A Five Star Journey Through Japan: Qatar Airways and Japan Airlines First Class
Oct 13, 2018, 9:22 am
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,348
DOH-VCE
With a predictable 45-60 minute wait for a shower and a relatively short connection time, I opted to freshen up in one of the accessible changing rooms within the washrooms. As he unlocked the door for me, the washroom attendant was pretty emphatic that this was for changing only, but with a sink available it was pretty easy to shave between a change of clothes. QR really do need to re-think the number of shower suites they offer at the Al Mourjan lounge.
Gate B10 was set up with a dedicated priority lane both at the boarding pass check at the entrance to the gate room, and to get through the doors to the dual airbridges. Business Class boarded to Door 1L, where we were welcomed on board and escorted to our seats on A7-AED, a 13-year-old A330-300.
QR’s 13-strong fleet of A330-300 aircraft are configured with a single Business Class cabin comprising of five rows of B/E Diamond seats in a 2-2-2 configuration between Doors 1 and 2. The B/E Diamond seat is the higher density version of the Super Diamond product found on QR’s A350, A380 and 787 – but is nowhere near as good. Putting aside the lack of direct aisle access for window seats and associated privacy concerns, storage is severely lacking, and the footrest area is notably constrained by the shell of the seat in front in any row other than the first.
Unlike American Airlines on their A321 transcontinental fleet in Flagship Business, QR have not specified the small ledge/shelf below the IFE screen, meaning storage is limited to a cumbersome array of narrow ledges to the sides of the seat.
As with the footrest, not all seats are created equal in this configuration; window seats have a larger side ledge than aisle seats. The literature pockets are awkwardly placed at shoulder height. One of the few redeeming features of the A330-300, and in contrast to the A330-200 fleet, are the individual air vents in the overhead panel. Reading lights at this level are complemented by adjustable lights within the central divider.
The usual large QR pillow and a rolled Qsuite blanket were waiting for me on arrival at 2K, with a bottle of Evian water and headphones to the side of the seat. The Bric’s amenity kit was sitting on the divider between the pair of seats; its contents are passable, but not overly interesting.
Our South African captain announced a cruising altitude of 34,000ft for the 5h29 flight to Italy. One day I’m going to vary my choice of Qatar Airways welcome drink, but this morning wasn’t this day, and so the friendly crew delivered my mint and lime along with a hot towel, the menu, wine list and the offer of a newspaper.
Orders for breakfast were taken before an on-time pushback, with the CSD also doing the rounds to welcome each passenger. After the relative quiet of the A350, the noise of the A330’s engines was pretty apparent as we taxied out for a takeoff from Runway 34L. Another difference to the A350 is the lack of exterior cameras on the A330, although I’m perfectly happy just looking out of the window during a flight.
As breakfast service began, I fired up the IFE to watch the spectacularly poor Geostorm. The reflectivity of the screen meant that it was at times hard to see what was going on; even the intermittent stops and starts from the buggy system couldn’t distract from the low-quality production values. The adjacent aisle seat’s IFE screen is pretty visible from the window seat, which would be less than ideal if trying to rest or when flying during a night flight where a dark cabin is preferred. QR’s A330-300 fleet is not wifi equipped.
It is, of course, never too early for champagne, and so although it was only around 09:30 Doha time, I opted to start breakfast with a glass of Pommery Brut Royal. The somewhat nervous but pleasant cabin crew member brought this with a dish of warm nuts, a nice gesture that I’m sure wouldn’t normally be part of the breakfast service.
It was clear at this point that this flight was catered with the new tableware gradually (at the time) being rolled out across Business and First Class sectors. This was confirmed with the arrival of the platter of seasonal cut fruits; the new plate was complemented by a red water glass, metal bread basket and new, rather smart, salt and pepper grinders.
Greek yogurt, raspberry compote and toasted granola with nuts was next up, before my main course choice of steel-cut oats served with berries and cream. This was maybe a little too sweet for my taste for breakfast, but I was keen to try this dish that often features on QR’s breakfast menus. Breakfast concluded with a cappuccino (in a new-style mug) and a hot towel.
In what is quite an unusual configuration for an A330, the forward washrooms feature windows and were, predictably, totally spotless. It seemed the starboard washroom hadn’t been stocked with cups which was slightly annoying.
Mid-way through the flight I ordered a Ceylon spice chai tea, which was served on a new oval plate with biscuits. It would be nice to see QR offering premium plated biscuits rather than packaged, although I wasn’t actually hungry at the time and so packaged does reduce food waste.
For the light meal to conclude the flight I opted for afternoon tea which comprised of ‘fresh’ finger sandwiches, warm scones, clotted cream and delicate pastries. This was overall an excellent meal and was nicely presented, although the sandwiches were slightly stale (a predictable result of storage for several hours at altitude). I’m also pretty sure that the sandwiches should not have been plated with their wrapper still on. A final hot towel was brought around along with chocolates to conclude service on this pleasant flight.
We arrived into a bright Venice on time, parking next to a Delta 767 and disembarking via the single airbridge from Door 1L.
With automated immigration for EU residents (long may that continue!), we were quickly in the baggage reclaim hall where our two bags were within the first four on the belt.
Despite variations in both their hard and soft product, Qatar Airways offer a generally consistent Business Class experience that, in attention to detail at least, is no doubt more closely aligned to the international first class experience of many other carriers. Flights on QR are invariably enjoyable, and I will continue to use them for hopefully many years to come when travelling East.
Thanks for following along on this long journey to and through Japan – a land of great beauty and culture that I look forward to returning to soon.
With a predictable 45-60 minute wait for a shower and a relatively short connection time, I opted to freshen up in one of the accessible changing rooms within the washrooms. As he unlocked the door for me, the washroom attendant was pretty emphatic that this was for changing only, but with a sink available it was pretty easy to shave between a change of clothes. QR really do need to re-think the number of shower suites they offer at the Al Mourjan lounge.
Gate B10 was set up with a dedicated priority lane both at the boarding pass check at the entrance to the gate room, and to get through the doors to the dual airbridges. Business Class boarded to Door 1L, where we were welcomed on board and escorted to our seats on A7-AED, a 13-year-old A330-300.
QR’s 13-strong fleet of A330-300 aircraft are configured with a single Business Class cabin comprising of five rows of B/E Diamond seats in a 2-2-2 configuration between Doors 1 and 2. The B/E Diamond seat is the higher density version of the Super Diamond product found on QR’s A350, A380 and 787 – but is nowhere near as good. Putting aside the lack of direct aisle access for window seats and associated privacy concerns, storage is severely lacking, and the footrest area is notably constrained by the shell of the seat in front in any row other than the first.
Unlike American Airlines on their A321 transcontinental fleet in Flagship Business, QR have not specified the small ledge/shelf below the IFE screen, meaning storage is limited to a cumbersome array of narrow ledges to the sides of the seat.
As with the footrest, not all seats are created equal in this configuration; window seats have a larger side ledge than aisle seats. The literature pockets are awkwardly placed at shoulder height. One of the few redeeming features of the A330-300, and in contrast to the A330-200 fleet, are the individual air vents in the overhead panel. Reading lights at this level are complemented by adjustable lights within the central divider.
The usual large QR pillow and a rolled Qsuite blanket were waiting for me on arrival at 2K, with a bottle of Evian water and headphones to the side of the seat. The Bric’s amenity kit was sitting on the divider between the pair of seats; its contents are passable, but not overly interesting.
Our South African captain announced a cruising altitude of 34,000ft for the 5h29 flight to Italy. One day I’m going to vary my choice of Qatar Airways welcome drink, but this morning wasn’t this day, and so the friendly crew delivered my mint and lime along with a hot towel, the menu, wine list and the offer of a newspaper.
Orders for breakfast were taken before an on-time pushback, with the CSD also doing the rounds to welcome each passenger. After the relative quiet of the A350, the noise of the A330’s engines was pretty apparent as we taxied out for a takeoff from Runway 34L. Another difference to the A350 is the lack of exterior cameras on the A330, although I’m perfectly happy just looking out of the window during a flight.
As breakfast service began, I fired up the IFE to watch the spectacularly poor Geostorm. The reflectivity of the screen meant that it was at times hard to see what was going on; even the intermittent stops and starts from the buggy system couldn’t distract from the low-quality production values. The adjacent aisle seat’s IFE screen is pretty visible from the window seat, which would be less than ideal if trying to rest or when flying during a night flight where a dark cabin is preferred. QR’s A330-300 fleet is not wifi equipped.
It is, of course, never too early for champagne, and so although it was only around 09:30 Doha time, I opted to start breakfast with a glass of Pommery Brut Royal. The somewhat nervous but pleasant cabin crew member brought this with a dish of warm nuts, a nice gesture that I’m sure wouldn’t normally be part of the breakfast service.
It was clear at this point that this flight was catered with the new tableware gradually (at the time) being rolled out across Business and First Class sectors. This was confirmed with the arrival of the platter of seasonal cut fruits; the new plate was complemented by a red water glass, metal bread basket and new, rather smart, salt and pepper grinders.
Greek yogurt, raspberry compote and toasted granola with nuts was next up, before my main course choice of steel-cut oats served with berries and cream. This was maybe a little too sweet for my taste for breakfast, but I was keen to try this dish that often features on QR’s breakfast menus. Breakfast concluded with a cappuccino (in a new-style mug) and a hot towel.
In what is quite an unusual configuration for an A330, the forward washrooms feature windows and were, predictably, totally spotless. It seemed the starboard washroom hadn’t been stocked with cups which was slightly annoying.
Mid-way through the flight I ordered a Ceylon spice chai tea, which was served on a new oval plate with biscuits. It would be nice to see QR offering premium plated biscuits rather than packaged, although I wasn’t actually hungry at the time and so packaged does reduce food waste.
For the light meal to conclude the flight I opted for afternoon tea which comprised of ‘fresh’ finger sandwiches, warm scones, clotted cream and delicate pastries. This was overall an excellent meal and was nicely presented, although the sandwiches were slightly stale (a predictable result of storage for several hours at altitude). I’m also pretty sure that the sandwiches should not have been plated with their wrapper still on. A final hot towel was brought around along with chocolates to conclude service on this pleasant flight.
We arrived into a bright Venice on time, parking next to a Delta 767 and disembarking via the single airbridge from Door 1L.
With automated immigration for EU residents (long may that continue!), we were quickly in the baggage reclaim hall where our two bags were within the first four on the belt.
Despite variations in both their hard and soft product, Qatar Airways offer a generally consistent Business Class experience that, in attention to detail at least, is no doubt more closely aligned to the international first class experience of many other carriers. Flights on QR are invariably enjoyable, and I will continue to use them for hopefully many years to come when travelling East.
Thanks for following along on this long journey to and through Japan – a land of great beauty and culture that I look forward to returning to soon.
Oct 14, 2018, 8:53 am
#33
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Canterbury
Programs: BA Blue, IC Diamond Ambassador, Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 368
Loved reading this report and it was enjoyable to read your thoughts on Japan and on QR. The regular Sakura lounge looks a lot nicer than the Sakura Sky Lounge at the other end of the terminal and makes we wish we'd gone their instead. Unfortunately the CX lounge was closed prior to our QR flight from HND so we couldn't try it out.
Oct 20, 2018, 10:30 am
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,348