Qatar to Launch Qsuite to Chicago as of April 1, 2018
Qatar Airways will begin flying its Qsuite business-class product to Chicago (ORD) beginning later this year. The carrier quietly made a change in its seat map showing that it's going to launch its new business-class product, which is widely considered to be the best in the sky, between Doha (DOH) and ORD beginning April 1, 2018, on one of its Boeing 777-300ERs.
As One Mile at a Time reports, the route will be the longest operated by a product featuring Qsuite — coming in at 7,133 miles. Beginning April 1, 2018, the Qsuite-equipped 777-300ER will operate on the following schedule:
- QR725 Doha (DOH) 8:10am Departure ⇒ Chicago (ORD) 2:55pm Arrival
- QR726 Chicago (ORD) 6:50pm Departure ⇒ Doha (DOH) 4:10pm (+1) Arrival
Qatar didn't officially make this announcement, however it did change the seat map on its ORD-bound aircraft beginning April 1. Quietly changing seat maps is also how the carrier announced it would launch Qsuite to Washington, DC (IAD), so it's entirely possible that this Qsuite route will launch. In addition, Qsuite stops showing up on the route following May 31, 2018, but it's possible that's just because Qatar hasn't built out its schedule any further yet.
With the addition of Chicago (ORD), Qatar now offers Qsuite on three US routes — New York (JFK), Washington, DC (IAD) and Chicago (ORD). In addition, the carrier also flies Qsuite on its routes to London (LHR), Paris (CDG) and Seoul (ICN).
Not only do the carrier's 777-300ER aircraft offer Qsuite, but Qatar's latest A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft also feature the seat. For now, Qatar is flying its new Qsuite-equipped A350-1000 to London (LHR). But, it soon plans to launch the aircraft on routes to the "East Coast."
At each seat, Qsuite passengers get their own sliding door for privacy, fine dining options, access to a premier lounge in Doha, top-notch amenities and the option to turn the center two seats into a "honeymoon seat" bed. When TPG Editor-at-Large Zach Honig tried out the product, he was blown away.
As for this new Qsuite route to Chicago (ORD), there seems to be some decent award availability on the Doha-bound leg. Check out this post for complete details on how to search and book Qsuite with miles. Your best bet is to use AAdvantage miles for a one-way business-class ticket on the route, which will cost you 70,000 miles. If you're looking to book with AAdvantage miles, you'll need to call AA to do so.
This is good news for travelers based in the Chicago area who are looking to test out Qsuite. Rather than having to get to New York or Washington, DC, to try it out, there will soon be an option right at ORD — at least temporarily. Of course, there is the chance that this is an error on Qatar's part and the Qsuite-equipped 777-300ER wasn't supposed to appear on this route. However, the roll-out for the product has been smooth up until this date, so it's entirely possible that Qatar does intend to have its Qsuite on the route.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.