Introduction

Qatar Airways is one of the best airlines in terms of quality and luxury.  Most of their planes are new and with beautiful interiors, excellent entertainment units, and comfortable seats.  Recently, I flew their first class product on their A380 plane en route to India from Paris.  Qatar Airways is based out of Doha where all their flights connect to over 150 destinations.

a plane with windows and a blue sky

Qatar Airways A380

Booking

Qatar Airways is  member of the OneWorld alliance which means that Qatar Airways award flights can be booked using OneWorld partners such as British Airways or American Airlines.  To search for award availability, you have to go to BritishAirways.com since American Airlines does not show award availability online for Qatar Airways.  In most cases, the redemption rates for Qatar Airways is less on American Airlines.

If you find award availability for Qatar Airways on BritishAirways.com, you can then proceed to call American Airlines and book the flight over the phone.

If you are looking to book a first class flight on Qatar Airways on their A380 planes, there are not many options.  Coming from Europe, the only options are from Paris or London.  The amount of American Airlines miles required for this flight is currently 62,500 miles.

It is also possible to continue on to India or to another Middle East destination for the same amount of miles.  Well worth it considering it would allow you to check out the First Class Lounge at Doha International Airport while transiting to the next destination.

a screenshot of a flight schedule

British Airways Award Search

Cabin

Compared to other first class seats on other airlines, the seats are not compartmentalized and walled off.  While this takes away from some privacy, it makes the cabin feel more open and airy. This is good for those that can sometimes feel claustrophobic.

a room with tvs and screens on the wall

First Class Cabin with 8 Seats

This is the best looking interior I have seen on an airplane by far.  The plane also seemed to make the most use out of the fancy LED lighting features that the new airplanes seem to have.  The lighting alternates between purple, blue, and then orange for simulated sunset and then sunrise before landing.

a seat in an airplane

Lots of leg room

The first & business class lounge area is by far the best, largest, and most beautiful I have seen on an A380.  The design and color scheme was perfect and I loved the lighting fixtures.  It was pretty much empty whenever I want to the bar so it was like I had it all to myself.

a bar in a plane

Bar Lounge Area

a bar with a shelf of food and drinks

Great selection of alcohol

a fruit bowl on a table

Fruit basket and real roses

a group of glasses of food on a table

Snacks for the taking

a staircase leading up to a room

Stairway down to the first floor

a view of a river from an airplane window

View over the Swiss Alps

Seat

The seat was comfortable with an insane amount of legroom.  I liked the foot rest which also can be used as a seat for your flying companion to sit across from you while meals are served.

a seat in a plane

First Class Window Seat

a pillow on a chair

Reading light is built into the headrest

a close up of a device

Remote LCD screen to control the various seating positions

a cell phone in a box

LCD remote to control entertainment unit

a close up of a screen

Motorized wall for added privacy

a bowl of olives and a drink on a tray

Small table for drinks and snacks

a tv on a wall

This has to be the largest television screen i’ve seen on an plane

a green line on a planet

Flight Map

a pair of headphones on a white surface

Noise Canceling Headphones

The amenity kits were the best I have ever received on a first class flight.  The kit included the a large eye mask and a big bottle of cologne.  Even though this was a night flight that landed at 23:45pm, they did not provide pajamas on this flight.  Bummer since the Qatar Airways pajamas looked really nice.

a bag with cosmetics in it

Female Amenity Kit

a group of black objects on a white surface

Male Amenity Kit

Drinks

There were plenty of high end alcoholic drinks available such as Krug.  Additionally, there were plenty of tasty non-alcoholic mixed drinks available.

a glass of champagne on a table

Krug

a menu on a plane

Wine and Beverage Menu

a book with a picture of a bottle

a book with a picture of a bottle

a book with a picture of a bottle

a menu of a restaurant

Great selection of drinks

 

Food

The food selection was pretty good with an adequate selection.  However, I found to food selection more exciting on Etihad and Emirates First Class.

a bowl of soup and bread on a plate

Appetizer

a plate of food and a glass of wine

Arabic Mezze

a plate of food on a table

Vegetable kebab with saffron rice

a bowl of soup with a spoon

Harira Soup with Lamb

a bowl of food on a table

Chicken Katsu

a close up of a menu

Food Menu

Bathroom

While the Qatar Airways A380 first class cabin does not have a shower on it like Emirates Airlines, it had the most stylish interior of any airline bathroom I’ve seen.  It is also the largest bathroom I have seen on an airline.

a bathroom with a sink and a bench

First Class Bathroom

a drawer with items in it

Bathroom toiletries

a group of bottles on a shelf

Fancy soap and moisturizer

a bathroom with a sink and benches

Plenty of room in this bathroom

a bunch of red roses on a refrigerator

Fresh Flowers

a white flowers on a table

More Flowers

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you have the opportunity to fly on the Qatar Airways A380 first class flight, take it.  Its open spacious cabin, large entertainment screen, and good selection of alcohol make any flight a breeze.  While it doesn’t have showers, the large first class bar area, big bathrooms, and airy cabin makes it seem like you are not even on a plane.

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