Qatar Airways First Class Cabin – Everything you need to know (2025)
The Complete Guide to Flying Qatar Airways First Class

The Qatar Airways First Class product provides an exceptional luxury travel experience.
My comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Qatar Airways first class cabin.
Doha Hamad International Airport

Doha Hamad International Airport is the home of Middle Eastern carrier Qatar Airways.
If you are flying Qatar Airways First Class you will either begin your journey at Doha International Airport or you will transit through the airport for a connecting journey.
Hamad International Airport was the first ever designed specifically for the A380.
Having one of the eight longest runways in the world, it can take-offs and landings of 100 planes per hour.
Flying Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways has one of the newest fleets on the market. The modern designed interiors make flying Qatar Airways a refreshing experience.
The Qatar Airways aircraft usually consists of economy and business class cabins.
The decision to not include premium economy and a full-on first class is to facilitate a better-upscaled experience in Qatar economy and Qatar business class.
However, they currently offer a limited first-class service to certain destinations on their ten A380s and the four 777 aircraft they are leasing from Cathay Pacific.
The Qatar Airways First Class experience
The Qatar Airways First Class experience is incredible.
From booking to flying, you will be allowed many perks and bespoke services from flying first class, which you will not be able to receive when flying other cabins.
How to book a first class ticket with Qatar Airways
As mentioned, Qatar Airways offers a limited first-class service to London (LHR), Sydney (SYD) Hong Kong(HKG), Male(MLE), and Bangkok(BKK).
Flights on the shorter routes to Dubai(DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Jeddah (JED), and other destinations in the Middle East may be marketed as Qatar Airways first class, but the cabin is more like business class.
Once you establish the route and availability of the first class cabin, you can book online or through an agent.
First Class check in
One of the key differences between Qatar Airways Business Class and Qatar Airways first class is the airport experience.
It begins with the check in process. If your flight originates at Hamad International Airport, as a first class passenger you will have access to the Al Safwa check-in for first class passengers.
Here travelers are allocated a private check in desk. Passengers are greeted with rose-scented cold towels as their boarding passes are printed.
You can then process through a private security gate to access the rest of the first class amenities at the airport
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge
Once you have checked in and cleared security, you will have lounge access to the Al Safwa Lounge.
Only first class passengers and Platinum Privilege members who are flying business class are allowed to access the lounge.
If you pay careful attention you will notice the lounge staff communicating with each other on their headphones. They inform their colleagues of premium passengers that are in the lounge, referring to them by their full name.
This personalized service is unmatched and what makes the first class experience so special.
The lounge opened in 2018 and holds several Islamic art exhibits and other. It has private bedrooms, family rooms, a games room, and a spa with a jacuzzi (complimentary). The Al Safwa lounge also has its own dedicated duty-free shopping for these premium-class passengers.
The extensive menu serves cuisine for every tastebud. Of course, it also comes with Qatar Airways signature Lemon and Mint drink and traditional Arabic coffee and dates to end the meal.
You can easily spend a few hours in the Al Safwa Lounge.
How to get good value from your ticket
Book a first class ticket from the outset to take advantage of premium perks and score the best deals.
Redeem miles for Qatar’s first class
If you are a frequent flyer and have accumulated enough points, consider redeeming your miles for a first class ticket with Qatar Airways.
Each first class cabin has 2 first class seats for award availability. So work out your travel dates ahead of time and start looking for award availability.
How to Redeem Points for Qatar Airways First Class
Qatar Airways Privilege Club and British Airways Executive Club
Qatar Airways has a loyalty program called Privilege Club that allows passengers to earn and redeem points for flights, upgrades, and other rewards.
In 2022, Privilege Club adopted Avios as its rewards currency. Avios has been the rewards currency of British Airways for a long time.
This means you can transfer points at a 1-1 ratio back and forth.
To redeem points for first-class flights, passengers can log into their Privilege Club or Avios account and search for available flights.
American Airlines AAdvantage
You can also redeem AAdvantage miles for Qatar Airways flights, through your AAdvantage account.
Alaska Mileage Plan
Alaska miles are compatible with certain sectors of travel on Qatar Airways.
If you have miles accumulated in more than one program, you should work out the best redemption value for your points.
On Board Qatar Airways First Class
Flying Qatar Airways First Class is an unforgettable experience. The spacious cabin is designed to provide comfort, luxury, and the ultimate experience in the clouds.
When you are seated, you will be offered a cold scented towel and a welcome drink. The signature lemon and mint drink is worth a try. This drink is served with warm nuts.
You will be provided Diptyque amenity kits, pajamas from the White Company (complete with slippers), and a menu for the flight.
Airbus A380 First Class
first class and business class cabins are located on the upper deck of the A380. There are 8 first class seats on the aircraft, in a 1-2-1 arrangement.
The cabins have privacy partitions but are not fully enclosed for privacy as they are quite low. All first class seats have direct aisle access.

Passengers can also take advantage of the lounge area on the upper deck, which is perfect for socializing or working.
777 First Class
As the 777 aircrafts are being leased from Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways first class on the 777 would closely resemble the first class cabins of Cathay Pacific.
There are 6 first class seats across 2 rows. All first class seats have direct aisle access.
They are dividers for privacy.

Insider tip: The 777 aircraft have been created for 4 different classes, however Qatar Airways only markets 3 classes on these flights. You may be able to choose a premium economy seat for the price of an economy ticket.
Best Routes for Qatar Airways First Class
- Doha – London
- Doha – Male
- Doha – Sydney
- Doha – Bangkok
Qatar Airways First Class Food
Having a meal on Qatar Airways is an experience on its own.
You can choose starters, a main course, and dessert from the extensive menu. The tray table is clad with a white tablecloth, candle, and elegant glass wear.

Qatar’s Stopover Program
Qatar Airways’ stopover program is a great way to experience the country’s rich culture and history.
The program includes complimentary tours and transit visas, making it an excellent way to experience Qatar without breaking the bank.
How Much Does it Cost for a First Class Ticket on Qatar Airways?
The cost of a first-class ticket on Qatar Airways will vary depending on the season.
A recent search showed an estimate of $9000 for a return flight class flight from Doha to London.
How to Upgrade to First Class on Qatar Airways for Free
The chances of getting upgraded to first class for free are low.
However, having a high status on the loyalty program may help when flights are overbooked or during peak seasons.
Privilege Club Loyalty Program: By earning a premium status, you may be first in line for complimentary upgrades to the next cabin.
How Much Does it Cost to Upgrade to First Class on Qatar Airways?
The cost of upgrading to first class on Qatar Airways will vary depending on the route and availability.
How Many Miles to Upgrade to Qatar Airways First Class?
The number of miles required to upgrade to Qatar Airways First Class will vary based on the route and availability.
Summary
Qatar Airways has redefined travel in terms of its offerings. All cabins offer many benefits and perks compared to many airlines.
They have had a very strong focus on delivering an economy cabin that beats most other airlines.
They have developed the Qsuites, which a business-class cabins unlike anything else in the sky. The Qsuites has delivered so much that it is hard to imagine anything surpassing that.
The QSuites business class flights have features that are similar to the first class cabin experience with the key difference being the ground experience.

Qatar Airways have crafted an exceptional flying experience for premium passengers. Qatar Airways has set a high standard for international travel and is truly an experience not to be missed.