I spent 15 hours in Qatar Airways’ enterprise class. Elements of the journey felt like a bus journey, but it surely was fairly distinctive.

• I flew 15 hours in Qatar Airways enterprise class on two totally different flights.

• I booked Qsuites, however a airplane change meant I used to be switched to plain enterprise class.

• Among the meals was simply OK, however the lie-flat seats and facilities exceeded our expectations.

I just lately spent 15 hours flying in Qatar Airways business class from South Africa to Tunisia.

When reserving, I paid 35,000 American Airways miles and $84 in charges a seat in Qsuites, Qatar Airways’s luxurious lay-flat business-class seats with sliding doorways for privateness.

I’ve seen these flights go for about $2,700 one-way, although Qatar Airways enterprise class can typically price considerably extra (over $10,000).

Sadly, just a few days earlier than my flight I acquired an e-mail notifying me that my plane had changed to 1 with a distinct configuration and I might be in commonplace enterprise class as an alternative of Qsuites.

I used to be dissatisfied to not be in Qsuites, however I knew once I booked {that a} seat in it was not assured. This is what my flight was like.

The check-in and boarding course of was lackluster.

Enterprise class was known as for boarding early on, however we had been then held within the steamy jetway for 20 minutes till the airplane was really prepared.

As soon as I used to be lastly on board, I used to be stunned to search out that a lot of the seats had been already occupied by reclining passengers.

A flight attendant defined to me that this airplane route is a triangle between Doha, Durban, and Maputo. So, the passengers touring from Doha to Maputo had been already sitting on the airplane in Durban whereas we boarded.

In flip, we sat on the airplane in Maputo as different passengers exited. This made my flight really feel a bit like a bus route and fewer of a luxurious expertise.

The seats felt personal and comfy with a formidable customizable design.

The 1-2-1 herringbone seat configuration angled seats away from the aisle, permitting for an elevated sense of privateness.

The broad seat created a spacious atmosphere, and plenty of elements of it — together with the peak of the armrests — had been totally adjustable.

There have been additionally a number of storage choices for carry-on gadgets.

I used to be welcomed with a drink and a refreshing towel however needed to request an amenity equipment and headphones.

After I arrived, a blanket and two pillows had been at my seat.

After a number of minutes, the flight attendant greeted me with a refreshing towel and a welcome drink. As a result of the flight from Durban to Maputo was solely an hour, solely snacks and restricted beverage service had been supplied.

I needed to request headphones and the Diptyque amenity equipment. The equipment was good and I used to be excited to take the luxury-feeling lotion, lip balm, and fragrance residence to proceed to make use of on land.

The layover scenario continued to throw me off, however I embraced it.

As soon as in Maputo, most passengers disembarked. Solely the handful of people that boarded in Durban stayed on board because the airplane was cleaned and ready for the subsequent phase.

At this level, I used to be introduced with pajamas and slippers, plus the foods and drinks menus.

Layovers the place passengers stay on board are uncommon, and this hour on the bottom supplied an awesome alternative for me to snap some images.

I additionally took this time to take a look at the toilet, which felt extra lavish than typical amenities. It was roomy and even featured a window. It additionally had Diptyque merchandise: lotion, mouthwash, and rehydrating facial spray.

Fortunately, the leg from Maputo to Doha was longer, so I had an opportunity to wine, dine, and sleep en path to Qatar.

My eating setup appeared nice however the meals fell beneath my expectations.

Meals had been served on demand, and once I was prepared, a white tablecloth was smoothed out over my pull-out desk.

The attendant set it with mini salt and pepper grinders and a battery-operated tea mild, which made my in-flight meal really feel like a romantic dinner for one.

I used to be impressed by the beverage menu, which featured a number of effective wine, liquor, and non-alcoholic choices, together with the Champagne cocktail — one in every of my favorites.

Sadly, the meat short-rib dish I received was simply OK. I loved my cheese plate, although, which paired nicely with my aged tawny port.

After dinner, I relaxed in my lie-flat seat and watched motion pictures.

The leisure choices on my flight had been nice. Every seat had a big display with a choice of Hollywood, Bollywood, and Arabic motion pictures.

The headphones I received had been high-quality with a noise-canceling characteristic.

To make my setup even cozier, I dimmed my window shade with the contact of a button. I appreciated having the ability to see exterior with out being bothered by the daylight.

I landed in Doha simply earlier than midnight for a nine-hour layover.

My ticket supplied complimentary entry to the Al Mourjan Business Lounge.

My amenity equipment and pajamas from the airplane had been helpful in the course of the layover, and I loved exploring the lounge.

Finally, we headed again to the gate to board our airplane for the subsequent a part of our journey, which was six hours to Tunis, Tunisia.

My subsequent flight was operated by means of Oman Air.

Qatar Airways and Oman Air have a partnership, so although the outside of my airplane was totally different, the flight felt fairly related.

This flight was operated by Oman Air, however I had entry to the identical leisure system and plush purple blankets as earlier than.

This time, although, I used to be in Oman’s Apex Suites. These business-class seats are organized in a 2-2-2 configuration.

Oman’s Apex Suites exceeded my expectations however weren’t as ergonomic as the primary flight.

The comfortable chairs reclined flat, however my seat wasn’t as snug because the one on the earlier flight. The armrests had been barely slender, so the realm felt a little bit cramped.

There is a small divider between the 2 seats, which I lowered as a result of I used to be subsequent to my husband. But when I used to be subsequent to a stranger, I do not assume having the low display raised would supply sufficient privateness.

I believed the meals was higher on this leg of the journey.

I most well-liked the meals on this leg of the flight. My beef tenderloin was completely ready and served on a white tablecloth just like what I might seen earlier than.

We additionally acquired sweets proper earlier than we landed. It was a pleasant contact.

The flight was value each mile.

Although I did not get to fly in Qsuites, I used to be pleased to journey in elevated consolation.

In any case, Qsuites aren’t assured, and I had a fairly luxurious journey whatever the airplane configuration. My flights had been nice, and each crews had been extraordinarily well mannered and attentive.

Though just a few small components of my journey let me down, I’d undoubtedly hunt down Qatar Airways for future flights.

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