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Phew! Qatar Airways has extended all-Qsuite aircraft allocation on its Singapore – Doha route through to at least the end of March 2024.
Back in April this year we reported on the happy news that Qatar Airways had reinstated all-Qsuite operation in Business Class on its three daily flights to and from Singapore Changi Airport, after the carrier settled its spat with aircraft manufacturer Airbus over peeling paint on some of its A350s.
That resolution has allowed the airline to progressively reintroduce a number of stored Airbus A350s into its operational fleet over the last few months, including 12 with the Qsuite fitted, while deliveries of five brand new A350s with the Qsuite have also taken place in the last few weeks.
In turn, that has meant the carrier has been able to reinstate the ‘Qsuite promise’ on Singapore flights, something we hadn’t seen since 2021.
Unfortunately the airline has been listing its non-Qsuite equipped Airbus A350-900s on all three daily Singapore services for the upcoming northern winter season, which starts on 29th October 2023, but as we expected there’s good news there.
Singapore retains 100% Qsuite operation
As we mentioned at the time, Qatar’s suggestion that it would suddenly drop the Qsuite from the Singapore route on 29th October 2023 wasn’t really a cause for concern.
The airline finalises its aircraft type allocation for the forthcoming season quite late, so if August 2023 went by and the Qsuites still weren’t showing on these flights – only then was it time to start getting worried!
Alas that has not happened, and as we expected the carrier’s August network update, around two months prior to the upcoming season (as usual) indeed shows that the Qsuite will be flying on all three daily services linking Singapore with Doha from 29th October 2023 to at least 30th March 2024.
This covers 462 flights in each direction on this route, which many of our readers book or redeem for trips extending to Europe or the USA through the airline’s Doha hub.
That means, subject to operational changes, you can be assured of the Qsuite on the Singapore – Doha – Singapore part of your journey for at least the next seven months, which is great news if you have a booking or are eyeing a redemption seat.
If you’re already booked on a Qatar flight to or from Singapore for this winter season already – be sure to log on to your booking and check your seat assignment. You should now see the Qsuite seat map displayed.
Qatar is sticking to its ‘Qsuite promise’
As we reported in June this year, Qatar Airways had been making operational substitutions for Qsuite flights very infrequently during the first 10 weeks of ‘all-Qsuite’ operation on the Singapore route.
That’s despite operating over 100 of the 222 flights we analysed with the Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which technically should have a Qsuite ‘strike rate’ of 29%.
This comes about because Qatar Airways has a deliberate policy of using Qsuite-equipped A350-900s on its Singapore flights – no surprise when flying to and from the home base of a large competitor – Singapore Airlines – who continue to shun the privacy of closed-door suites as a Business Class option for now.
Qatar Airways prioritises its Qsuite product on the Singapore route, and it’s not hard to see why. (Photos: Qatar Airways / TPG)
We’ve expanded that earlier analysis of your Qsuite chances on the Singapore route through to the current date, and we’re happy to report it’s the same positive story to share.
On the Singapore – Doha – Singapore route, only 5 flights out of 393 departing Changi between 11th April and 19th August 2023, or around 1%, have operated with the older Collins Diamond seats.
That’s a 99% Qsuite success rate over the last 18 weeks.
The 5 flights with the airline’s older Business Class product during this period were likely unavoidable operational changes, which can happen to any airline, necessitating an aircraft swap usually to retain schedule integrity.
Here’s how actual day-by-day deployment of Business Class seat types on Qatar’s Singapore – Doha route has looked during this 131-day period.
Qatar Airways Business Class seats
Singapore – Doha
11 Apr – 19 Aug 2023
Date | QR945 02:40 |
QR943 10:45 |
QR947 21:00 |
|||
A/c | Seat | A/c | Seat | A/c | Seat | |
11 Apr | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
12 Apr | 359 | Qsuite | 77L | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
13 Apr | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
14 Apr | 359 | Qsuite | 77L | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
15 Apr | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
16 Apr | 359 | Qsuite | 77L | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
17 Apr | 359 | Qsuite | 77W | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
18 Apr | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
19 Apr | 351 | Qsuite | 77L | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
20 Apr | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
21 Apr | 351 | Qsuite | 77W | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
22 Apr | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
23 Apr | 359 | Qsuite | 77L | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
24 Apr | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
25 Apr | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
26 Apr | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
27 Apr | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
28 Apr | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
29 Apr | 351 | Qsuite | 77L | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
30 Apr | 359 | Qsuite | 77L | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
1 May | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Diamond | 359 | Qsuite |
2 May | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
3 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
4 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
5 May | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
6 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
7 May | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
8 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
9 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
10 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
11 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
12 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
13 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
14 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
15 May | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
16 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
17 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
18 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
19 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
20 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
21 May | 359 | Diamond | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
22 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
23 May | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
24 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
25 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Diamond | 351 | Qsuite |
26 May | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
27 May | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
28 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
29 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
30 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
31 May | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
1 Jun | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
2 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
3 Jun | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
4 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
5 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
6 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
7 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
8 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
9 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
10 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
11 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
12 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
13 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
14 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
15 Jun | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
16 Jun | 77W | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
17 Jun | 77W | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
18 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
19 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
20 Jun | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
21 Jun | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
22 Jun | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
23 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
24 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
25 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
26 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
27 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
28 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
29 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
30 Jun | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
1 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
2 Jul | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
3 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
4 Jul | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
5 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
6 Jul | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
7 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
8 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
9 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
10 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
11 Jul | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
12 Jul | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
13 Jul | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
14 Jul | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
15 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
16 Jul | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
17 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
18 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
19 Jul | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
20 Jul | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
21 Jul | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
22 Jul | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
23 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
24 Jul | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
25 Jul | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
26 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
27 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
28 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
29 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
30 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
31 Jul | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
1 Aug | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Diamond | 359 | Qsuite |
2 Aug | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
3 Aug | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
4 Aug | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
5 Aug | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
6 Aug | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
7 Aug | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
8 Aug | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
9 Aug | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
10 Aug | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
11 Aug | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
12 Aug | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
13 Aug | 359 | Diamond | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
14 Aug | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
15 Aug | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
16 Aug | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
17 Aug | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 359 | Qsuite |
18 Aug | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
19 Aug | 359 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite | 351 | Qsuite |
20 Aug 2023 ↓ 30 Mar 2024 (plan) |
359 or 351 |
Qsuite | 359 or 351 |
Qsuite | 359 or 351 |
Qsuite |
With only 50% of Qatar Airways’ Singapore flights featuring the Qsuite back in March 2023, before the carrier was loading all-Qsuite operation on the route, this is fantastic news since it shows the airline is most certainly sticking to its ‘promise’, except for some very occasional unlucky operational swaps.
The schedule
Qatar Airways operates three flights per day from Singapore to Doha, all of which now have the Qsuite through to the end of the northern winter 2023/24 season, with a mixture of Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft used.
Here’s how it looks for the current summer 2023 period.
Singapore – Doha
Now – 28th October 2023
Doha – Singapore
Now – 28th October 2023
* Next day
For the upcoming northern winter 2023/24 season, some timing adjustments happen, but fundamentally it’s the same trio of flights operating on this route in both directions, all with the Qsuite in Business Class.
Singapore – Doha
29th October 2023 – 30th March 2024
Doha – Singapore
29th October 2023 – 30th March 2024
* Next day
Which Qatar Airways aircraft have the Qsuite?
Currently only newer Qatar Airways Airbus A350-900s, all Airbus A350-1000s and selected Boeing 777s have the product installed. The only aircraft you’re guaranteed to get the Qsuite on is the A350-1000.
- A350-900: 29% (10/34)
- A350-1000: 100% (24/24)
- 777-200LR: 78% (7/9)
- 777-300ER: 70% (38/57)
Wide body aircraft without Qsuite:
- A330 (0/12)
- A380 (0/10)
- 787 (0/41)
In total 79 of Qatar Airways’ total wide body fleet are now fitted with Qsuite in Business Class. That’s still only 42% of the carrier’s 187 wide-body passenger aircraft, though if you exclude the A330, A380 and 787, since the current Qsuite design doesn’t fit on these narrower aircraft, it’s a more respectable 64% completion rate.
What’s the Qsuite like?
We flew the Qsuite on the A350-1000 from Frankfurt to Doha back in September 2018, just after it launched. It wasn’t perfect – the food and service were a bit of a let-down, and the seat itself is smaller than it looks (certainly no First Class competitor in size terms).
Nonetheless, the design and finish of the product, the excellent privacy and the ‘proper’ double bed or quad / group style middle seating options simply make this a fantastic hard product.
If you haven’t tried it – you should!
We have enjoyed several Qsuite trips since our review, and we’re happy to have some more locked in for this coming northern winter season.
What about operational swaps?
Unfortunately despite now scheduling all-Qsuite operation on the Singapore route, and sticking to this 99% of the time, there is always that 1% possibility of a last minute operational change to a non-Qsuite equipped aircraft on your flight.
That would almost certainly be in the form of the older Collins Super Diamond product fitted to the non-Qsuite Airbus A350-900s, but it’s probably unfair to talk about these seats in a derogatory way.
This is still a solid Business Class seat, indeed recently selected by British Airways for a long overdue renewal of its Club World cabin (albeit with a privacy door in that case).
We reviewed the product in September 2019 on an A350-900 flight from Athens to Doha.
While it’s no Qsuite in terms of privacy, the 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration in this cabin is still sufficiently private, especially if you can secure a window seat when flying solo.
For couples the middle pairs certainly don’t have the allure of the rear-facing E/F seats on the Qsuite (which convert into a double bed), but are still a good option.
Of course that doesn’t change the fact that if you booked or redeemed purely to try the Qsuite, this alternative simply won’t cut it for you – so keep your fingers crossed for no operational substitution on your flight!
How to redeem the Qsuite
Qatar Airways does not pass fuel surcharges on to its own Privilege Club members (or BA Avios members) redeeming Qatar Airways, though unfortunately award surcharges have recently been re-introduced.
Nonetheless, the Avios programme is still among the cheapest redemption options from Singapore to Europe in Business Class, with the excellent Qsuite now offered on all Singapore flights (and many flights beyond Doha too).
Here are some example redemption options using the programme, showing miles rates and taxes payable for redeeming on Qatar Airways flights one-way from Singapore using Avios, against some other programmes (careful of those fuel surcharges!).
Qatar Business Class redemption from Singapore | ||||
FFP | Doha | London | Athens | New York |
50k +S$159 |
75k +S$299 |
70k +S$299 |
95k +S$351 |
|
61k +S$444 |
70k +S$757 |
70k +S$757 |
90k +S$895 |
|
75k +S$444 |
119.2k +S$757 |
90k +S$757 |
159k +S$895 |
|
82k +S$444 |
131k +S$757 |
131k +S$757 |
165k +S$895 |
As you can see even though you’ll pay slightly less to fly in Business Class from Singapore to London on Qatar Airways using Asia Miles, the fuel surcharge payable through that programme significantly increases the cash outlay to over S$750, compared to S$299 using Privilege Club or BA Avios.
You’re always better using Avios if you can, when redeeming Qatar Airways flights.
Do note that Asia Miles will be devalued from 1st October 2023, and while the exact impact on partner flight awards has not been revealed, we’re expecting rate hikes of around 30% in Business Class.
What about 31st March 2024 onwards?
Like with this seasonal schedule update, Qatar Airways won’t confirm its aircraft type allocation for the summer 2024 season until a couple of months beforehand, so it’s too early to say what the plan is for the Singapore route from 31st March 2024 onwards at this stage.
That said, there’s less concern than there was for this upcoming winter season, because the airline is already showing the Qsuite on all three daily services from 31st March 2024 onwards, to the end of the published schedule.
Once again, we strongly suspect the Qsuite will remain on all three flights on this route during the summer 2024 season, as it did this year and before COVID-19.
How to check your flight has Qsuite
To be sure that your Qatar Airways flight has the Qsuite, and to monitor this until your departure date, see our guide below (click to expand).
If you know which aircraft registration will be operating your flight, you can also cross-reference whether it has the Qsuite based on the latest list of aircraft registrations which have the Qsuite installed below (click to expand).
The Qatar Singapore Premium Lounge is now open in the mornings
Since July 2023, Qatar Airways has reintroduced the morning opening window at its fantastic Premium Lounge here at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1.
That means if you’re jetting off in Business Class on QR943, or a suitably timed Oneworld flight, it is worth getting to the airport early once again to enjoy this facility, which for several months was only available to QR945 and QR947 passengers.
Here are the latest opening hours for the Qatar Singapore Premium Lounge.
Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge Opening Hours |
||
Morning | Evening | |
Until 30 Jun 2023 | — | 18:00 – 02:30 (Daily) |
From 1 Jul 2023 | 07:45 – 10:45 (Daily) |
This is now the only Oneworld lounge at Changi Airport T1 with a morning opening window, and the lounge staff recently shared with us that they tend to actually open the doors a little earlier than scheduled at around 7.30am, so feel free to pop by and check.
Lounge opening is extended in the event of QR943 (morning) or QR945 (evening) departure delay.
Aside from Qatar Airways’ own passengers, the morning opening does provide some extra options for those in premium cabins on Oneworld flights too, useful for certain departure timings with Malaysia Airlines in particular.
Do note that status alone is not enough to get you past the door here – you must be departing in Business Class or First Class on a Oneworld flight to be eligible for access.
All three daily Qatar Airways flights between Singapore and Doha have been benefitting from aircraft fitted with the popular Qsuite Business Class seats since mid-April this year, a situation that’s now planned until at least the end of March 2024 – effectively a permanent arrangement.
This follows a rapid return to service for over a dozen of the carrier’s A350s, following a spat with Airbus over peeling paint, plus new aircraft deliveries fitted with the Qsuite.
Unfortunately, Qsuite is never guaranteed due to the possibility of operational equipment swaps right up to day of departure. The only aircraft that definitely has it is the A350-1000, so if that’s the type operating your flight and it’s still showing the same the day before or on the day itself, you’re almost 100% safe.
Nonetheless, the Qsuite ‘strike rate’ on the Singapore route remains 99% at the time of writing, so barring an operational disruption – you should be safe.
Qsuite passengers departing from Singapore also have the airline’s fantastic Premium Lounge to look forward to, now open for all three daily departures.
Happy Qsuite-ing to and from Singapore!
(Cover Photo: Qatar Airways)
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