airways is known for offering one of the best Business Class experiences in the sky, particularly with the QSuite. While these reverse herringbone seats don’t have the same level of privacy—lacking the signature sliding door—they’re still a comfortable and spacious option, with an open layout that some passengers may even prefer. Despite not being the latest generation, I found these seats to be very enjoyable. They feature a lie-flat design, a large tray table, a decent in-flight entertainment system, and ample storage space to keep your essentials within reach throughout the flight. Extra credit to Qatar for having personal air nozzles installed on their planes.

Bottom Line:

While this Qatar Airways flight didn’t feature the signature QSuite, the Business Class experience was still exceptional. The comfortable reverse herringbone seats, attentive service, and high-quality catering ensured a pleasant journey. Though the Primeclass Lounge in Zurich had limited food and beverage options, the inflight amenities and dine-on-demand service more than made up for it. For a nearly six-hour flight, Qatar Airways delivered a memorable and enjoyable Business Class experience that highlights why they’re consistently rated among the best in the skies.