Another way the Qatar Qsuites business class experience was superior on this long-haul flight compared to economy class is the bathroom. That may sound minor, but on an international flight—where most people will use it at least once, if not twice—the quality of the bathroom actually matters.
Here are seven concrete reasons why the business class bathroom was better. YMMV.
1. Bigger Bathroom
There’s simply more room. You can move, turn, and function without feeling boxed in or rushed.
2. Fewer People Using It
By my count, there were 32 people in business class on our flight. There were two dedicated bathrooms serving a relatively small group—roughly one bathroom for about 16 passengers or fewer, depending on the aircraft layout. I will not even hazard a guess as to the ratio for economy passengers to toilets. Less traffic makes a noticeable difference.
3. Softer Paper Towels
Not exciting, but noticeable. The paper towels were softer than what you typically find in economy. It felt so soft that I would not have had a problem using those to blow my nose.
4. Let me take a whiz while staring at clouds
There was a window in the bathroom. Natural light makes the space feel less claustrophobic and more normal—something you don’t expect on a plane until you see it. Really, though … I thought it was pretty cool that I could be staring at clouds from above while taking a leak.
5. Better Lighting
The lighting was brighter and clearer without being harsh. You can actually see what you’re doing. The mirror actually had multiple lights on it.
6. Smelled better
This could have been a function of fewer people using the latrines. It could have been a function of more frequent cleaning. It could have been a variety of factors. Regardless, it smelled better.
7. Sanitizing Wipes Available
Wipes were provided to sanitize the toilet seat. On a long flight with shared facilities, that’s a practical touch.
Why This Matters on Long Flights
Airplane bathrooms are rarely part of the booking decision, but over many hours in the air, they become part of the experience whether you like it or not. In the Qatar Qsuites business class, the bathroom experience is simply handled better.