I had a lot of points so I only paid $150 for the business-class experience on Qatar Airways.
David Morris
I spent 40+ hours flying business class to Qatar, Kenya, and Tanzania on Qatar Airways.
The culinary options, luxury amenities, and service from the staff were top-notch.
This was the best business-class experience I've ever had.
I've been fortunate to experience business- and first-class seats when traveling, but since tickets can go for well over $10,000, I try to utilize frequent-flyer points to book them.
When we planned my mother's birthday trip to Africa, we were excited to find award space — plane tickets you can redeem for points or miles — to Nairobi, Kenya, and back from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Qatar Airways using the American Airline AAdvantage Loyalty Program.
Qatar Airways has won the World Airline Award's title of world's best business class multiple times (most recently in 2023), so this was an offer I couldn't pass up.
In total, my mom and I parted with 150,000 miles and paid $300 for our flights. Our friends opted for tickets without redeeming miles and paid $8,600 a person.
Qatar Airways had a long line to check in, but there was no wait for business-class passengers.
We were able to skip the long line at the counter.
David Morris
After dinner in Dallas, Texas, my brother dropped us off at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Although there were well over 100 people in line to check in, Qatar Airways had a dedicated line for business-class customers.
The agent verified our documents, confirmed that our bags were received from our earlier flight, and issued boarding passes before directing us to the lounge.
Qatar Airways' business-class customers have access to American Airlines' Flagship Lounge.
The lounge offered a buffet.
David Morris
Upon entering the lounge, we were greeted with a glass of champagne. We immediately settled into chairs with our friends who'd just arrived. The lounge was comfortable and had a self-serve bar and a buffet.
The boarding gate was busy, but not for business-class passengers.
We boarded quickly through a business-class passenger line.
David Morris
Agents were calling for business-class customers, so we boarded quickly and avoided the long line.
We soon settled into our Qsuites, Qatar Airways' elevated business-class seats.
I had a lot of points so I only paid $150 for the business-class experience on Qatar Airways.
My mom and I selected two forward-facing seats for more separation, and our friends chose seats that converted into a double bed.
I was impressed with the spaciousness of the suite and loved the privacy doors — there was even a do-not-disturb button.
We received some complementary amenities.
The amenities were luxurious.
David Morris
Most airlines reserve pajamas for first-class customers, but Qatar Airways offers them to those in long-haul business class.
I changed into a pair from The White Company — its pajamas retail for over $100 — in the oversized business-class bathroom filled with products from the French luxury brand, Diptyque.
We were also offered an amenity kit filled with self-care samples and a chilled towel.
After takeoff, I had a glass of champagne and a cheese plate.
The cheese plate offered a variety of options.
David Morris
Although I was tired, I indulged in a glass of 2007 Laurent-Perrier Grande Cuvee Alexandra rosé — which is priced at over $150 a bottle — and a cheese plate.
The flight attendant also insisted I try a glass of De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon, an Australian dessert wine.
I slept for a full eight hours.
I was able to sleep for a full eight hours in the double bed.
David Morris
The flight attendants completed our pod set up by topping our beds with a linen-covered mattress. I fell asleep immediately.
When I woke up, I ordered lunch.
I started my lunch with corn chowder.
David Morris
I woke up and reset my watch to Nairobi, Kenya, time before ordering lunch.
Qatar Airways offers a dine-on-demand policy, so you can order anything from the menu at any time. I was offered a small amuse-bouche bowl of corn chowder to start. I selected the tandoori prawns with a kachumber salad as the appetizer and the chicken biryani for my main.
Everything was flavorful and something I'd be happy to have in an actual restaurant.
The flight attendant insisted I also try a dessert.
The key-lime cheesecake was delicious.
David Morris
Although I was full, the flight attendant insisted I should try a bite of dessert. I tried a delicious key-lime cheesecake and a cardamom-chai tea.
I had dinner before landing.
I chose the cheeseburger and sweet-potato fries for dinner.
David Morris
Given how long this flight was, I ordered a cheeseburger with sweet-potato fries for dinner. I paired this with a bloody mary and a glass of Bordeaux.
I also got tea service, which came complete with scones, sandwiches, and pastries.
We had a five-hour layover in Doha, Qatar.
The Urs Fischer teddy bear was one of the art installations being displayed.
David Morris
The Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, was stunning. I saw great shopping, dining, and art installations. The most iconic art piece on display was the massive 20-ton teddy bear by Urs Fischer.
We headed to Al Mourjan Garden, Qatar Airways' new business-class lounge.
The business-class lounge was beautiful and even had a Dior spa.
David Morris
Business-class customers here can choose between two lounges, so we selected the recently opened Al Mourjan Garden Lounge.
This space is nearly 80,000 square feet and has 24 quiet rooms, a not-yet-opened Dior spa, shower suites, and plenty of seating overlooking the airport's beautiful architecture.
There were numerous food options in the lounge, too.
I decided to buy some sushi in the lounge.
David Morris
The lounge had a buffet, a deli, and a well-stocked bar. There was even a sushi bar, where I ordered a couple of rolls that tasted fresh.
Soon it was time for the next leg of our journey, a flight to Tanzania.
This flight didn't have Qsuites, but the seats were still comfortable.
David Morris
This flight offered lie-flat seats — seats that recline at an angle rather than a full 180 degrees — instead of Qsuites.
I went straight to bed but had a light breakfast before arrival.
I woke up and had a top-notch breakfast.
David Morris
I skipped dinner since the flight departed at 2:00 a.m., and managed to get five hours of sleep. I woke up 45 minutes before we landed, and was served an express breakfast with an almond-praline clafoutis, a croissant, and a saffron-chai tea.
We landed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, checked in, and were invited to use the Twiga Business Lounge.
We visited the Twiga Business Lounge.
David Morris
A representative from the lounge met us at check-in and escorted us past the security lines, through immigration, and into the lounge.
A waiter asked if we would like anything from their limited menu, including curried french fries and samosas.
We headed to the gate and were surprised to see an Oman Air plane.
I wasn't expecting to see an Oman Air aircraft.
David Morris
We were a bit confused when we got to the gate to find an aircraft from Oman Air at the gate.
The gate agent explained that Qatar Airways leases these planes to increase their operational efficiency, but are still serviced by Qatar Airways.
The Oman Air plane felt new and fresh.
The aircraft felt refreshing but was a tad smaller than the last one.
David Morris
Although I enjoyed the wider footwell, the seats felt a bit narrower than the other flights we'd been on.
We had a four-course, wine-paired lunch.
I enjoyed a four-course meal on the flight.
David Morris
The service on this flight was excellent. I selected the pumpkin soup with a salad of poached red lobster and red snapper. I had coconut curry with sesame-basmati rice for dinner, followed by a vanilla panna cotta and passion fruit for dessert.
After landing, we stayed in a hotel room for our layover and headed back to the airport in the morning.
We booked a beautiful hotel room during our layover.
David Morris
Qatar Airways offers a super-luxe immigration channel for business-class customers, so customs was a breeze.
We had a long layover in Doha, Qatar, so we booked a room at the Mandarin Oriental, Doha, and headed back to the airport in the morning.
Similar to our arrival experience in Qatar, there was an exclusive departure channel for premium passengers.
Overall, this was the best business-class experience I've ever had.
I had a lot of points so I only paid $150 for the business-class experience on Qatar Airways.
David Morris
Our return flight to Dallas was consistent with our outbound journey. Over the course of about 15 hours, I was treated with good food and got restful sleep. I also paid $10 for an internet pass to catch up on work.
Although there was no caviar and the footwells were a tad smaller than first class, the services and overall experience were top-notch. This was definitely the best business-class experience I've ever had.