Review – Qatar Airways A380 First Class from Doha to Bangkok

Qatar Airways A380 First Class – Introduction

Qatar Airways A380 First Class is a luxurious experience that blends retro charm with modern comfort. Qatar operates its A380 First Class cabin on routes between Doha (DOH) and select cities like London (LHR), Paris (CDG), Bangkok (BKK), Sydney (SYD), and Perth (PER). In November of last year, I had the opportunity to fly Qatar Airways First Class from Doha to Bangkok, an experience I had long anticipated. I wasn’t initially seeking this flight, but when I found availability through Qatar Privilege Club, I couldn’t resist. I booked the journey at 190,000 Avios points, which included a lacklustre Qsuite experience from Montreal (YUL) to Doha.

Qatar Airways A380

Booking Qatar Airways A380 First Class

This trip from Montreal to Bangkok, with a layover in Doha, was booked using 190,000 Qatar Avios points and $300 in taxes. I took advantage of a 30% transfer bonus promotion from RBC Avion to British Airways Avios, converting 150,000 RBC points to make the booking possible. The ability to link my Qatar Privilege Club and British Airways Executive Club accounts made the transfer seamless and allowed me to book the entire trip using the Avios in my Qatar account.

Sample booking on QR Privilege Club – Mixed Cabin Flexi

Boarding Qatar Airways A380 First Class

Typically, First Class passengers would enjoy the Al Safwa First Class Lounge in Doha before boarding. However, due to renovations, I spent time at the newly opened Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge – The Garden instead, which I nicknamed “First Class lite.” After relaxing for a few hours, I headed to the gate for my flight to Bangkok.

QR 834
Airbus A380-800
Doha (DOH) to Bangkok (BKK)
Duration: 6h 40m
Seat: 2K

When I arrived at the gate a few minutes before boarding, I found no staff present. After about 30 minutes, we were informed that the gate had changed, prompting a hurried 10-minute walk across the terminal.

Crowded boarding area for QR 834

No staff in sight

I arrived at the new gate again to find no staff available despite the flight listing on the gate screen. Once again, 20-30 minutes later, staff gathered at the gate to inform us that the flight was delayed due to technical reasons. Our boarding passes were scanned, and business and first-class passengers were ushered to the upper level of the waiting area, which was a bit more spacious.

Pre-Boarding waiting area for premium passengers

The ‘good news’ was that the aircraft had pulled into the gate and passed the checks before announcing boarding. Eventually, the flight was delayed by more than an hour and a half, while I sat in the waiting area with other passengers, all anxious for an official update from the airline. I did not receive an email or SMS notification of this delay. The staff in the waiting area also did not know much beyond that.

Qatar A380 parked at gate

There was a collective sigh of relief when the boarding was finally announced close to two hours from the originally scheduled flight time. After a quick secondary check of my passport and boarding passes, I walked into the aircraft’s upper deck through the dedicated doors.

Qatar Airways A380 First Class – Cabin and Seats

The First Class cabin on the A380 is located in the forward section of the upper deck and features a 1-2-1 configuration. My seat, 2K, was on the right-hand side. With its retro touches, the cabin offers wide, plush seats covered in soft fabric.  The seat was spacious, with a 26-inch screen, ottoman seating, and access to three large windows. The open feel added to the luxurious atmosphere, while the suite lacks full privacy—there’s only a small divider between you and the aisle.

QR A380 First Class Cabin

QR A380 First Class Seat

Seat 2K – Qatar Airways First Class

QR A380 First Class Seat

One feature I appreciated was the absence of overhead luggage bins, which made the cabin feel even more spacious. There was ample storage for smaller items, while the crew stored my carry-on luggage in a dedicated compartment at the front of the cabin. The chair was incredibly comfortable despite some wear around the seat’s leather lining.

Pull out Tray Table

Remote IFE control

Seat Storage – Literature

Seat Controls and Headset

Shortly after settling in, the purser returned with a cold towel, the menu, and an amenity kit from Diptyque. She also offered a set of pyjamas and explained the cabin features. I took the opportunity to freshen up and change into my pyjamas in the spacious washroom at the front of the cabin. The warm purple colours complimented the lovely white orchids, while the sofa seating added to the understated luxury.

Amenity kit by diptyque

QR A380 First Class Washroom

First Class washroom – Sink

Seating in washroom

Once back at my seat, I was served a refreshing lemon-mint drink and a glass of champagne, setting the tone for the dining and service ahead. As the aircraft taxied to the runway, dates and Arabic coffee were offered, a warm gesture that I appreciated.

Welcome Drink – Champagne with olives and cheese

Qatar Airways A380 First Class – Meal Service

Due to the two-hour delay, it was nearly 3 a.m. by the time we reached cruising altitude. Shortly after, the crew began the drinks service, accompanied by a bowl of olives and cheese. With dine-on-demand in play, I chose the soup and a kebab platter, which were both excellent. I paired my meal with a mango drink, served alongside a bowl of nuts.

Mango drink with warm nuts

Red Pepper Soup

Lamb Kebab with Babaganoush

With less than six hours remaining on the flight, I wanted to maximize my time between a quick meal, visiting the onboard lounge, and getting some rest. After dining, a crew member kindly offered to set up my bed. I took this opportunity to visit the onboard bar, which is located just past the Business Class cabin on the upper deck.

Qatar Airways A380 First Class – Onboard Bar and WiFi

The onboard lounge on Qatar Airways’ A380 is expansive, larger than the bar on Emirates A380. The bar curves around the central section of the upper deck and features ample seating on both sides. A long leather bench runs along the windows, while the bar itself has an elegant design with a rose flower arrangement. The display of spirits behind the bar adds to the luxurious atmosphere.

Qatar Airways A380 onboard Bar

Onboard Bar

When I visited, the lounge was busy, with most seats taken. The crew at the bar were actively preparing cocktails and serving quick bites. They even offered to take my photo behind the bar, which I declined, though I did take a few pictures of the bar itself. Unfortunately, given the crowd, I didn’t feel comfortable capturing more of the lounge.

While I was in the bar, the crew in the First Class cabin had proactively redied my seat with a seat cover and blankets in case I wanted to stretch out on the fully flat bed before landing in BKK. The already comfortable seat was now even more plush with the blanket and mattress, and I could not help but snooze for the last hour and a bit of the flight.

Ready to be a lie flat bed

They also left me a voucher for free Wi-Fi if I chose to work instead. The Wi-Fi access took a short while to connect, but it was a decent speed for getting emails and doing some light work.

Qatar Airways A380 First Class – Takeaway

The 6-hour, 40-minute flight from Doha to Bangkok felt too short to enjoy the Qatar Airways A380 First Class experience fully. The cabin, seat, service, and amenities are superb and deserve a longer flight. The seat privacy could be improved, but the comfort more than makes up for it. Despite the initial delay, the overall experience was luxurious, and the onboard bar was a highlight.

Qatar Airways has committed to First Class cabins on their newer 777-9 aircraft, but it’s uncertain how long the A380 will remain in service. If you have the chance to fly Qatar’s A380 First Class, I’d highly recommend it before this icon is retired.