Qatar Airways First Class is offered only on its Airbus A380. Each of the airline’s eight A380s has just eight First Class suites on the upper deck, arranged 1-2-1, with lie-flat beds, à la carte dining and access to an onboard bar. Before the flight, passengers can use the Al Safwa First Lounge at Hamad International Airport in Doha.
Because the cabin is so small and flies on only a handful of routes, Qatar Airways First Class A380 seats are among the hardest premium seats to book. This overview, updated for 2026, explains the cabin, the lounge, the food and how it compares with the airline’s Qsuite business class. Seat details below are taken from travel guides and fleet data; for fares and current routes, check Qatar Airways directly.
Qatar Airways A380 at a glance
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| A380s in the fleet | 8 |
| First Class seats per aircraft | 8 (two rows, 1-2-1) |
| Business Class seats | 48 |
| Economy seats | 461 |
| Total seats | 517 |
| First Class lounge in Doha | Al Safwa First Lounge |
1. Where the A380 flies
Qatar Airways has used the A380 on long, busy routes. Recent travel guides list London, Paris, Sydney and Bangkok, though the airline changes aircraft on routes from season to season. The A380 does not normally fly to India, so Indian travellers who want to try the cabin usually connect in Doha.
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The aircraft was grounded during the pandemic, when Qatar Airways said it would retire the type early. It later returned to service when the airline needed extra capacity, and it remains in use in 2026.
2. The Al Safwa First Lounge
First Class passengers departing from or connecting in Doha can use the Al Safwa First Lounge at Hamad International Airport. It has à la carte dining, a bar, quiet rooms and spa facilities. Guides note that private rooms can be booked for rest during long layovers.
This is a separate, more exclusive space than the Al Mourjan Business Lounge used by business class passengers.
3. The First Class seat
The eight seats sit in two rows at the front of the upper deck. According to Prince of Travel, each seat has about 83 inches of pitch and 23 inches of width, a lie-flat bed, a privacy partition and an ottoman where a companion can sit for a shared meal.
Window seats suit solo travellers who want privacy. The middle pairs work for couples. Turndown service with a mattress pad, duvet and pillows is part of the experience, and two large First Class washrooms serve the cabin.
4. Food and drink
Meals are served on demand rather than at set times. The menu mixes Arabic and international dishes, and caviar service, champagne and Arabic coffee with dates are part of the First Class offering, according to traveller reviews.
Passengers can choose when to eat, so many sleep first and dine later on overnight flights. Menus change by route and season.
5. The onboard bar
The upper deck of the A380 has a lounge area with a curved bar, shared by First and Business Class passengers. It is a place to stretch, have a drink or a snack and talk with fellow travellers, which is rare on most aircraft.
6. Entertainment and connectivity
Each seat has a large personal screen with Qatar Airways’ Oryx One entertainment system, which offers films, TV series and music. Noise-cancelling headphones are provided in First Class. Wi-Fi is offered on many Qatar Airways flights, but speed and pricing vary, so check before you fly.
7. Business and Economy on the A380
The 48 Business Class seats on the upper deck are lie-flat, but they are an older design than Qsuite, the airline’s acclaimed business class with closing doors. The A380 does not have Qsuite.
Economy on the A380 is a standard cabin, mostly on the lower deck. Economy seats recline but do not turn into beds. The earlier version of this article said they did, which was wrong.
First Class vs Qsuite business class
| Feature | A380 First Class | Qsuite Business |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft | A380 only | Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 (most) |
| Seats per plane | 8 | Varies |
| Doors on seats | No | Yes |
| Lounge in Doha | Al Safwa First | Al Mourjan Business |
| Onboard bar | Yes | No |
Many reviewers rate Qsuite as one of the best business class seats in the world, and some prefer its privacy to the open A380 First suites. First Class wins on space, service and the ground experience.
Tips for booking
- Check which aircraft is assigned to your flight before paying for First Class.
- Award seats through Qatar’s Privilege Club or partner programmes are limited, so search early.
- Prices vary widely by route and season, so compare fares directly on the Qatar Airways website.
For more on travel planning, visit our travel section and read our lifestyle features.
Frequently asked questions
Does Qatar Airways have First Class?
Yes, but only on its Airbus A380, which has eight First Class seats. Its other long-haul aircraft offer Business Class, mostly the Qsuite product.
How many First Class seats are on the Qatar Airways A380?
Eight, in two rows of four in a 1-2-1 layout on the upper deck.
Which routes have Qatar Airways First Class?
Recent guides list London, Paris, Sydney and Bangkok, but the airline changes routes by season. Check the schedule before booking.
Is Qatar Airways First Class better than Qsuite?
First Class offers more space, a premium lounge and an onboard bar. Qsuite offers closing doors and wider availability.
Sources: Wikipedia: Qatar Airways fleet, Prince of Travel: Qatar Airways First Class, Qatar Airways.
