Qatar 787 – 8 Dreamliner business class review
An evening take off with a flight time of just under 7 hours. Read our review about the Qatar 787-8 Dreamliner business class product Qatar from London to Doha. We are eager to compare the Middle Eastern airline to the likes of Emirates and Etihad. We have flown Qatar in economy and it isn’t great. Let’s hope the business class product is much better.
After a disappointing experience in the Aspire Lounge Gatwick North Terminal, we try to get on board the Qatar 787 – 8 business class as soon as possible. Also, we like to try and not get other passengers in our shots. We’ll blur you out for anonymity!
We are also looking forward to the stop in Doha because the Qatar Al Mourjan business lounge is supposed to be their best lounge in the world.
Quick Index of Qatar 787 – 8 dreamliner Business Class
- The Cabin
- The Seats
- The Entertainment
- Electronics
- Amenity Kit
- Food and Drinks
- Service
- The Bathroom
- The Bar
- Final Thoughts
Qatar 787 – 8 dreamliner business class cabin
The business class cabin is relatively small, compared to the likes of the non refurbished Qantas A380 business class cabin. There are only 22 seats. It is arranged in the reverse herringbone configuration. Thank goodness it isn’t like the British Airways ‘honeymoon’ configuration!
The configuration is 1-2-1 which is great for solo travellers and couples. Everyone has aisle access, yay!
There are two seats that you probably don’t want. These are located just behind this ‘bar’ ledge area, that seems to us, very strange. These two seats 6E and 6F are also closest to the toilet, so avoid them. A curtain separates you from the economy class cabin.
The service galley is at the front of the 22 seats so if your’e noise sensitive, you may want to choose a seat towards the back. There are 2 toilets at the back of the cabin.
Qatar uses mood lighting throughout the flight. The changing colours are said to aid relaxation. But they don’t help for taking good food shots!
The seat and its surrounds on the Qatar 787 – 8 dreamliner business class cabin
The seats themselves look very comfortable. After take off you get to ‘make your bed’ with the mattress, but, you have to ask for it. On Emirates and Qantas flights we have experienced, the mattress is already on the seat when you board. The curved back however, doesn’t give maximum privacy, but adds a touch of elegance. The window seats ‘lean’ towards the windows so you’re facing away from the aisle and the centre seat passengers. Even if you’re travelling alone and you get a centre seat, you can raise the privacy shield.
The seat controls move you into various positions. They are very well ‘drawn’ and easy to understand.
Underneath the seat control panel, there is an additional storage bin, which contains the noise cancelling headphones.
You get an extra bit of elbow room, whichever seat you’re in. Everyone gets a mini storage draw which contains a bottle of water and the noise cancelling headphones.
The foot well is somewhat narrow and very tall passengers, may find this a problem.
When you pull the table out for eating, if you move your legs to cross or uncross them, you may hit the table with your knees.
There is an international charging socket underneath the shelf
In flight entertainment
The Oryx entertaiment system is quite comprehensive. The Qatar in flight entertainment system has all the usual options. The latest films and classic films in various languages. You can watch the flight cameras or listen to music. The TV screen doesn’t move which is great or not?
You can either touch the screen itself or use a hand held device to select your entertainment.
In our opinion it is a bit too small, the hand held device. We much prefer the tablet you get on the Emirates A380 – 800.
The noise cancelling headphones are a nice touch. They are superior to the ones you get in economy class. If it weren’t for the three prong jack, the headphones wouldn’t be given back!
The electronics around the seat
The TV controller hides in a compartment to the left or right of your seat.
The seat positions allow for a fully flat angled bed. Not all Qatar’s business class seats do. Similar to Emirates, some business class seats are still the old fashioned angled style. Shock, horror, gasp!
There is a massage facility which is really good, if you like massages.
The charging socket is located underneath the shelf area where the seat controls are. The USB slot is next to the headphones slot.
The amenity kits on the Qatar 787- 8 dreamliner business class
We do love a good amenity kit with a toiletries bag you can reuse! The one provided for ladies is orange and filled with Monte Vibiano goodies, an eye mask, some rather fetching matching socks and ear plugs. The bag is from a family owned Italian luxury goods company, called Bric’s.
The amenity kit for men is blue. It contains exactly the same toiletries as the amenity kit for ladies. The only difference is the socks and eye mask are a different colour.
As it’s an overnight flight, we are provided with pyjamas and slippers. The pyjamas are not 100 per cent cotton, unfortunately. The black slippers are also a nasty nylon, which will make your feet sweat. Still, the pyjamas and slippers are better than creasing and sleeping in your own clothes. You’re also more inclined to fall asleep after the dinner service.
The food and beverages on the Qatar 787-8 Dreamliner business class
If you have special dietary requirements, like vegetarian or gluten free, this can be ordered on the app beforehand. You can even get a ‘bland’ meal. What would that taste like?!!!
Did we ‘relish sumptuous cuisine designed by the best chefs in the world and savour expertly served exclusive vintages?’ Those are the words from Qatar’s website. In terms of presentation, the food is very good. In terms of taste, we’re sorry to report that there is room for improvement.
The bevarages are not as expensive as Emirates offer either. Notably the wines are of a poorer quality. However, the signature mint and lemon drink is refreshingly delicious and you must order at least two throughout the flight!
The menu selection always reflects the place you’re flying to and from. So, on the flight from England there are traditional English and Arabic options.
The dinner service begins an hour into the flight. After a disappointing selection of food in Qatar’s London Gatwick North Lounge, we are hungry!
It’s appetiser time! The amuse bouche is very well presented. Top marks! It tastes good too.
For main course the most exciting sounding dish is the beef fillet. Let’s see if Qatar can pull off a medium-rare steak in the air!
Unfortunately the beef was really overcooked. It had a nice flavour, but, it was not gourmet standard. We were offered a chicken alternative, but, we didn’t want white meat. Thumbs down for Qatar’s main course. The flight attendants were eager to hear our feedback, but, will anything be done about it for future customers?
So far two strikes for the appetiser and main course. Can Qatar win back some points with the dessert?
We choose the healthy option, because how wrong can you go with mixed berries? Even here, attention to detail is lacking. There are still some green parts of the top of the strawberries in the bowl. Overall, a disappointing dinner. It certainly didn’t meet our expectations of the “finest dining in the skies” with “extraordinary cuisine” as the Qatar website suggests.
One hour and 20 minutes before landing in Doha, you are offered breakfast. We choose the cooked option, knowing that there will be middle eastern breakfast choices in the Al Mourjan Lounge, when we land. The next flight we take to Singapore on the Qatar Qsuite will also start with breakfast.
The service of the Qatar staff
The staff greet you by name which is a good touch. On this flight the staff are very friendly, but not over friendly. They ask for feedback and are more than happy to take pictures for you.
The Qatar 787 business class toilets
Why didn’t you go to the toilet before?!!! The bathroom, the restroom, the wash closet. Whatever you want to call it, it’s where you do your ‘business’ in the plane. We are sorry to report, the toilets are a bit disappointing as business class toilets go. It is the same size as an economy class toilet.
The Qatar 787 -8 dreamliner business class bar
There isn’t one!
Ok there isn’t one as in bar service with a flight attendant mixing you cocktails. You can place some drinks here on this ‘bar ledge’ and congregate if you need to stretch your legs. But, how awkward for the passengers sitting in 6E and 6F!
Not that we crave alcohol, you understand, we just like comparing on board bars on different airlines! There is only a bar on the A380 Qatar business class product. After take off, some fresh fruit, nuts and a few bottles of alcohol are placed on the “bar” ledges.
Summary of the Qatar 787 -8 dreamliner business class cabin
Firstly, we like the layout of the cabin. It works really well for everyone, offering privacy to all passengers.
Secondly, the seats are very comfortable and the fully flat position is always welcome.
We love the amenity kits. Good quality and a great souvenir of the flight.
However, the Qatar 787-8 Dreamliner business class does have some down sides. There’s no real bar on the Dreamliner. Oh well, next time we must fly the Qatar A380. It seems to be an A380 thing!
The biggest let down is the food quality and taste. Qatar need to up their game on this aspect of the soft product on this particular flight.
Have you flown out of London Gatwick on the Qatar 787-8 dreamliner in business class? Do you agree with our review? Let us know, by submitting a comment.
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Travel Todi says:
I also like the B787 business cabin. It’s small and compact, not like on A380. Once, partner and me had all the cabin to ourselves from Krabi to Doha, that was a very unique luxurious experience!