Today’s article is from regular TLFL writer Jason. You can follow Jason on Instagram here @planejayds
Booking
I used BA Avios for this flight. When looking for award availability many assume that the farther out you search, the more likely you will have a chance of finding a premium cabin redemption seat and in many airline programs that is generally true. However, other airlines seem to release additional availability quite close to the date of travel, I guess to fill premium seats that would otherwise be empty.
I find Qatar, Lufthansa and ANA consistently do this which is great if like me you happened to be looking for last minute reward availability! Sometimes you also have to think outside the box – I wanted to get to Manchester from Doha, and searched, zero availability and the same with London. I thought I would give Dublin a go and voila, 3 available business class seats were available for Avios redemption just two days before departure. Writing this review on 29th September I just did a quick Avios search for the next few days and found three seats available DOH-DUB in two days’ time (2nd October).
Take a look at Qatar availability here.
Check In
I had checked in online and was arriving as a transit passenger at around 1:30 am from Dubai and after an easy time with transit security was in the main departure hall of Doha Hamad.
I made a beeline for the Al Mourjan lounge which is one of two lounges available for most business class passengers departing Doha on OneWorld Airlines.
I say most as Qatar Airways does not provide lounge access for their ‘Business Lite’ fare category and they also sidestep the OneWorld Frequent Flyer lounge access policy by providing secondary lounges for those not travelling in Premium cabins but with status affording them lounge access. In fairness, for anyone who has been in the DOH Business Lounges during the peak period, this is an understandable policy as they become very busy.
The lounge was an oasis of calm when I first arrived around 01:30 yet in the space of around an hour it went from quiet to packed as more flights landed into DOH during the early morning bank with the overwhelming majority of passengers in transit.
The lounge is vast and provides various seating areas, a sit-down restaurant style dining area, an additional café style dining venue as well as a large business centre, games room, smoking room, and nap rooms.
I am glad I grabbed something to eat when I first arrived as an hour later people were putting their names onto a list to queue for a table. In true premium service style, however, there were staff offering fresh juices to those waiting for a table and apologising for the wait.
At 6:30 am my flight was displayed as ‘boarding’ on the screens, so I took the shuttle train to C gates and made my way to the departure gate.
Boarding
Boarding was by bus to a remote stand and Business Class passengers were asked to wait until last when a dedicated bus appeared with seats for all and whisked us to our waiting 787. DOH will soon be opening additional piers so the likelihood of having a bus transfer to the aircraft will likely reduce.
Once onboard I located my seat by the window and the bedding, washbag, headphones, menu, and a bottle of water were already at the seat. Business Class seemed to be completely full. Although far from Qatar’s latest QSuite product the B787 is still a 1-2-1 set up but sports a much more open feel.
This is accentuated by the lack of overhead lockers in the middle of the cabin and there being no galley at doors two. Signature purples and greys adorn the cabin and as always with Qatar there is a calming ambiance.
Soon after taking my seat, I was welcomed on board by one of the crew who introduced herself and offered a choice of their signature lime and mint beverage or freshly squeezed orange juice and this was accompanied by a hot towel. The inflight manager also came by to introduce himself and thank me as a Oneworld frequent flyer. Meal and drink orders were taken prior to departure, I had pre-ordered my main so this was confirmed, and I was asked when I would like to eat. As I had not long eaten in the lounge, I decided to try to get some sleep first so asked to have my meal around two hours before arrival into Dublin.
Seat (4K)
Qatar has a number of seating variations on their aircraft with the majority of their wide-bodied fleet sporting a 1-2-1 configuration although be warned, there are still a few B777’s flying around with an old style 2x2x2 set up. On the B787’s and A380’s, the seat is a reverse herringbone layout and the Super Diamond seat manufactured by Collins Aerospace is the same nuts and bolts as you will find on BA Club Suites however BA have a very customised version.
You will also find this seat on airlines such as Etihad (A350), Air Canada, AA and others. The seat is very comfortable however it does feel quite open compared to more recent seating products where the emphasis is on privacy. Qatar also has a number of 777’s leased from Cathay in service which features the Cathay hard product. The thing I like most about the 787 seat is that they are all more or less equal instead of staggered layouts where the experience can be inconsistent.
There are also plenty of stowage options with the 787 seat including within the wide armrest, a cupboard at floor level, space underneath the ottoman, and a draw at feet level.
The IFE screen is in a fixed position so provides gate to gate entertainment and there is a USB and multi plug port as well as individual air vents hoorah. The table is large and easy to operate, it slides forward in a half size and then opens up to offer a massive space.
Just be warned if you like a window seat to enjoy the view – 5K is a window seat with no window.
Inflight
After take off the crew hustled to get the service underway and I had my drink and a ramekin of nuts within 25 minutes of wheels up which is pretty impressive. I enjoyed my G&T before reclining my seat into bed mode and getting a bit of shut eye. The bed is actually very comfortable, and it helps that the wide armrest lowers to the same level as the bed to create a winder base. I love that Qatar provides two pillows per seat and the duvet is very high quality although a little too heavy for me personally.
I woke up about three and a half hours before arrival (nature called) and there was a small snack station set up in the middle of the cabin with some whole fruit and packaged snacks. Feeling rested and while waiting for the loo to become vacant, I decided that now was a good time to caffeinate so asked the crew for a coffee. I had a brief chat with the crew and after talking about my previous life as crew at BA they opened up and discussed how much things have improved for them at QR under the new CEO which was nice to hear. They asked if since I was awake, I would like my meal put on, absolutely!
Anyone who has flown Qatar in business knows that it is pretty much as restaurant style as it can get in Business Class on a plane and after laying a crisp white tablecloth, I was presented with a beef tataki amuse bouche and offered wine and water. At this point, I decided to stick to water, and my table was beautifully laid with high quality cutlery and glassware.
Meals are plated in the galley on beautiful dinnerware and presented course by course and the burrata starter was delicious and served alongside a personal breadbasket containing olive, rye, and sourdough bread.
Alongside this was not just any salt but pink Himalayan salt and a choice of no fewer than five different olive oil mixes. My starter was cleared, and my chicken main was presented which was succulent and tender at this point I gave in and had a glass of wine with the bottle being presented and glass poured at my seat.
Numerous top ups later I was asked if I would like dessert, I asked for the cheese plate, but they had run out, so I went for the chocolate dessert instead along with an espresso.
I had a look through the inflight entertainment system which had over 4000 entertainment options as well as checked out the IFE which offered free messaging for an hour and reasonably priced packages outside that. In no time an announcement was made to prepare the cabin for landing as we had 55 minutes remaining. At this point, another round of hot towels appeared as well as small individual boxes of chocolates.
The service as usual on Qatar was faultless. Four crew in total looked after the business class cabin which included the Inflight manager who was fully integrated into the service. They worked incredibly hard during the flight and were warm and professional. I was happy to receive this service as I have always experienced high levels of service on previous Qatar flights but it has often felt a little robotic or forced.
After a smooth landing into Dublin, we arrived on stand slightly early at 12:25 and I made my sullen way to check in for my far less exciting Ryanair flight home to Manchester.
Verdict
As always, Qatar ticked all the boxes – great ground experience, punctuality, a consistently excellent inflight service and catering, and whilst not their most recent seat, still a comfortable one.
You can follow Jason’s journeys on his Instagram page – @planejayds and his most recent review is available here.
