Qatar Airways First Class 2025 Review & Complete Guide

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Flying Qatar Airways First Class in 2025 is as close as air travel gets to perfection. From the Al Safwa Lounge in Doha (designed more like an art museum than an airport space) to the wide, private seats onboard the A380, every detail feels intentional. You’re not just handed a menu, you’re dining on demand with world-class wines, curated dishes, and service that’s polished without being stiff.

I’ve flown premium cabins across the globe, but Qatar’s First Class is one of the few that truly feels like a journey, not just transportation. And for me, there’s an extra layer of meaning: my wife actually went to an American high school in Qatar, so every time I fly into Doha it feels personal. In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about Qatar Airways First Class in 2025…what makes it special, and when it’s worth the splurge.

• Read also: My Favorite Airlines Around the World in 2025
• You may also like: Add These Luxurious Airport Lounges to Your Bucket List

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Overview of Qatar Airways First Class

Qatar Airways first class is honestly pretty exclusive – and I mean that in the most literal sense. They only offer it on their A380 superjumbos, which fly to just four destinations from Doha: London Heathrow, Paris CDG, Bangkok, and Sydney. That’s it. I’ve flown this a couple times now, and while it’s not the most private first class out there, the overall experience is pretty solid.

The A380 has just eight first class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, so you get 6.5 feet of legroom and seats that fully recline into beds. Each seat comes with a massive 26-inch screen, which is actually bigger than most people’s TVs at home. The whole cabin feels spacious without being too formal – think upscale hotel lobby rather than stuffy luxury. What really sets it apart isn’t necessarily the seat itself, but access to the Al Safwa First Class Lounge in Doha, which is legitimately one of the best airport lounges in the world.

Qatar Airways’s First Class Benefits

Flying Qatar Airways first class gets you some genuinely useful perks that go beyond just a bigger seat. You get priority everything – check-in, boarding, baggage handling. At Doha, they have a separate first class check-in area where you can actually sit down while they process your stuff, which is way more civilized than standing in line.

The Al Safwa Lounge access is the real winner here. This place has private sleeping rooms (which you can book for up to six hours), an actual spa with treatments, and a full restaurant with à la carte dining. I spent about 8 hours there on a layover once and honestly didn’t want to leave. The amenity kits are Diptyque branded, you get actual pajamas, and the dining is legit restaurant quality with caviar service and premium champagne.

Entertainment-wise, you’re looking at over 4,000 options on that huge screen, plus decent Wi-Fi on most flights. The cabin crew ratio is pretty good with only eight passengers, so service feels more personal. Just don’t expect Emirates-level suite privacy – these seats are more open to the aisle.

Tips for Booking Qatar Airways First Class Tickets

Here’s the thing about booking Qatar Airways first class – it’s expensive as hell if you pay cash. We’re talking $6,000 to $9,000 roundtrip for most routes. I’ve never paid that much and honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it unless money isn’t an object.

The smart way to do this is with miles. British Airways Avios work really well – you can book Doha to London one-way for 64,500 Avios plus about $130 in taxes. American Airlines miles are even better for some routes. I recently saw Doha to the Maldives for just 30,000 AAdvantage miles, which is insane value.

Here’s a little-known trick: if you book a business class flight that connects through Doha and continues to somewhere in the Middle East (like Amman or Muscat), that regional segment gets ticketed as “first class” even though it’s basically business class on a narrow-body plane. But it still gets you into the Al Safwa Lounge, which is honestly worth the detour. You can also buy lounge access for $165 if you’re flying business class, which isn’t cheap but might be worth it for a long layover.

• Read next: Tricks for Cheap First Class Flights

Qatar Airways First Class Fleet: A Detailed Comparison

Qatar Airways’ fleet for First Class is a tale of two distinct experiences: the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 777. Let’s dive into what sets them apart.

Airbus A380

The A380 is where the real first class magic happens. Qatar has eight of these double-deckers, and they’re the only planes in the fleet with proper first class cabins. The first class section is on the upper deck with eight seats in two rows.

If you’re flying solo, grab a window seat like 1A or 2K for maximum privacy. Couples should go for the middle seats (1E/1F or 2E/2F) since you can dine together and actually talk without shouting across the aisle. The onboard bar at the back of the upper deck is pretty cool – it’s a good spot to stretch your legs and grab a drink, though it gets busy during meal service.

The bathrooms on the A380 are legitimately huge, more like a hotel bathroom than airplane toilet. There’s actually space to move around, which is saying something. The whole upper deck feels less cramped than most first class cabins I’ve been in.

Boeing 777

Qatar also operates some ex-Cathay Pacific Boeing 777s with first class, but these only fly between Doha and Hong Kong, plus Doha to the Maldives. It’s a 1-1-1 layout with just six seats, so even more exclusive than the A380.

The seats are similar in terms of comfort – they go fully flat and have decent storage. For couples, you’ll be across the aisle from each other (try 1D/1K or 2D/2K). Solo travelers should grab the window seats for privacy. The cabin feels more intimate than the A380, but you lose the bar and those massive bathrooms.

Honestly, Qatar seems to be focusing more on their Qsuites business class these days, so first class feels like it might be a limited-time thing. If you want to try it, don’t wait too long.

Baggage Allowance with Qatar Airways First Class

First class gets you a pretty generous baggage allowance. You can bring two carry-on bags that together can’t exceed 33 pounds, which is actually really handy for organizing your stuff. I usually do one bag with work stuff and electronics, and another with clothes and personal items.

For checked bags, it depends on where you’re flying. If you’re going to or from the Americas or Africa, you get two bags up to 70 pounds each. For other routes, you can bring as many bags as you want as long as the total weight doesn’t exceed 110 pounds. I’ve never hit these limits, but it’s nice to know you’ve got options if you’re doing some serious shopping.

Just remember that if you’ve got a connection on another airline, their rules might apply instead. Always worth double-checking if you’re not flying Qatar the whole way.

Qatar Airways First Class Airport Experiences

The ground experience at Doha is honestly where Qatar first class really shines. The Al Safwa First Class Lounge is legitimately spectacular – think luxury hotel crossed with an art museum. It’s ranked as the fifth-best first class lounge globally and #1 in the Middle East for 2025.

The lounge is enormous but never feels crowded because access is so restricted. There are private sleeping rooms with actual beds, desks, and full bathrooms with showers. These are first-come, first-served for up to six hours, and I’ve never had trouble getting one. The à la carte restaurant is legit – I’ve had lobster, lamb, and caviar service that rivals proper restaurants.

The spa is a nice touch, though treatments cost extra (starting around $44 for a 10-minute massage). There’s also a jacuzzi, family areas with game rooms, and even a duty-free shop inside the lounge. The whole place has this minimalist luxury vibe with original artwork and a massive water feature.

If you can’t get into Al Safwa, you also have access to the Al Mourjan Business Lounge, but honestly, if you’re flying first class, you should be able to get into the good stuff.

In-Flight Comfort & Amenities on Qatar Airways First Class

The seats themselves are solid – 83-inch pitch and 23-inch width, which is plenty of room to stretch out. They go fully flat for sleeping, though they’re not as private as some other airlines’ suites. You get a big privacy partition, but you’re still pretty visible from the aisle.

That 26-inch screen is legitimately impressive with thousands of entertainment options. The Oryx One system is pretty responsive, and you get noise-canceling headphones that actually work. Wi-Fi is available and usually works well enough for basic browsing and messaging.

The Diptyque amenity kits are a nice touch – proper French skincare stuff, not the usual airline junk. You get pajamas too, which I actually use since the cabin temperature can be all over the place. Storage is decent with a proper closet area, though it’s not huge.

The onboard bar on the A380 is definitely a highlight. It’s a good place to socialize if you’re into that, or just stretch your legs during a long flight. The curved design looks pretty cool, and the bartender actually knows how to make proper cocktails.

Onboard Dining with Qatar Airways First Class

The food is definitely a step up from most airlines, though it’s not blow-your-mind amazing. The caviar service is the signature starter – served on proper crystal with blinis and all the fixings. It sets the tone for the meal, even if caviar isn’t really my thing.

You get on-demand dining, which is clutch for long flights since you can eat whenever you want rather than when the crew decides. The menu mixes Middle Eastern and Western dishes, and the presentation is pretty good. I’ve had solid lamb dishes and decent seafood options.

The bread service is actually really good – they bake it onboard, so it comes out warm and fresh. Desserts are hit or miss, but the cheese selection is usually solid. Overall, it feels like eating at a nice hotel restaurant rather than airplane food, which is saying something at 35,000 feet.

Qatar Airways First Class Beverage Selection

The drink game is strong. You start with Krug 2004 Champagne, which is seriously expensive stuff on the ground. There’s also traditional Arabic coffee with dates, which is a nice cultural touch that feels authentic rather than gimmicky.

The wine list is pretty extensive with mostly vintage bottles from 2017-2022. Spirits selection is solid with top-shelf brands, and the cocktail menu is more creative than most airlines attempt. The mocktail options are actually good too if you’re not drinking.

That onboard bar on the A380 is where the real magic happens though. The bartender can make pretty much anything you want, and it’s a good excuse to get up and move around. Plus, the whole curved bar setup looks pretty cool – definitely Instagram-worthy if you’re into that.

Qatar Airways First Class vs. QSuites: What’s the Difference?

This is honestly a tough call. QSuites in business class are legitimately some of the best business class seats in the world – they have doors for privacy, can convert into double beds for couples, and the service is nearly identical to first class.

First class gets you bigger seats, more personal space, and that exclusive Al Safwa Lounge access. The cabin is more intimate with just eight passengers versus 48 in business. But the actual onboard experience isn’t dramatically different – same food quality, similar entertainment, comparable service levels.

The real differentiator is the ground experience. Al Safwa is significantly more luxurious than the business class lounges, with those private sleeping rooms and spa facilities. If you’re doing a long layover in Doha, first class makes more sense. For the actual flight, QSuites gets you 90% of the experience at a much lower price point.

I’d honestly recommend QSuites for most people unless you specifically want to experience one of the world’s best airport lounges or money isn’t a major consideration.

Comparison with Rival First Class Products

If you’re undecided about which airline has the best first class, here’s a comparison to help you out.

Qatar Airways First Class vs. Emirates First Class

Emirates wins this one pretty convincingly. Their first class suites are fully enclosed with sliding doors, they have onboard showers on the A380, and the bar area is larger and more social. Qatar’s first class feels more like premium business class compared to Emirates’ proper suite experience.

That said, Qatar’s service quality is generally more consistent, and the Al Safwa Lounge is arguably better than Emirates’ lounges. But if you want the full “flying palace” experience, Emirates is the way to go.

Qatar Airways First Class vs. Air France La Première

La Première is in a different league when it comes to ground services – private car transfers, dedicated terminals, the works. The onboard experience is more intimate and refined with better French cuisine. Qatar competes on modern amenities and that spectacular lounge, but Air France wins on overall luxury and exclusivity.

Qatar Airways First Class vs. British Airways First Class

BA first class is more traditional and understated, with a focus on classic British hospitality. Qatar has more modern cabins and better entertainment systems, plus that amazing lounge access. BA’s food is hit or miss, while Qatar is more consistently good. I’d probably give the edge to Qatar unless you specifically prefer the classic British Airways experience.

Qatar Airways First Class vs. Etihad First Class

Etihad’s “First Apartments” on the A380 are massive – separate bed and seat areas, tons of space. Qatar can’t compete on personal space, but the service quality is better and more reliable. Etihad’s product is more impressive on paper, but Qatar executes better day-to-day. Plus, Qatar’s route network is way more extensive if you’re trying to get somewhere specific.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Qatar Airways First Class

Are you still curious about which airline is the best for first class? Here are some popular questions (and answers) I get that will help decide whether Qatar Airways first class is the right option for you.

Is First Class on Qatar worth it?

As one of the best airlines with First Class, Qatar is definitely worth it. Qatar Airways First Class offers an unparalleled level of luxury, comfort, and service. With spacious seating, gourmet dining, and exclusive lounge access, it’s a premium experience that’s worth the investment, especially for those who value comfort and luxury in their travels.

What is better: Emirates or Qatar First Class?

Both are exceptional, but it depends on what you value. Emirates First Class is renowned for its private suites and onboard showers, offering a higher level of privacy and luxury amenities. Qatar Airways excels in service quality and dining experience. If you prioritize privacy and unique features, Emirates might edge out. For service and dining, Qatar is a top choice.

Can you drink alcohol on Qatar Airways?

Yes, alcohol is available on Qatar Airways. They offer a selection of high-end champagnes, wines, beers, and spirits, along with a variety of mocktails for those who prefer non-alcoholic options.

What is the most luxurious airline?

This can be subjective, but airlines like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways are often cited as some of the best airlines in the world. They offer exceptional service, luxurious amenities, and comfortable seating, setting high standards in the airline industry.

Who is eligible for First Class Lounge in Qatar Airways?

Qatar Airways’ First Class passengers and Privilege Club Platinum members have access to the First Class Lounge. This exclusivity ensures a serene and luxurious lounge experience.

Does Qatar Airways have a shower onboard?

No, Qatar Airways does not currently offer shower facilities onboard their aircraft. This feature is unique to a few airlines like Emirates, which provides shower spas on their A380 aircraft in First Class.

• Looking to find QA First Class deals for under $3000 roundtrip? You’ll want to sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights (Going.com). While the free version is great for economy deals, the Elite version is what you’ll need to find cheap business and first class deals.