Inside Virgin Australia's new international flights on the 'World's Best Airline'

The thought of closing the door on your own suite in the sky is something many travellers dream of.

Qatar Airways QSuite makes that experience accessible to more passengers than ever before, by bringing something that has always been synonymous with first class to business.

And now, thanks to Virgin Australia's new international flights, in Virgin Australia's new international flights, more Aussies will get the chance to fly on not only the 'world's best business class', but also the 'world's best airline'.

Deals: Save up to 25% off once-in-a-lifetime bucket list cruise

Qatar Airways has just won the title of the World's Best Airline in the 2025 Skytrax Awards, known as the Oscars of the aviation world, a position they hold on to for a record-breaking ninth time.

Virgin Australia began a local partnership with Qatar Airways this month, connecting Aussie travellers to more than 170 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa via Qatar's global network.

Deals: How to get two nights for free at top Aussie holiday parks

View gallery

Inside the world's best first, business and premium economy class cabins

We were on board the inaugural Virgin Australia VA1 flight from Sydney to Doha, operated by Qatar Airways, and were able to experience the QSuite.

Here's what it was like.

The QSuite seat

Considered the 'world's best' offering in business class, the QSuite is indeed so much more than a seat.

As the name implies, the QSuites are your own room in the sky. While many traditional business seats offer wide screens and seats that turn into flat lay beds, the QSuite adds high partitions and a sliding door.

The privacy is unlike anything I've ever experienced on a plane. As a matter of fact, I changed into my QA-issued pyjama shirt in the comfort of my own seat (yes... yes I did).

But there was one surprising element I did not expect. The rear-facing seat.

Upon check-in, I was actually asked if I was OK with a rear-facing seat, something I had only ever seen on budget airlines overseas. Now, generally I don't travel well backwards, so I did ask for a forward one instead.

But once on board, I saw that in both the centre aisle and window rows, seats would alternate between facing the front of the plane and the back. Speaking to a few other passengers, they said other than during take off and landing, you really don't notice the difference.

All this privacy might seem like it's only great if you're travelling solo, but there is the ability to turn the centre aisle seats into spacious double beds for couples, or even 'family suites'.

The flight

The flight time from Sydney to Doha is just over 14 hours, but despite the fact that we took off in the late afternoon, I didn't want to get too much sleep as we were also landing in Doha late at night.

So I spent about half the journey enjoying the in-flight entertainment system, before I asked the crew to 'make' my bed.

The 'mattress' wasn't the best in terms of thickness, but I could still easily get comfortable thanks to the plushest plane blanket I've ever used, and ended up getting just under five hours of sleep.

One of the nifty features is the DND (Do Not Disturb) button. It illuminates your suite number in red so you won't be bothered by the crew - they do have a somewhat trickier job servicing passengers behind the suite doors, needing to either peek over or work out whether to slide the door open or not.

As a result, the flight had a very different atmosphere. It was a little eerie at one point, when I poked my head out into the aisle opening my door, and all the other suites were closed.

It also made for a slightly odd moment. You see, I am a short person so I can't do this, but sometimes when taller people would stand in the aisle they can peer over the partitions into your 'room' - which felt a little strange and did raise an etiquette question - is it appropriate to have a look at what your fellow passengers are up to?

Another impressive part about flying with Qatar on its fleet of 777 aircraft is the 'next level' WiFi. And the kicker --- it's for all passengers on board. And it is completely free and incredibly fast, powered by the Starlink satellite network.

The food

Qatar Airways has unveiled a new menu to feature on board the airline's flights from Australia to Doha with Virgin.

Ross Lusted, award-winning Aussie chef and owner of Woodcut, Sydney and Marmelo, Melbourne, has curated the in-flight dining experience available in first and business class.

As a main, business class passengers can enjoy lamb osso buco style, with heirloom carrots, parsley and lemon. And for dessert, a basque cheesecake with softened dry fruits, cinnamon, vanilla and walnuts.

All the meals were delicious. As an entree, I also had possibly the best pumpkin soup I've ever tasted.

Even on the connecting flight to France on board Qatar Airway's A380, the food options were ample. It was a morning flight from Doha and I ordered the fluffiest dark Belgium chocolate pancakes with berries that went down an absolute treat.

I also loved the anytime dining concept. If you want to go straight to sleep or order a lighter meal later in the flight you can do that. On the return trip I wasn't hungry at take off so requested my meal closer to landing which was really convenient.

Is QSuite the same as Business Class?

Qatar Airways' business class seats vary between aircraft. The most spacious and modern are on the Qsuite configurations on their Airbus A350 or Boeing 777 fleet.

While the QSuite itself was introduced some time ago, thanks to the new partnership with Virgin Australia, it is now available on flights departing Sydney for the first time.

The QSuite is still considered business class, but it is a business class that matches, if not exceeds, what many airlines offer in first class.

Though Qatar Airways other business offerings - including on the A380 - don't fall short either. You don't necessarily get the incredible personal space and privacy the QSuites offer, but you have something else that's quite exciting: The onboard bar and lounge.

In fact, after sitting for a few hours and running out of things to do to pass the time, it was incredibly enjoyable to sit down in the lounge and just have a chat.

Can I use Virgin points to upgrade on Qatar Airways?

If you book a flight on one of these new Virgin Australia flights between Australia and Doha, you can use your Velocity Points to apply for an upgrade to the comfort of Qsuites business class as of 1 July 2025.

All Velocity members – including Red and Silver – can upgrade from an Economy Flex fare into business class for around 69,000 Velocity Points. Velocity Gold and Platinum members can upgrade from the lower-priced Economy Choice fares for just under 100,000 Velocity Points.

Do Velocity members have access to Qatar Airways lounges?

In Australia, business class passengers and Velocity Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus frequent flyers, and the invitation-only Beyond program, will be able to access selected partner lounges.

In Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth those are the Air New Zealand lounges, and in Melbourne it's the independent Marhaba Lounge.

In Doha, Doha's Hamad International Airport business class passengers can visit one of two Al Mourjan Business Lounges - the original lounge and the recently-opened 'garden lounge' in the terminal's northern wing.

Velocity Platinum, Velocity Gold, and Virgin Australia Beyond members can enjoy one of Qatar Airways' three dedicated frequent flyer lounges at Doha, depending on their status:

• Platinum Lounge South
• Gold Lounge South
• Platinum & Gold Lounge North

Members of the paid Virgin Australia Lounge program, however, will not have complimentary access to any airport lounges for these flights.

Is it worth the upgrade?

The chance to enjoy a flight in business class is something many people dream of. And thanks to Virgin's new flights, more Aussies can access this incredible business class product. So the upgrade is definitely worth it.

But even without it, Qatar has won the title of the best airline in the world for an incredible nine years. So flying in any class is going to mean you're in for an exceptional experience.

The writer travelled as a guest of Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways.