The Definitive Guide to Qatar Airways’ Direct Routes From the U.S. [Plane Types & Seat Options]

Key Takeaways

• Qatar Airways operates flights from major U.S. cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, primarily using Boeing 777s and Airbus A350s.
• Most of these aircraft are equipped with the luxurious Qsuite in business class, offering lie-flat seats, privacy doors, and high-end amenities.
• Qatar Airways is known for its exceptional service and connectivity through its Doha hub, providing access to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Qatar Airways has made a name for itself as one of the world’s fastest-growing full-service carriers. With an ideally located hub in Doha, Qatar, it serves as a key connection point for travelers flying from North America to most of the world, including faraway places like southern Africa, Central Asia, and even Southeast Asia.

Qatar is a member of the Oneworld alliance and offers flights to many U.S. gateways, providing travelers with 1-stop connectivity to many far-flung destinations around the world, making it one of the best options for long-haul travelers.

However, the main reason Qatar Airways has become known as one of the world’s top carriers is thanks to its Qsuite business class product, one of the most aspirational products you can fly.

In this guide, we’ll look at which U.S. routes are flown by Qatar Airways’ various aircraft types and the planes and seats you should try to be booking.

Qatar Airways Seat Options by Aircraft Type

Qatar Airways has one of the world’s youngest airline fleets, with an average aircraft age of approximately 5 years.

Qatar Airways uses a hub-and-spoke model, connecting passengers coming from “spokes” in its network through its central hub, Hamad International Airport (DOH), located in Qatar’s capital city, Doha.

Currently, Qatar Airways uses 4 different types of planes on flights to the U.S.:

• Airbus A350-1000
• Airbus A350-900
• Boeing 777-300ER
• Boeing 777-200LR

And here’s a chart that walks you through the various U.S. routes available on Qatar, including each route’s flight number, aircraft type, cabin classes on offer, and frequencies:

Best Points To Earn To Fly Qatar Airways

There are plenty of ways to earn Avios for flights on Qatar Airways. Oneworld partners are eligible to book Qatar Airways flights so long as Qatar Airways releases award availability to these partners.

At a high level, we recommend using American Airlines AAdvantage, Japan Airlines Mileage Bank, Cathay Pacific Cathay, and The British Airways Club to book Qatar Airways flights. You can also use Qatar Airways’ frequent flyer program, Privilege Club, to book award travel.

The best loyalty program for you depends on the types of transferable points you have, the route you’re flying, and which cabin class you’re booking.

Qatar Airways First Class Options

Qatar Airways first class is only offered on its Airbus A380 aircraft, of which the carrier only has 10.

The A380’s generally only flown to premier markets like London-Heathrow (LHR) and Paris (CDG), and they’re not deployed on any U.S. routes.

Qatar Airways Business Class Options

Qatar Airways uses 4 different types of planes on flights to the U.S.

In this section, we’ll walk you through the different aircraft, including our top choices, and we’ll break down each type’s seat map and give you our recommendations for the best seats.

Qatar has frequent and unannounced equipment swaps. This is less common for U.S. flights but is worth mentioning.

Qatar Airways A350-1000 Qsuite

Our favorite iteration of Qatar’s Qsuite is found on the high-tech Airbus A350-1000. Why? This newer aircraft is one of the most fuel-efficient planes and boasts superior construction.

The A350-1000 features the most expansive cabin body of any class, with vertical sidewalls and larger windows, creating an extra spacious feel. It also features the largest overhead bins of any aircraft, for maximum storage.

The cabin is constructed from carbon composites and other alloys that minimize noise and maximize humidity for a more comfortable flight.

Qatar’s Airbus A350-1000s feature Qsuites business class arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration across a larger forward cabin with a minicabin behind it. Each suite measures 21.5 inches wide and 80 inches long in bed mode.

Here’s Qatar Airways’ A350-1000 seat map:

The E and F seats are the famous double-bed suites — they’re also rear-facing, which is a unique novelty. We recommend these “honeymoon” seats to couples traveling together.

Odd-numbered A and K seats are the best for solo travelers thanks to the extra privacy you get from the aisle compared to B and J seats.

Families traveling together can reserve quad Qsuites at 1E/1F/2D/2G, 3E/3F/4D/4G. These seats feature movable panels that allow passengers to transform the space into a social area, allowing those traveling to dine together. They can also be turned back into more private, individual suites.

At the moment, Qatar Airways flies to the following U.S. cities with the A350-1000:

• Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) – Doha (DOH) on QR 730
• Houston (IAH) – Doha (DOH)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Doha (DOH) on QR 740 and QR 742
• Miami (MIA) – Doha (DOH)
• New York (JFK) – Doha (DOH)
• San Francisco (SFO) – Doha (DOH)
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Doha (DOH) on QR 708 and QR 710

Hot Tip:

Currently, all of Qatar’s Airbus A350-1000s feature Qsuites!

Qatar Airways A350-900

Qatar features 2 variations on their A350-900 aircraft. Both feature business class in a 1-2-1 configuration. However, one variation features Qsuites and the other doesn’t. Currently, only about one-third of Qatar’s A350-900s feature Qsuites. More on that below.

Qatar Airways’ A350-900 Qsuites are almost identical to those on the A350-1000. The main difference is that the -900 has a slightly shorter range and a smaller passenger capacity.

The Qsuite has the same specs: 21.5 inches wide and 80 inches long in bed mode. However, on the -900, there are 36 suites in total — 12 in the rear cabin and 24 in the forward cabin.

The double beds are found at the E and F seat pairs — which is what we recommend for couples traveling together. If you’re flying solo, you’re probably better off reserving an A or K window seat.

You’ll find the Qsuite-equipped A350-900 aircraft on the following routes to and from the U.S.:

• Boston (BOS) – Doha (DOH)

Qatar Airways 777-300ER

Our next choice is the Boeing 777-300ER. It offers a high seating capacity but may be less comfortable than the A350-1000 and A350-900, as it doesn’t have some of the high-tech features newer aircraft have.

Qatar currently operates 56 different 777-300ER variations — more than half of them featuring Qsuites.

Qsuites are slightly smaller on the 777-300ER, at 21 inches wide instead of 21.5 inches. The seat pitch and bed length are the same, though, at 80 inches each.

The configuration is also the same: a 1-2-1 layout with alternating forward- and rear-facing seats. The 42 Qsuites are spread across 2 cabins, with 24 suites in the front cabin and 18 in the rear cabin.

For those traveling by themselves, we recommend the A and K seats. We think the best seats are 10A and 10K because of their location in the minicabin away from the lavatories.

From a privacy perspective, 11E and 11F are the best double-bed Qsuites for those traveling together.

Qatar Airways’ 777-300ER is found on the following U.S. routes:

• Atlanta (ATL) – Doha (DOH)
• Chicago (ORD) – Doha (DOH) on QR 726
• New York (JFK) – Doha (DOH) on QR 702/704/706
• Seattle (SEA) – Doha (DOH)

Qatar Airways 777-200LR

The last Qsuite product we’ll discuss is on the Boeing 777-200LR, which is simply the long-range variant of the 777-200.

Qatar also features 2 different variations on the 777-200LR. Currently, 7 of the 9 Boeing 777-200LRs feature Qsuites. However, the other 2 feature business class seats in a 2-2-2 configuration. The 2-2-2 business class is a significant letdown compared to those 777-200LRs featuring Qsuites.

The Qsuites are the same as those found on the 777-300ER, coming in at 21 inches wide and 80 inches long in bed mode.

There are 42 Qsuites in total, with 18 in the rear minicabin and 24 in the forward cabin:

We always recommend picking minicabin seats if possible, and this is no exception. If booking the minicabin in the rear is possible, solo travelers should reserve the 10A or 10K window seats, while couples should book 11E/F or 9E/F.

The long-range 777-200LR is found on the following routes:

• Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) – Doha (DOH) on QR 732

Qatar Airways A350-900 Business Class

The last aircraft we’ll discuss in the business class section is the non-Qsuite-equipped Airbus A350-900, the other variation of the A350-900 aircraft.

This is our least preferred option, as it’s the only aircraft flown to the U.S. without Qsuites installed.

This business class cabin consists of reverse-herringbone seats in a 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access and fully lie-flat seats.

Each of these 36 seats measures 22 inches wide and 80 inches long in bed mode. There are 24 seats in the forward cabin and 12 in the rear minicabin.

Here’s what the seat map looks like:

The most significant difference between Qsuites and these reverse-herringbone seats is that Qsuites have much more privacy and versatility. This more traditional reverse-herringbone product doesn’t have a tall seat shell, a sliding door, or the ability to create double beds or quad suites.

Since these seats are all more or less the same, our recommendation is to simply avoid seats near the lavatories and galleys, if possible.

Bottom Line:

Qatar Airways has quite a varied wide-body fleet, with business class configurations varying slightly. Qsuites business class is most often found on Qatar’s Airbus A350-1000s and its Boeing 777-200LRs.

Qatar Airways Premium Economy Options

Qatar Airways doesn’t offer any flights with premium economy to or from the U.S.

Qatar Airways Economy Class Options

Now it’s time to talk about coach class.

As you’ll find out, we have strong preferences for — and aversions to — specific seats and planes.

Qatar Airways A350-900 Economy Class

Of all the possible options, our favorite economy cabin on Qatar Airways is the Airbus A350-900 (non-Qsuite).

Why? It’s simple: The seats are the widest, and a handful of preferential seats have extra legroom.

Each seat is 18 inches wide, which isn’t industry-leading, but it is the widest you’ll find on Qatar. Each of the 247 seats has 31 to 32 inches of legroom, and they’re arranged (mostly) in a 3-3-3 configuration.

Here’s what the seat map looks like:

The best seats are 17D, 17E, 17F, and Row 30. All these seats have extra legroom, though Row 30 seats may be slightly worse due to their proximity to the lavatories and galleys.

If possible, you should avoid seats in rows 16, 43, and 44. Row 16 seats have restricted legroom, while rows 43 and 44 are at the back of the plane with limited recline and right next to the galleys and lavatories.

Qatar Airways A350-900 (With Qsuites) Economy Class

Next up is Qatar Airways’ A350-900 (with Qsuites) economy.

Again, there are 247 seats, but they are slightly narrower at around 17.5 inches wide. The seat pitch is the same, though, at 31 to 32 inches each, and the 3-3-3 configuration is the same, as shown below:

The best seats are at row 30, thanks to the exit row affording extra legroom. Row 16 seats could be good for extra legroom, but the bulkhead might restrict the “stretchability” of extra-tall flyers.

Avoid rows 28, 29, 43, and 44, because they’re close to the lavatories and can’t recline as much as the other seats.

Qatar Airways 777-200LR Economy Class

The Boeing 777-200LR can fit 230 travelers in economy with a hybrid 3-3-3 or 3-4-3 configuration. The seats are narrower — 16.9 to 17.4 inches wide — though the pitch is unchanged at 31 to 32 inches.

Here’s what the seat map looks like:

Seats 17D/E/F, 19D, 27A/B/C/H/J/K, and 29D are the best picks, thanks to the extra legroom at each.

We recommend avoiding seats near the lavatories, including the red-colored ones illustrated above.

Qatar Airways 777-300ER Economy Class

Qatar Airways’ 777-300ER economy cabin has a 3-3-3 or 3-4-3 seating arrangement, with each seat being 17 inches wide and offering 31 to 32 inches of pitch.

The enormous plane has a whopping 312 economy seats. However, there are quite a few seats we prefer, as outlined in the seat map below:

Rows 16 and 35 have excellent legroom, as does Row 23 (excluding A and K seats, which have to deal with the exit door protrusion).

Seats in rows 34 and 45 have limited recline, which is something to avoid for long-haul travel. They’re also close to the galleys and lavatories — yet another reason to avoid them.

Qatar Airways A350-1000 Economy Class

The last product we’ll discuss is the A350-1000 economy cabin, which has 281 seats in a 3-3-3 layout.

Each seat is 16.9 to 17.4 inches wide and offers 31 to 32 inches of pitch.

The best seats for solo travelers are 31A or 31K, which don’t have seats in front of them.

Couples traveling together may wish to choose 30A/C, 30H/K, 16A/B, or 16H/K, as these have extra legroom and occupy their own little area. We recommend avoiding rows 29, 47, and 48. The impetus for this is that rows 29, 47, and 48 have restricted recline space and are right next to the galleys and lavatories.

Final Thoughts

Qatar Airways flies nonstop to plenty of U.S. airports, including all of the international gateways you’d expect, like Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), and New York (JFK).

Better yet, Qsuites is available on most routes and should be on more routes as Qatar continues to outfit its aircraft. Qatar occasionally has aircraft swaps, which can be disappointing if you want to fly Qsuites.

If you’re booking any Qsuite ticket, you’re in great shape. However, if we had to pick one aircraft to fly Qsuites, it’d be the Airbus A350-1000. The cabin construction helps regulate the onboard climate, which can go a long way in terms of comfort and fighting jet lag.

Qatar features 2 different variations on their A350-900 aircraft. Both feature business class in a 1-2-1 configuration. However, one variation features Qsuites and the other has a layout with reverse-herringbone seats. We prefer the Qsuites product.

If you’re flying in coach, our favorite seats are on the A350-900s without Qsuites, thanks to their greater width compared to the other aircraft in Qatar’s fleet.