Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.
I recently enjoyed a wonderful holiday in the Seychelles (one of my favorite travel destinations in the world), and you can read my trip reports here:
- Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 787-9 Business Class from Frankfurt to Doha
- Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Business Class from Doha to the Seychelles (today)
- Review: Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island
- Review: Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts
- Review: Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort
- Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Business Class from the Seychelles to Doha
- Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 787-9 Business Class from Doha to Frankfurt
Today: Review: Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777 Business Class (Doha to the Seychelles)
I recently flew with Qatar Airways in Business Class from Frankfurt (Germany) to the Seychelles, with a stopover in the carrier’s hub in Doha. The flight between Doha and the Seychelles was operated by one the airline’s Boeing 777-200LR aircraft. Unfortunately, this particular flight was flown by a Boeing 777 with the old Business Class cabin, with seats in a 2-2-2 layout. Apparently, Qatar Airways primarily flies Boeing 777 aircraft with this old layout to the Seychelles, which is mostly visited by couples, families, and friends (who may prefer a configuration with paired seats over the Qsuite pods). Although still comfortable, this old Business Class product with a 2-2-2 seat configuration is inferior to the 1-2-1 seat arrangement that the carrier installed on its other widebody aircraft. That said, I was still impressed by Qatar Airways’ soft product, including a full meal service on this rather short flight with a 3 am departure. This blog article also includes a review of Qatar Airways’ phenomenal new Al Mourhan Business Lounge – The Garden in Doha.
Have you ever flown with Qatar Airways? If so, what is your experience? Leave a comment.
- Trip: Doha (DOH) to the Seychellen (SEZ)
- Airline: Qatar Airways
- Aircraft type: Boeing 777-200LR
- Aircraft registration number: A7-BBH (built in 2010)
- On time departure: yes (3 am)
- On time arrival: yes (8:30 am)
- Flight time: 4 hours and 30 minutes
- Seat: 3K
- Class: Business Class
In this review (more information & photos below my Youtube clip & slideshow):
- The Garden Lounge at Hamad International Airport
- Qatar Airways’ different Boeing 777 Business Class products
- Business Class cabin
- Business Class seat (+ best & worst seats)
- Amenities & bedding
- Meals
- Entertainment
- Onboard internet
- Other inflight experiences
- My verdict (score)
1. LOUNGE
Qatar Airways manages several Business and First Class lounges at Hamad International Airport. This article features a review of Qatar Airways’ new Al Mourjan Business Lounge – named “The Garden” – which opened in 2023. The Garden is located in the northern expansion of Hamad International Airport and serves as an extension to the iconic Al Mourjan Business Lounge in the southern part of Hamad International Airport. Together, both lounges can accommodate up to 1,600 passengers at once.
The phenomenal “The Garden” lounge offers uniquely designed relaxation spaces and areas to socialize and indulge in an architectural masterpiece, which stretches over an area of 7,390 sq m (79,550 sq ft). The Garden is comprised of a majestic lobby area and two massive lounge spaces, which overlook Doha Airport’s huge indoor garden, known as The Orchard. One of these spaces features plenty of lounge areas (with different types of seats), arranged around a water pond, while the other space features both lounge and dining areas. Both lounge areas feature an incredible decor with natural light, flourishing greenery, and stylish design elements, reflecting the scenery of the tropical gardens of The Orchard below.
The lounge includes numerous dining options, including a sushi counter, an à la carte restaurant, a salad bar and extensive buffet stations. The food on offer is of very high quality. For example, the à la carte restaurant includes dishes like Asian sticky beef strips, paneer pasanda, and seabass filet marinated with honey mustard dill. The lounge’s world-class facilities also include 24 quiet spaces (each designed to offer optimum relaxation available free of charge for the first six hours) a spa with seven spa treatment rooms, a fitness studio and a game room.
At the center of ‘The Garden’ lounge, right in front of the reception area, is the entrance to the world’s first-ever Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno. This ‘lounge within a lounge’ features an exquisite fusion of luxury gastronomy and French savoir faire, with an exclusive á la carte menu specially curated by three-star Michelin Chef, Yannick Alléno (meals are not complimentary). From monogrammed furniture to one-of-a-kind art pieces, every corner of this lounge is infused with details of the Louis Vuitton brand.
2. QATAR AIRWAYS’ DIFFERENT BOEING 777 BUSINESS CLASS PRODUCTS
Qatar Airways offers several types of Business Class products on its Boeing 777 fleet (which comprises 92 aircraft with an average age of 10 years):
- The majority of Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777s features the carrier’s world-famous Qsuite product, which is the best Business Class product in the sky (and which I reviewed here).
- On some routes (mainly to and from the Maldives), Qatar Airways uses Boeing 777-300ER aircraft that are leased from Cathay Pacific. These Cathay Pacific Boeing 777s are piloted and staffed by Qatar Airways crew, and the onboard service comprised Qatar Airways’ soft product. You can read my review of this product here.
- Some Boeing 777 aircraft still feature the carrier’s old Business Class cabin, with seats in a 2-2-2 layout. These aircraft are mainly flow between Doha and the Seychelles.
3. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN
The Boeing 777-200LR that flew us from Doha to the Seychelles was fitted with Qatar Airways’ old Business Class product and not the more recently introduced Qsuite product. Qatar Airways’ old Business Class product features 42 flat bed seats arranged in a 2-2-2 layout. The 42 seats are spread over two cabins: one larger front cabin with 4 rows of 6 seats (24 seats in total) and a smaller aft cabin with 3 row of 6 seats (18 seats in total).
A positive feature of Qatar Airways’ old Business Class is the feeling of spaciousness felt throughout the cabin, because there is quite some distance between the seats (contrary to most modern Business Class seats where your feet go under the seat in front). However, the negative aspect of this configuration is the lack of direct aisle access for window seat and the total lack of privacy. There is a small divider between adjoining seats at head height but it only extends a few inches if you pull it (so it is rather useless).
4. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)
Qatar Airways’ old Business Class seat has a pitch of 78 inches (198 cm) and a width of 22 inches (55 cm). The seat is well padded and feels very comfortable in the upright position.
In front of each seat is a 17 inch TV screen (built in the back shelf of the seat in front) as well as good-sized bin below the TV to store some personal items. Besides the bin are two racks to store shoes or small bags as well as a pocket for magazines.
The window armrest (for window seats) or the aisle armrest (for aisle seats) features the controls for the seat position, including a massage function. The other, central armrest – which is shared with the neighboring seat – features a small side table that can be opened to reveal a small storage box with a bottle holder. This armrest also holds the tray table, the power ports as well as a reading light.
At the touch of a button, the seat can recline into a flat bed with a length of 78 inches (198 cm). While the seat technically goes flat, the footrest (which is leather) is slightly lower compared to the rest of the seat, so it doesn’t feel like a properly flat bed.
What are the best Business Class seats
- All Business Class seats are excellent for those traveling with a companion because of the 2-2-2 cabin configuration.
- The aft cabin feels a bit more private and intimate (which only 3 rows of 24 seats) compared to the front cabin (which has 4 rows of 18 seats).
What are the worst Business Class seats
- The 2-2-2 Business Class layout does not make the cabin very attractive for solo travelers, since you will always end up sitting next to a stranger.
- Window seats don’t offer direct aisle access.
5. AMENITIES & BEDDING
Business Class passengers receive the following amenities on this flight:
- A small amenity kit (only provided upon request), holding eye shades, ear plugs and socks.
- Two pillows: a larger one for lounging and sleeping and a smaller decorative one with a reference to some of the world’s most iconic cities (e.g. Amsterdam, Singapore, etc …)
- A plush, burgundy-colored duvet, which feels extremely comfortable.
- Oryx One branded noise-isolating headphones.
- Dental and shaving kits are stocked in the lavatory during the flight.
6. MEALS
Upon boarding, I was offered a choice of a glass of Champagne, orange juice, water, or Qatar Airways’ signature drank, lemon mint (I choose the latter).
Despite a departure in the middle of the night (3 am) and this being a relatively short flight (4 hours and 30 minutes), a full meal was served right after takeoff. In addition, Qatar Airways offers dining-on-demand, so yould can order whatever you want from the menu at any time you liked.
I choose the following selection from the dinner:
- Starter: seared peri peri scallops with harissa cream, caviar, samphire, red endive and lemon
- Main course: grilled black angus beef fillet with herb jus, truffle dauphinoise potato and seasonal summer vegetables
- Dessert: mango passion fruit mousse, nut crumble and berries
The food tasted great and the portions were generous.
7. ENTERTAINMENT
Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system is called Oryx One. The system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more.
The entertainment can be selected by either directly touching the HD screen or with a wired remote controller which has its own small screen. This allows passengers to watch a movie or TV show on the main screen while keeping track of the flight’s progress on the wired controller. Both the screen itself and the handheld remote are incredibly responsive.
Qatar Airways’ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners are also equipped with two outdoor cameras — one facing forward and one downward, which is a nice touch for aviation geeks.
8. ONBOARD INTERNET
Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777s are equipped with in-flight WiFi. The following WiFi plans were available on this flight:
- One hour of complimentary onboard WiFi for member’s of Qatar Airways’ frequent flyer program, Privilege Club.
- $10 USD for onboard WiFi for the duration of the flight
9. OTHER INFLIGHT EXPERIENCES
# CREW: Qatar Airways’ Business Class service ranks among the best in the sky. The international Qatar Airways cabin crew members on this particular 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: Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777-200LR features four lavatories for the 42 Business Class passengers: two lavatories are located behind the cockpit and two lavatories in the galley between the two Business Class cabins. The lavatories are stocked with dental and shaving kits.
10. MY VERDICT
- Cabin design: 6/10
- Seat comfort (upright): 8/10
- Seat comfort (bed position): 6/10
- Seat privacy: 0/10
- Food (quality): 8/10
- Food (quantity): 9/10
- Food (presentation): 9/10
- Inflight entertainment : 9/10
- WiFi: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Overall experience: good 7.4/10
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