Qatar Airways runs three flights a day between Manchester Airport and Doha, carrying hundreds of passengers onward to destinations across the Far East and beyond. The airline's business class product, the Qsuite, was recently named 'World's Best Business Class' at the Skytrax World Airline Awards in London on September 18.
Thirteenth win and other accolades
This is the thirteenth time Qatar Airways has received the award. The airline was also named Best Airline in the Middle East, World's Best Business Class Lounge, and World's Best Onboard Wi-Fi, while retaining its 5-Star Airline rating. It narrowly missed the title of World's Best Airline, which went to Singapore Airlines.
The Manchester Evening News was given a tour of an Airbus A350-1000 at Manchester Airport before its return flight to Doha. The aircraft has 293 seats, with only Economy and Business cabins – no Premium Economy. First Class is available only on the A380 from London Heathrow.
Inside the Qsuite cabin
The business class cabin has 46 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Each seat is 21.5 inches wide and extends into a 79-inch fully flat bed. The Qsuites offer ample storage, USB charging, and ambient mood lighting. Every business passenger receives a Diptyque amenity kit in a leather washbag containing lip balm, body lotion, face cream, fragrance spray, socks, earplugs, and an eye mask, plus a blanket and two cushions.
The Qsuite's defining feature is a sliding, closing door with a 'Do Not Disturb' indicator for complete privacy. Centre seats can be adjusted to form a double bed, while quads can be converted into a private space for four people, thanks to some rear-facing seats. The cabin features the airline's signature burgundy colour scheme, rose-gold accents, and leather headrests.
Dining and entertainment
Guests choose when to eat, with crew setting tables with white tablecloths and LED tealight candles. The a la carte menu includes starters such as Qatari mezze with pita bread or butter-poached lobster, and mains like slow-cooked beef brisket, chicken biryani, and honey-glazed butternut squash cannelloni. Lighter options include truffle and wild mushroom arancini or Bircher muesli, plus a cheese selection and dessert.
All seats have access to more than 4,000 inflight entertainment options. Qatar Airways won the Skytrax Award for World's Best Onboard Wi-Fi, the first airline to do so, thanks to ultra-fast Starlink Wi-Fi. Passengers can access it free for 45 minutes, or the entire flight for Privilege Club members, with speeds up to 500Mbps.
Economy cabin
The Economy cabin has 247 seats in a 3-3-3 layout, up to 17.7 inches wide with up to 32-inch seat pitch. Adjustable headrests, pillows, and blankets are provided, and amenity kits with eye mask and toothbrush are offered on select overnight flights. Meals include quinoa salad with crumbled feta, tomato basil chicken with herbed potatoes, and toffee and chocolate chip cheesecake.
Qatar Airways ranked third in the World's Best Economy Class at the Skytrax Awards, behind Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific. All three airlines fly from Manchester Airport, allowing passengers to compare them directly.
