Qatar Airways B787 Dreamliner Business Class Brussels to Doha (with Youtube clip)
Mar 3, 2017, 6:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Heart of Europe
Programs: SPG Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum Executive, LH Frequent Flyer
Posts: 240
Qatar Airways B787 Dreamliner Business Class Brussels to Doha (with Youtube clip)
On February 4, 2017, I flew Business Class in a Boeing 787-8 (Dreamliner) of Qatar Airways (QA) from Brussels International Airport (BRU) to Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Qatar. The flight was part of a trip to the Maldibes. IMHO, QA’s B787 planes offer one of the best Business Class products in the world: the design of the cabin is ultrastylish, the flatbed seats are very comfortable, inflight entertainment is topnotch (except for the expensive WiFi) and the (presentation and taste of) meals are restaurant quality.
I made a Youtube clip with my impressions on board, which you can watch here:
- Trip: BRU-DOH
- Airline: Qatar Airways (QA)
- Aircraft type: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
- Aircraft registration number: A7-BCP (delivered in 2014)
- Flight Number: QR196
- Date: February 4, 2017
- On time departure: yes (9 am)
- On time arrival: yes (5 am)
- Miles: 3042
- Flight time: 6 hours
- Seat: 4K
- Class: Business Class (D)
1. COST OF MY TICKET
This flight was part of a return trip from Brussels to the Maldives via Doha. I booked the Business Class seat (and one for my travel companion) for 80,000 AAdvantage miles + $89 USD for airport taxes. AAdvantage is the loyalty program of American Airlines, which is a oneworld partner of QA, making it possible for passengers to collect and spend miles on both airlines. Although the program devaluated last year, AAdvantage is still my favorite airline loyalty program, because of the numerous promotions (which earn you shiploads of miles) and the interesting airline partners beyond the oneworld alliance (such as Fiji Airways, Tahiti Nui, and – especially – Etihad Airways). 80,000 miles for a flight from Europe to the Maldives is still below the mileage threshold required by other loyalty programs, although it’s considerably more than the 60,000 miles one needed before the AAdvantage devaluation kicked in.
2. BRITISH AIRWAYS LOUNGE AT BRUSSELS AIRPORT
QA does not have its own lounge at Brussels Airport. Its Business Class passengers have access to the lounge of its oneworld partner, British Airways. The latter is one of the best lounges at Brussels Airport, which is quite remarkable since British Airways only has a handful of daily flights connecting Brussels with London. The layout of the lounge is very simple: it’s a fairly large, rectangular space with the reception area at its centre. Several cozy sitting areas spread out along both sides of the reception, with some stained glass screens adding an extra level of privacy. One side of the lounge features a food station (with a continental breakfast on offer at 7 am in the morning), while the other side has a bar (with gorgeous chandelier) and self-service cafe. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretch along the lounge’s entire length, offering great views of the tarmac (but not of the runway itself). The design of the lounge is similar to the one you find in all British Airways lounges all over the world, with the presence of several colourful throne chairs.
3. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN
The QA B787 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 cabin, which has to be one of the most beautifully designed airplane cabins of our time. A combination of white, pink and red tones give the cabin a sexy, ultra-chic and overall very sleek look. Entering the plane is quite remarkable as QA choose for an open design (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).
The Business Class cabin features a herringbone 1–2–1 configuration, similar like the one you find on American Airlines 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). There ‘s also a significant amount of privacy: 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.
4. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (& WHAT SEAT TO CHOOSE)
For this particular flight, I was seated in 4K, a window seat.
QA’s Business Class on the Dreamliner is a very comfortable one an among the best in the skies. The seat 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. The 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 also 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 QA’s 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 QA’s B787-9? Click here for a seat map.
- I suggest to avoid the ‘window’ seats in row 5, since they do not have a window.
5. AMENITIES
A light blanket and thick pillow was placed on the seat upon boarding. Before takeoff, the crew also handed out stylish Giorgio Armany amenity kits. The men's kit contained Acqua di Gio fragrance, after shave balm, eyeshades, socks, earplugs, lip balm, and a hairbrush.
6. MEALS
Upon boarding, I was offered a choice of hot or cold towel, and a glass of Champagne, orange juice, water, or QA’s signature drank, lemon mint. I choose the latter and IMHO, this is the best welcome drink offered by any airline in the world.
One of the areas where QA excels with its Business Class product is the quality and presentation of the food. This was short flight of only 6 hours, and only one meal service – breakfast – was offered (I would have preferred a lunch though). You could also order some light snacks later in the flight if you got hungry again. I choose the following items from the menu:
- Coconut and banana smoothie, with oat crunch.
- Cured salmon with caper berries and egg, cream cheese with chives.
- French toast with mixed berry and coulis, vanilla mascarpone cheese and honey.
Before landing, I ordered some more food from the menu:
- Smoked chicken, sun blushed tomato, and crouton salad, with parmesan cheese and mustard dressing
- Fresh fruit
I made a Youtube clip with my impressions on board, which you can watch here:
- Trip: BRU-DOH
- Airline: Qatar Airways (QA)
- Aircraft type: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
- Aircraft registration number: A7-BCP (delivered in 2014)
- Flight Number: QR196
- Date: February 4, 2017
- On time departure: yes (9 am)
- On time arrival: yes (5 am)
- Miles: 3042
- Flight time: 6 hours
- Seat: 4K
- Class: Business Class (D)
1. COST OF MY TICKET
This flight was part of a return trip from Brussels to the Maldives via Doha. I booked the Business Class seat (and one for my travel companion) for 80,000 AAdvantage miles + $89 USD for airport taxes. AAdvantage is the loyalty program of American Airlines, which is a oneworld partner of QA, making it possible for passengers to collect and spend miles on both airlines. Although the program devaluated last year, AAdvantage is still my favorite airline loyalty program, because of the numerous promotions (which earn you shiploads of miles) and the interesting airline partners beyond the oneworld alliance (such as Fiji Airways, Tahiti Nui, and – especially – Etihad Airways). 80,000 miles for a flight from Europe to the Maldives is still below the mileage threshold required by other loyalty programs, although it’s considerably more than the 60,000 miles one needed before the AAdvantage devaluation kicked in.
2. BRITISH AIRWAYS LOUNGE AT BRUSSELS AIRPORT
QA does not have its own lounge at Brussels Airport. Its Business Class passengers have access to the lounge of its oneworld partner, British Airways. The latter is one of the best lounges at Brussels Airport, which is quite remarkable since British Airways only has a handful of daily flights connecting Brussels with London. The layout of the lounge is very simple: it’s a fairly large, rectangular space with the reception area at its centre. Several cozy sitting areas spread out along both sides of the reception, with some stained glass screens adding an extra level of privacy. One side of the lounge features a food station (with a continental breakfast on offer at 7 am in the morning), while the other side has a bar (with gorgeous chandelier) and self-service cafe. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretch along the lounge’s entire length, offering great views of the tarmac (but not of the runway itself). The design of the lounge is similar to the one you find in all British Airways lounges all over the world, with the presence of several colourful throne chairs.
3. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN
The QA B787 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 cabin, which has to be one of the most beautifully designed airplane cabins of our time. A combination of white, pink and red tones give the cabin a sexy, ultra-chic and overall very sleek look. Entering the plane is quite remarkable as QA choose for an open design (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).
The Business Class cabin features a herringbone 1–2–1 configuration, similar like the one you find on American Airlines 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). There ‘s also a significant amount of privacy: 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.
4. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (& WHAT SEAT TO CHOOSE)
For this particular flight, I was seated in 4K, a window seat.
QA’s Business Class on the Dreamliner is a very comfortable one an among the best in the skies. The seat 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. The 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 also 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 QA’s 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 QA’s B787-9? Click here for a seat map.
- I suggest to avoid the ‘window’ seats in row 5, since they do not have a window.
5. AMENITIES
A light blanket and thick pillow was placed on the seat upon boarding. Before takeoff, the crew also handed out stylish Giorgio Armany amenity kits. The men's kit contained Acqua di Gio fragrance, after shave balm, eyeshades, socks, earplugs, lip balm, and a hairbrush.
6. MEALS
Upon boarding, I was offered a choice of hot or cold towel, and a glass of Champagne, orange juice, water, or QA’s signature drank, lemon mint. I choose the latter and IMHO, this is the best welcome drink offered by any airline in the world.
One of the areas where QA excels with its Business Class product is the quality and presentation of the food. This was short flight of only 6 hours, and only one meal service – breakfast – was offered (I would have preferred a lunch though). You could also order some light snacks later in the flight if you got hungry again. I choose the following items from the menu:
- Coconut and banana smoothie, with oat crunch.
- Cured salmon with caper berries and egg, cream cheese with chives.
- French toast with mixed berry and coulis, vanilla mascarpone cheese and honey.
Before landing, I ordered some more food from the menu:
- Smoked chicken, sun blushed tomato, and crouton salad, with parmesan cheese and mustard dressing
- Fresh fruit
Mar 4, 2017, 5:17 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Heart of Europe
Programs: SPG Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum Executive, LH Frequent Flyer
Posts: 240
