My Review on Qatar Airways & Turkish Airlines Business Class
Table of Contents
- Why I Started Flying Business Class
- How I Upgrade Before Departure
- Turkish Airlines Business Class Review
- Qatar Airways Q-Suite Business Class Review
- Final Thoughts: Why You Should Upgrade
Why I Started Flying Business Class
Life is too short to not fly business class. This business class review came about when I was flying with my late Mom to New Zealand with Air Asia.
She was diagnosed with cancer right before the trip & it would be our last trip together.
I recalled that she was so uncomfortable in Economy & at the next route, I had my Dad upgrade her to the Silent Zone which was like a Premium Economy.
We had the row of seats to ourselves & I remember looking over at her while she was sleeping, and it suddenly hit me, life is too short.
Whatever that makes you come alive in your daily routine; that makes you wake up in the morning, to give it your best, work towards that goal daily.
As for me, long days managing a grocery store enables me to enjoy comfortable travel 2-3 times a year.
How I Upgrade Before Departure
Favorite Airlines for Long Routes
For flights between the USA, Middle East, Africa, and Asia, my go-to choices are:
- Turkish Airlines – Affordable, reliable, and good service.
- Qatar Airways – Pure luxury, especially in business class.
Simple Upgrade Process
Most business class upgrades can be done easily 24 hours before departure through the app:
- Turkish Airlines: Upgrade from Atlanta–Istanbul costs about 65,000 points (~$650). You can also purchase miles; as of 2025, 1,000 miles cost $30 with online discounts of 10–25%.
- Qatar Airways: Upgrades have increased from $800 to $1,500 for USA–Doha routes.
I do not enjoy economy class with Qatar as there are many kids on the plane & when one child cries, the rest follow. I prefer Turkish Airlines economy class clientele as most of them are adults that are flying to Europe & are more courteous in ethics & privacy.
Turkish Airlines Business Class Review
In-flight experience
The business class seats on Turkish Airlines are comfortable with flatbeds for sleeping. I’ve flown business class four times, and the seating layout varies by aircraft, especially on newer planes.
I appreciated this comfort on my recent journey while en route to Central Asia, a region I’ve detailed further in a separate blog post.
One unique feature: a chef takes your order after take-off for a full à la carte dining experience.
Turkish tea and coffee are must-tries. My favorite memory? Having both at the same time—it might sound odd, but I loved it.
Turkish Airlines Business Class Amenities
Turkish Airlines Lounge in Istanbul
The lounge in Istanbul Intl Airport is spectacular. Excellent local food, and great amenities. I took a quick shower at the lounge & had the famous Turkish meatballs & tea.
They have cool charging stations at the eating table where you can just leave your phone.
Qatar Airways Q-Suite Business Class Review
This is my second time experiencing the Q-Suite with Qatar. It’s an experience of a life-time & the route was from Doha, Qatar to Atlanta, USA, a 15 hour flight.
My seat was 9A where I am facing the opposite direction of the flight direction. It was quite a cool experience.
Comfort & Amenities
- Pajamas and amenity kits provided.
- Restrooms stocked with lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and cleaned regularly.
- Delicious meals served throughout the flight.
I took advantage of their meals through the flight time. The meals are delicious.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Upgrade
If you can, I highly recommend for you to upgrade into the world of the business class privileges since we only live once. It”s about the experiences that we carry with us till the end. The new faces, new places, new kinds of food and climate is what makes the difference in our journey called life!
