Alli Talley

February 25, 2019

Flying the Q Suite LAX to Doha :: Believe the Hype

Alli Talley

February 25, 2019

If you’re an aviation junkie like us, chances are you’ve heard about Qatar Airways new QSuite. It’s revolutionized and challenged traditional business class seats, and has been named World’s Best Business Class by Skytrax. Well, folks, Qatar Airlines has just brought the QSuite to LAX - and we had the honor of going on their inaugural flight from Los Angeles to Doha! That’s right - little ol’ US! We’re still not sure how we even qualified for such an incredible and momentous occasion, but that’s besides the point. Our trip was amazing. The QSuite is amazing.

Here’s why:

DINING

It’s rare that we find airplane food worth writing about, but the meals we ate while flying in the QSuite were consistently amazing. (And considering we were inflight for 16 hours each way, we tried almost everything on the menu!) Qatar Airways has an on-demand a la carte menu, where you can order what you want, when you want it. You say the word and they’ll “set the table” with white linens, fancy plates and flatware, and even a sparkling candle! Sure, the table setting is impressive, but the real winner is the cuisine. Some of the highlights were:

Signature Arabic Mezze

It’s hummus, tabbouleh, and moutabel served with freshly toasted Arabic bread - and it’s absolutely heavenly. We were blown away by how fresh it is, and how flavorful each dip was. It was some of the smoothest, creamiest hummus we’ve ever had.

Steel-Cut Oats Served With Berries And Cream

Who knew oatmeal could be this delicious? We like to joke that you can judge a place based on the quality of their oatmeal, and if that’s the case, Qatar Airways gets five stars. It’s hearty and delicious and has the perfect amount of “sweet”.

Seared Halibut

The main courses that we were served in the QSuite would easily rival a popular restaurant in LA, both in presentation and taste! The Seared Halibut was one of our favorites, served with steamed pumpkins, saffron veloute, and roasted kipflers. The fish was cooked perfectly (how do they even DO that on a plane?!), and the flavors all paired wonderfully together.

DRINKS

A quick flip through the extensive wine and beverage menu, and we quickly realized we were in for a treat. From the welcome glass of sparkling “Atair” Brut Rose, to “Spier” an oaky and zesty South African Chardonnay, to Bobby’s favorite, the Old Fashioned (with Woodford Whiskey and Angostura bitters), everything Qatar Airways serves is premium.

SEATS (OR SHOULD WE SAY… DOUBLE BED?)

To most people, a 16 hour flight sounds a lot like hell. And we’ve been there. There’s nothing worse than being stuck in a cramped space for a significant amount of time. All you want to do is lay down, stretch out, snuggle up with a comfy pillow, and SLEEP. On the QSuite you can do just that, and it makes all the difference in the world.

Not only do the seats lay completely flat, but if you’re traveling with your significant other, they turn into a double bed. We’re serious. It’s amazing. Not only that, you can close the doors on either sides of your seat for total privacy. Turn on the “DND” (Do Not Disturb) button, grab your eye mask and earplugs, and you’ve got the dream airplane situation - literally!

AMENITIES

Cozy pajamas from The White Company, 21.5-inch entertainment monitors (with almost limitless entertainment options), and BRIC amenity kits stocked with Castello Monte Vibiano skincare products… the amenities in the QSuite are top notch. Even the restrooms are glitzy and clean - and surprisingly spacious!

STAFF

We can’t say enough about the Qatar Airways staff. From the warm greeting when we checked in, to calling us by name in-flight (and even giving us recommendations and advice on our stay in Qatar), they truly went above and beyond in every way. We felt special. We felt valued. We felt like family. It’s not often you can say that about an airline.

There’s a reason why Qatar Airways continues to lead the way as one of the best airlines in the business, and we get it now. They understand their customers, and they aim to please. We saw this firsthand in the QSuite, and we can’t wait to see how they continue to innovate and perfect their in-flight experiences. They’re killing it already!

If you want to fly in the QSuite, but are hesitant due to the price, there are ways to cut the cost.

Alli Talley

May 7, 2018

Airlines

New Levels of Comfort on LATAM Airlines

Alli Talley

May 7, 2018

Airlines

We’ve become sticklers when it comes to flying. With how many bad experiences we’ve had and horror stories we’ve heard, we like to stick to the airlines that we know. It’s very rare that we fly anything new, and when we do, it’s usually because the deal was too good to pass up.

As we began planning our trip to Argentina and Chile, we started researching airlines and came across LATAM Airlines. It appeared to be the trusted airline for South America, and when it came to the reviews, people seemed to love it! So we thought, why not… let’s give LATAM airlines a go. And boy, are we glad we did!

Alli Talley

September 1, 2015

Airlines, Europe

Flying in Luxury Aboard Lufthansa Business Class

Alli Talley

September 1, 2015

Airlines, Europe

This summer we had the incredible opportunity to partner with Lufthansa USA on a trip from Los Angeles, California to Copenhagen, Denmark. As frequent flyers (and airplane enthusiasts!), we were so excited to experience all things Lufthansa - from their chic airport lounges to their luxurious business and premium economy seats!

Let's start off by saying that this experience ruined us. We're used to waiting in long lines, dealing with big crowds, and all the frustrations that come with air travel. This trip, however, was FLAWLESS. (Is that even possible?!) Our check in process was quick and easy. The Lufthansa staff was friendly and over accommodating. And the flight itself was an absolute dream! But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's start at the beginning...

Our journey began at LAX where we had access to the Star Alliance Lounge. This lounge is perched high above the scrambling travelers in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Within a matter of minutes we were sipping champagne, snacking on cheese and crackers, and relaxing in their cozy seats. Heaven exists - in the airport!! All too soon it was time to board, and as hard as it was to leave the lounge, we were anxious to see the plane!

There is nothing more exciting than boarding an airplane when you are embarking on a new adventure. ESPECIALLY when you are loading onto a gigantic A-380 and are headed towards business class! We arrived at our seats and could not contain our excitement. As we "oo-ed and ahh-ed" over the amenity kits and tinkered with all the seat functions, our flight attendant greeted us with a welcome drink. Is this a dream?! We both agreed that it was going to be hard to sleep on this flight because we wanted to soak it ALL in.

Pretending to sleep in this glorious fully flat seat!

During the flight, Lufthansa treats their guests to complementary Bose Noise-Canceling headphones, as well as an entertainment center with tons of options. Having never flown with noise-canceling headphones, we had no idea what we had been missing. It makes such a difference! We might have to pick up a couple pairs of these headphones when we go home.

Dining in Lufthansa's Business Class was an experience all to itself. Instead of coming in small, plastic packaged trays, the food was delivered on pristine fine china, making us feel as though we were dining in a five star restaurant. No detail went unnoticed, as even the glasses, flatware, and salt & pepper shakers were exquisite! As for the food, it definitely did not seem like we were on an airplane. Everything was high quality and presented beautifully.

While all of the indulgent amenities on the flight were amazing, the REAL highlight for both of us was our seats. With a simple touch of a button, we could automatically convert our seats into a fully flat BED. That's right, a bed. Those of you that often fly long hauls can understand what a true commodity this is! We had fun experimenting with the intuitive seat controls, as we were able to stretch our legs as much as we needed in our spacious, cozy seats.

The in-flight entertainment selection seemed endless. Every new release we'd been wanting to see was there, including several of our favorite TV shows, documentaries, and classic films. We found ourselves plotting out our flight entertainment schedule, making sure we had enough time to watch everything on our list! Forget sleeping - there's too much to see! This truly was a flight that we didn't want to end.

Lufthansa Business Class Lounge, Frankfurt

After the flight of our dreams, we had a layover in Frankfurt before heading to Copenhagen, Denmark. There we had time to enjoy Lufthansa’s Business Class Lounge... Because obviously we are now obsessed with lounges. This lounge was really big, and featured a variety of seating areas including lounge chairs, bar stools, relaxation rooms, and a business center. There was a large selection of reading material, plenty of places to charge your devices, and various areas with TVs and comfy couches. It also had a buffet area that with both hot and cold food, and all the drinks your heart could desire. They even had a big fridge filled with ice cream! Once again, we found heaven in the airport! We both stocked up on some snacks and headed to the relaxation room, there we took naps until it was time to board our next plane (since we refused to waste any time sleeping on our business class flight). One detail we appreciated was that there were monitors displaying how long it would take for us to walk to our gate. So we could squeeze in EVERY last minute.

Over the next couple weeks we took a few short flights around Europe, and eventually ended up back in Frankfurt for our flight home. While our flight back to LA was not quite the luxury of business class, we were still very impressed by Lufthansa’s Premium Economy seats. The seats were wider, they have much more leg room along with a foot rest, and your seat once again comes with an amazing amenity kit. The little amenities like a toothbrush, eye mask, and ear plugs can be a lifesaver on a long-haul flight. Especially when there are crying children on board! The food was delicious, we got some rest, and before we were ready to say goodbye we touched down in Los Angeles.

Overall, we had an amazing experience with Lufthansa, both in the airport and in the skies. Their lounges provided delicious food and drinks, a place to relax and unwind, and both Business and Premium Economy Classes exceeded our expectations. Thank you, Lufthansa, for cultivating an unprecedented travel experience!