We flew on the 'world's best' airline as a family, here's how it went
"Wait! Stop!" We'd just gotten off our Qatar Airways flight home and the shout rang out behind us before we'd made it even 10 metres down the aerobridge.
Running up to us was a crew member, brandishing a fluffy Berlin teddy bear our little one had obviously dropped in her seat. She would have been very upset had we left him behind.
Qatar Airways is considered to be the 'world's best airline'. And this simple gesture was just one of many highlights we experienced flying with the airline on a family trip to Europe.
We flew with Qatar Airways to Europe on a family holiday. Supplied/Kristine Tarbert
Qatar Airways was crowned the top airline in the world by Skytrax in 2025. It's the ninth time the airline has received the honour in the 26-year history of the awards, which are known as the Oscars of the aviation world.
Its business class and economy cabins are also award-winning. But flying with a two-year-old is a whole different ball game, no matter how amazing an airline is on paper.
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Both ways, we had a stopover at Hamad International Airport in Doha, with flight times varying between five to six hours and 13-14 hours each leg.
Here's what it was like flying with the world's best airline as a family.
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Qatar Airways Q Suite business class is actually ideal for families. Supplied/Kristine Tarbert
The seats
Qatar Airways Q Suite is considered the best business class offering in the world and the seating configuration is actually ideal if you are travelling as a family.
Choose rear-facing seats in the centre aisle as the entire middle wall can come down to allow you easy access to your little one.
I was impressed she even stayed in her own seat for take off (for reference, she had only recently turned two and required her own seat at this stage).
If you're wondering now where Dad ended up, well, this is the kicker. He thought he'd get a whole suite all to himself and would be living it up in the air.
Until the cabin crew slid my TV to the side to reveal an opening through which we could also "stay in touch".
The two centre rear and forward facing seats can combine to become a family suite. Supplied/Kristine Tarbert
When there are four people, and both sides are opened, there is effectively a central 'dining table' you can sit at together if you want.
The opening was only small but it was enough to be able to hand things (including the child) back and forth. She definitely enjoyed 'climbing' over to dad.
At one point we were playing a game of catch with a small ball across the opening.
This might sound like things that would completely bug the people around you but that's the beauty of Q Suite. You close off the suite doors and you're in your own little cocoon.
Yes they could likely still hear her giggling (or her brief tantrum after delaying bedtime by three hours) but I assume everyone around us was much less disturbed by her antics than they would have been without walls up.
QSuite on Qatar Airways features the option to convert two seats into a double bed. Qatar Airways
The best thing about the two rear-facing seats is that basically they turn into a double bed once both chairs are laid flat.
Once she was asleep in her own bed, the only thing I noticed was that she was too high at top of the seat and the seatbelt was too low for her to keep on. I was definitely reluctant to shift her around while sleeping but luckily it was a relatively smooth flight and the seat belt sign didn't turn on.
The food
I did not have a bad meal while on board. No word of a lie.
Qatar Airways business class flights feature rotating, chef-curated dishes with regional influences (Middle Eastern, Chinese, Australian).
The dine-on-demand à la carte options include things like cured salmon, lamb osso bucco, Qatari Hamura, and even caviar service on select routes.
Last year, the airline also launched a new, Australian-focused Business Class menu developed with Chef Ross Lusted, available on flights from both Sydney and Melbourne.
The food was phenomenal. Supplied/Kristine Tarbert
Before each meal they made my "table" complete with white tablecloth, faux candle, bread basket and still or sparkling water.
I was expecting to share most of my dishes with my toddler (she's not quite big enough for her own three-course meal), so while the Osso Bucco for example sounded delicious, I mostly opted for the pasta dishes on the menu.
We both enjoyed the pappardelle pasta with creamy wild truffle mushroom sauce, cherry tomatoes, toasted parmesan and panko crumbs. Another dish with Orecchiette in creamy spinach and mushroom sauce, as well as a penne arrabbiata were other wins.
Oh, and always get desert. The rich chocolate bread and butter pudding with caramelised bananas, crème fraiche, maple syrup, and fresh berries went down a treat.
Even her toddler-friendly breakfast didn't disappoint - Kellogg's corn flakes and a fruit platter of her dreams - kiwi, blueberries, blackberries, pineapple, strawberries, rock melon and dragon fruit.
You can't beat fresh berries! Nine/Supplied
The service
I've already mentioned one example above, but I can't stress enough how amazing the crew were on every single flight.
They checked on us constantly, but also gave us space when I was clearly trying to get the little one to sleep.
They were even willing to play along when I had them tell my toddler that she couldn't watch anymore Bluey as the TVs were now turned off and it was TIME TO SLEEP!
Another time, she was asleep during the meal service, but a crew member took an order for her to set aside a pasta dish for when she woke up.
Many little things like that across the space of hours in the air really were the highlight of the journey.
The lounge
Our stopovers in Doha were marked by equally great service. We were lucky enough to experience the Al Maha Platinum Transit service, which sees a member of staff meet you at the door of the plane holding a sign with your names.
We even got a ride in a buggy to the transfer security gates before being escorted to the lounge. (We could have used the buggy again as the trek to the gate was a little further, but it must have been on another job.)
The lounge is a great place to wait out your layover. Supplied/Kristine Tarbert
The Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden has been recognised as the best airline lounge in the world by both Skytrax and the World Travel Awards multiple years running.
And the space certainly is impressive. Mostly as it is open and overlooking the huge hall featuring the lush greenery of The Orchard.
One side of the huge lounge you'll find à la carte dining, a sushi bar, and buffet, and on the other you can enjoy light foods/snacks, as well as a quiet zone.
Being right next to the garden was ideal for little one. She could wander through the trees. Oh, and there was a new art installation featuring animals. Another hit.
This was a better option than spending time in the kids play room which, despite offering a few play tables and rocking horses, was very closed in with no windows.
One more thing
While the Q Suite is incredible for family travel, it is important to note that not all Qatar aircraft have it. We experienced three different types of business class during our journey.
In the end, the A380 business class is the least convenient with a toddler and is the oldest product. We did experience faulty screens and damaged seats, but when the service is good, none of that really matters.
And this is where the story comes full circle. The cabin crew could have seen the teddy bear lying there on the floor, thought 'Oh well' and chucked him in the bin.
They didn't. And the smile on my little girl's face when she got him back was worth more than 5 stars to me.
The writer and her family travelled business (Q Suite) thanks to Qatar Airways.
