Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner Business Class (Brussels to Doha)

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

I recently enjoyed a wonderful holiday in the Maldives. During my trip, I did not stay at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani – my favorite resorts in the Maldives (I am going back though in 2024) – but I tried out some new, ultra-luxurious and fabulous resorts. Read my trip reports here:

• Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner Business Class from Brussels to Doha (today)
• Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Business Class from Doha to the Maldives
• Review: British Airways Boeing 777 Business Class (new suite) from London to Male
• Review: Joali Being
• Review: InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
• Review: Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island
• Review: Alila Kothaifaru Maldives
• Review: Edelweiss Air Airbus A340 Business Class from Male to Zurich

Today: Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner Business Class from Brussels to Doha

Last February, I traveled with friends to the Maldives, but the outbound flight did not go as planned. We were all supposed to meet in London Heathrow and fly from there directly with British Airways to Male, but unfortunately, my friends stranded in Brussels as British Airways cancelled the Brussels to London leg of their itinerary. They were offered a new flight 3 days (!!!) later due to an issue with availability and the staff at Brussels airport was far from helpful. My friends noticed that there was still online availability with Qatar Airways (a British Airways One World partner) on the same day, so they called the British Airways help center in London and were eventually rebooked without extra cost on Qatar Airways. It’s a shame that British Airways never suggested this solution in the first place (the rebooking was only offered after my friends told the British Airways agents about this possibility). In the end, my friends enjoyed the hospitality of Qatar Airways and they arrived without further delay in the Maldives. I asked them to take some videos and photos of their flights with Qatar Airways, and to write a trip report about their experience.

Have you ever flown with Qatar Airways? If so, what is your experience? Leave a comment.

• Trip: Brussels (BRU) to Doha (DOH)
• Airline: Qatar Airways
• Aircraft type: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
• Aircraft registration number: A7-BCI (built in 2014)
• On time departure: Yes (1:05 pm)
• On time arrival: Yes (10 pm)
• Miles: 3040 mi (4890km)
• Flight time: 6 hours
• Seat: 3F
• Class: Business Class

In this review (more information & photos below the YouTube video):

1. Cost of the ticket
2. Business Class cabin
3. Business Class seat (+ best & worst seats)
4. Amenitity kit
5. Meals
6. Entertainment
7. Onboard internet
8. Other inflight experiences
9. Verdict (score)

1. COST OF THE TICKET

The cost of the Business Class ticket (Brussels- London-Maldives) was 42,500 AAdvantage miles + $376 USD for airport taxes. AAdvantage is the loyalty program of American Airlines, which is a oneworld partner of British Airways and Qatar Airways, making it possible for passengers to collect and spend miles on all three airlines.

2. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN

Qatar Airways’ B787-8 Dreamliner features 22 fully flat-bed seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class.

All 22 Business Class seats are located in one single, gorgeous looking cabin. A combination of white, pink and red tones give the cabin a sexy, ultra-chic and overall very sleek look. Boarding the plane is quite unique as Qatar Airways choose for an open design with a direct entry into the Business Class cabin (contrary to the galleys that are the entryways in planes of most other airline companies). The moment you step into the Dreamliner via the Business Class cabin door, you are struck by a feeling of space, comfort and luxury. There’s a bar with a shiny table and lunar shaped light on one side of the entryway, and an equally shiny library on the other side. Most seats (20 in total) are located in front of the bar, spread over 5 rows. Behind the library, there are two extra middle seats, located in their own private cocoon, which are a perfect choice for couples or friends traveling together (although they don’t come with any view). A vaulted ceiling stretches the length of the Business Class cabin and recessed overhead bins provide a feeling of spaciousness.

The Business Class cabin features a herringbone 1–2–1 configuration, similar like the one you find on Air France and Cathay Pacific to name a few. This is my favorite Business Class layout as each seats faces forward and each passenger is assured of direct aisle access (no jumping over people’s feet here). The one issue that Qatar Airways’ B787-8 Business Class layout suffers from is the lack of privacy since the seat shells are quite low and there is no sliding door. That said,  the Business Class seats on the sides are angled toward the large windows while the seats in the middle are angled towards each other – with middle seats placed a little more upfront than the side seats –  so your fellow passengers don’t directly look into your seat.

3. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)

Qatar Airways’ Business Class seat on the B787-8 Dreamliner has a pitch of 50 inches (127 cm) and a width of 22 inches (56 cm). The seat is angled towards the windows (for window seats) or the plane’s center line (for middle seats). In front of each seat is a 17-inch (43 cm) Android TV (more on that below), with a footrest hidden in the compartment below the entertainment screen. Larger items such as your carry-on bags can be stored under the footrest. A large, wood-trimmed and shiny tray table is located below the TV screen and is released by pulling it towards you, after which you can fold it out.

Besides the seat is a large shelf, which provides space for magazines, the safety card, and menu, and which can be used as an extra table to put your laptop (or other belongings) on when the dining service starts. On that side of the seat, you also find a large storage compartment, a reading light, the remote control for the inflight entertainment system, an electronic touchpad control (to dim or brighten the windows), and the controls to adjust the seat configuration, ranging from the upright takeoff position to a flat-bed. The other side of the seat features a rather robust armrest which holds a storage cabinet with a bottle of water and the noise-cancelling headphones.

At the touch of a button, the seat converts into a generous 80-inch (203 cm) long, 30-inch (76 cm) wide flat-bed. The bed is wider than the seat itself (30 inches or 76 cm) as the armrest disappears in the flat-bed position. One disadvantage of the flat-bed is that your legs and feet rest on the ottoman below the fixed table and entertainment screen, so they may hit the table as you move position during your sleep.

What are the best Business Class seats on Qatar Airways’ B787-8?

• The window seats in row 1 to 4 are the best for solo travelers.
• Those traveling with a companion will prefer the middle seats, especially those in row 6, since these two seats are located in their own little private space between the two lavatories.

What are the worst Business Class seats on Qatar Airways’ B787-8?

• I suggest to avoid the ‘window’ seats in row 5, since they do not have a window.

For a seat plan of Qatar Airways’ Boeing 787-8, click here.

4. AMENITY KIT

Qatar Airways offers an amenity kit to Business Class passengers on intercontinental flights. Men get a small messenger, sling bag while women receive a purse. The amenity kit contains specially selected Diptyque products including lip balm, body lotion, face cream, and ‘Eau Rose’ Eau de Toilette.

5. MEALS

One of the areas where Qatar Airways excels with its Business Class product is the quality and presentation of the food. The carrier offers dine-on-demand service in its Business Class cabins: you can dine at any time of your choosing and order whatever you want from the menu. The menu and extensive wine lists are made out of chic glossy paper.

On this six-hour flight, one lunch was offered, but you could order more food from the menu in case you got hungry again. I choose the following selection from the lunch menu:

• Aperitif: glass of Champagne with an amuse bouche (marinated prawn in tomato dip)
• Starter: classic Arab mezze with humus, muhammara, and tabouleh
• Main course: Saloona giant prawns with saffron infused rice
• Selection of international cheese, served with grainex, lavosh, and assortment of accompaniments
• Dessert: FIFA World Cup Chocolate (milk chocolate, passion fruit, hazelnut crumble, and orange blossom cream)

Each of the dishes was delicious. And not only was the food excellent, it was also very tastefully presented (I loved the quality dishware).

6. ENTERTAINMENT

Called ‘Oryx One’, Qatar Airways’ inflight entertainment system allows you to choose up to 3000 (!!!) entertainment options, with a wide selection of movies, series, TV programs, music, games and reads. You can select your entertainment selection by either directly touching the HD screen or with a wired remote controller which has its own small screen. This allows you to watch a movie or TV show on the main screen while you can keep track of the flight’s progress on the wired controller. Both the screen itself and the handheld remote are incredibly responsive. 

7. ONBOARD INTERNET

This Qatar Airways’ B787-8 was equipped with in-flight WiFi, but the internet was considerably worse (slower, more expensive, and restricted in terms of data usage) compared to the “super WiFi” offered on the carrier’s A350, Boeing 777 and Boeniog 787-9/10 aircraft. The following plans were available:

• Messenger: Free one hour of messaging (excluding photos and videos)
• Starter: Up to 30 MB for $5
• Price: Up to 100 MB for $10
• Ultimate: Up to 200 MB for $20

8. OTHER INFLIGHT EXPERIENCES

# CREW: the young Qatar Airways cabin crew members did a great job and they were all very friendly and helpful. Something I like (and only experience with Middle East and Asian carriers) is that they present themselves individually before take-off, and also thank you in person for choosing Qatar Airways before landing. It makes you feel very special and welcome.

# LAVATORY: The Business Class cabin features two lavatories near the entryway. Both of them come with a window and were kept very clean during the flight.

9. MY VERDICT

• Cabin design: 9/10
• Privacy: 5/10
• Seat comfort (upright): 8/10
• Seat comfort (bed position): 8/10
• Food (quality): 8/10
• Food (quantity): 9/10
• Inflight entertainment : 9/10
• WiFi: 6/10
• Service: 9/10
• Overall experience: good: 8/10

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