In this review, I share my Qatar Airways 787 Business Class experience, initiated from Milan Malpensa to Doha due to the substantial savings. Opting to start the journey from Milan allowed me to save approximately 30% compared to departing from the UK. Starting with a smooth airport experience and boarding process, I detail my impressions of the cabin amenities, seat comfort, and in-flight entertainment. Despite a letdown with the Wi-Fi connectivity, the culinary offerings and service quality stood out. Read on for the detail.
Flight Details
Flight No: QR124
From/To: Milan Malpensa (MXP) to Doha (DOH)
Departure time: 09:40
Ticket Class: Business
Flight time: 5 hours 17 mins
Frequent Flyer Points: 6,500
Status Points: 140
Aircraft: A7-BCN
Aircraft type: Boeing 787-800 (Dreamliner)
Number of classes: 2
Number of seats in flying class: 22
Seat: 2K
Position: right hand side of the aircraft, 2 rows from the front
In this review:
Airport Experience
After arriving on a positioning flight from London and spending the night at an airport hotel, I reached the airport two hours before our departure. I used one the two available business/priority desks to check-in, encountering no wait or lines. My boarding passes were issued, complete with lounge access – the name was handwritten on the pass. As a Qatar Airways business class passenger, I took advantage of Milan Malpensa’s fast track, breezing through due to the early hour’s quietness.
The lounge was notably spacious, perhaps a reflection of its shared use by numerous airlines. It offered a decent selection of drinks but had a very limited range of cold food options, including ham & cheese finger sandwiches, olive focaccia, croissants and coloured bread(??!). The coffee, dispensed from a machine, was reasonably good, maintaining Italy’s reputation for quality coffee.
Boarding & Welcome
Upon arriving from the lounge, boarding had already commenced for group 1 and business class passengers. I proceeded directly to the boarding pass check and walked down an empty jet bridge to the Qatar Airways 787 aircraft, where I was greeted by a crew member and directed to my business class seat on the right side of the twin-aisle cabin. Within 10 minutes of seating, several crew members had greeted me, offering a full-sized glass of champagne (no thimble-sized servings here) and the menu cards.
Seat
Qatar Airways 787 business class
This particular Qatar Airways 787 was equipped with the older Collins Super Diamond reverse herringbone business class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. Although not as advanced as the QSuite, it still offers a commendable business class experience. Opting for a window seat provides a spacious and comfortable setting, akin to a throne.
Seat 2K offers a panoramic view, resembling a wall of windows, with ample light from the adjacent windows. The seat effortlessly reclines to a fully-flat bed using the controls conveniently located on the seat panel.
Upon entering the seat, I measured approximately 2 feet of space between the seat base and the seat in front, aided by a low armrest that enhances accessibility from the aisle. This seat was particularly good for escaping to the washrooms while the tray table was open during meal service.
Ample storage options included a compartment under the armrest and a small drawer for shoes. The overhead bin easily accommodated multiple carry-on bags per seat.
Overall, we find this seat and cabin layout preferable to the compact “business seat with a door” (Adient Ascent) that Qatar Airways is installing on some 787 aircraft.
What is the best seat on Qatar Airways 787 Business Class?
See the seating plan on SeatGuru.
Onboard Experience
Cabin airflow was stale and stuffy before takeoff but improved thereafter. Approximately 2.5 hours into the flight, I noticed a buildup of dust. This seems to be a common occurrence on 787 aircraft, in contrast to A350s, on which such an extent of dust buildup has not been observed.
There were two toilets for a cabin accommodating 24 passengers. While I didn’t witness any queues forming, the toilets were consistently occupied, necessitating a wait of a minute or two. Moreover, both were well-maintained and restocked throughout the flight. Additionally, each had a window, a nice feature, especially when the rest of the cabin had the window blinds closed.
Let’s talk lovely amenity kits
The amenity kit was a charming Diptyque cardboard box adorned with a bow. It was disappointing that it wasn’t something passengers could take home and pair with their travel baggage. Does anyone remember the Brics amenity kit? I still use mine; I was so fond of the design that I purchased a matching Brics clipper bag to store it in! Gone are the delightful take-home and reusable bags that would often clutter cupboards for months, or even years, gathering dust and evoking a sense of neglect.
Airlines are keen to showcase their environmental conscientiousness by “offsetting” the kerosene they burn to operate. However, what about the myriad little plastic containers of creams and balms? Let’s not spoil the illusion that this is better for the environment!
Family members appreciated receiving the kits as gifts, and I noticed some bloggers even used them as competition prizes. I hope Qatar Airways bring them back and just ditch the plastic contents! Frustratingly, there was no toothbrush or toothpaste included in the kit, nor could I find these items in or near the washrooms. Additionally, slippers or pyjamas were not provided.
Food & Drink
The wine selection on this Qatar Airways 787 business class flight was excellent. Nothing was run-of-the-mill and I felt we got to experiment with some exciting whites and delicious reds. After spending a lot of time on European carriers, it was refreshing to get back onto Qatar and remind ourselves how good business class wine can be.
During the 5-hour and 20-minute flight, there was one meal service provided. Despite my request to dine 90 minutes after take-off, my meal was delivered within 30 minutes of our ascent.
The starter was presented on a tray, featuring a charming electronic tea light within a lantern, which I imagine looks spectacular on nocturnal flights.
The tuna tartare, accompanied by Louis Latour Burgundy Chardonnay, was served with several cream cheese balls and cherry tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil, and garnished with a cucumber spiral. A distinctive roll combining white and brown bread was provided on the side, alongside a mini bottle of a tomato and chilli balsamic vinegar and oil mixture.
Upon clearing, the crew member transferred my cutlery from the finished plate back to the tray before removing the plate. I was given three knives and two forks, which made me question the necessity of reusing them. At home, it’s commonplace to recycle cutlery, but in those case we seldom use more than one knife and fork per person. The soiled utensils remained on the tray through the main course.
Main course
The main course featured pan-seared cod, paired with Oro de Castilla Sauvignon Blanc from Spain, served atop a bed of pea purée with whole peas to the side. The cod was generously portioned and cooked to retain moisture, making it delightful. However, the excessive use of peas was somewhat disappointing. While peas are a fitting accompaniment for fish, the abundance (think sea of peas) and lack of creativity in their use detracted from the dish’s potential.
Following the main course, the tray and the previously used cutlery were collected.
Cheese
I declined the dessert offer, reminding the crew of my prior request for a cheese course. This was promptly served, arranged with a selection of crackers and bread. The cheese plate featured three hard cheeses, including a Parmigiano, and a soft blue cheese, Cambazola, accompanied by red and white grapes and paired with Chateau Cantemerle Bordeaux. The apple chutney provided was so subtle it was almost indiscernible at 40,000 feet.
The meal concluded with a tiramisu paired with Oremus Tokaji dessert wine, adorned with strawberry slices and a mint leaf. The dessert boasted an ample amount of mascarpone and the perfect ratio of amaretto biscuit, making it thoroughly enjoyable.
In-flight Entertainment
The Oryx entertainment system on Qatar Airways’ 787 Business Class ranks among the finest in the skies. I was able to operate it via a large touchscreen or through a wired remote, which, fortunately, I found no need to use.
Each seat comes equipped with noise-cancelling headphones. These fit comfortably over my ears and effectively silenced all but the loudest, most high-pitched cabin noises.
The content selection is pivotal. On this flight, I discovered a plethora of new releases, along with excellent older material that was new to me. Those yearning for a touch of nostalgia were well catered for, with a selection of familiar box sets and classic films from the golden age of cinema.
Additionally, the system featured an interactive flight map, providing several different perspectives of our journey’s route.
Arrival
Our journey took us across the Balkans, passing directly over Sofia and Istanbul, before descending through Iraq and proceeding along the Persian Gulf. We achieved a maximum cruising altitude of 41,000 feet. Remarkably, we encountered no noticeable turbulence during the entire 5-hour flight.
We arrived at Doha Hamad Airport 15 minutes ahead of schedule, followed by a brief taxi to a remote stand. The stairs were promptly attached, and the aircraft door was opened for disembarkation after just a few minutes. A dedicated business class bus was ready at the bottom of the stairs, operating at 50% capacity to ensure ample space for passengers to sit and relax comfortably.
Since we were continuing on a connecting flight to Kuala Lumpur later that evening, it was unnecessary for us to collect our luggage.
BG1 Verdict
Our Qatar Airways 787 Business Class flight from Milan to Doha combined comfort with some areas needing enhancement. The airport process was smooth, and the welcoming crew aboard set a positive tone. Although the cabin offered spacious seating, the Wi-Fi’s poor performance was a downside. The meal service and wine selection were impressive, ensuring a satisfying dining experience. Entertainment was varied, but the amenity kit and other provisions fell short of expectations. Despite these minor drawbacks and the decision to start from Milan due to cost, the journey underscored Qatar Airways’ standing as a preferred business class carrier, leaving us looking forward to future flights.
BG1 Tip
Qatar Airways is now operating 2 different business class seating configurations on their 787 aircraft. Be sure to know which cabin type your flying to ensure you get a good seat. You might have a window seat, but check it actually has a window!
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