December 7, 2016
Qatar Airways 740 Los Angeles (LAX) - Doha (DOH) Departure: 1518 Arrival: 1707 Duration: 14:48 Aircraft: Boeing B777-2DZ(LR)
Registration: A7-BBD Seat: 1F (Business Class)
With my last two encounters on Qatar Airways from Los Angels to Doha, I was stuck in cramped economy class on a very long flight. Since the economy is configured in 3-4-3 arrangement, getting stuck in the middle row or middle seat is just awful. This was my first business class experience from west coast to middle east as I usually use Korean Air which takes lesser time.
I have constantly checked Qatar Airways' flight history on Flightradar24.com and always see delays in departure from LAX. My next flight to Tbilisi was departing the next day so after I arrive so I was not worried about the connecting time, but I did not want to get stuck in evening rush-hour traffic in Doha to my hotel. Thankfully, compared to other day, the door closed on time although there was a show going on where someone shipped a sports car in the cargo and the ground staffs were having trouble getting it out.
Anyway, I was on board and the business class is in 2-2-2 configuration divided into main(Row 1-4) and mini cabin(Row 5-7) with total of 42 flat bed seats for business an 217 in economy. I have actually chose seat 7J on the last row but after hearing the flight was full, I changed my seat to the empty 1F because if you are seated at the last, every service will be coming to you the last which takes time. There is this Experflyer.com website where you can easily check for seats on your flight. Very useful!
The Sports car did not want to be pushed back.😂
The Cabin:
Having on board the same aircraft and the same cabin to Muscat (First class Doha - Muscat) few months ago, I will exclude some informations of this B777-200LR. Compared to the empty regional first class flight I had, this high-season flight was overbooked with no empty seats on both business and economy class.
Different things I have experienced from my previous episode were the constant changes with the mood lighting that reduces jet lagging and the cabin I was seated. This was my first time seating on the row 1 bulkhead in the main cabin as this seat usually blocked and open to passengers traveling with infants.
Fully occupied aircraft made the cabin crowded and passengers were constantly going forward and backwards for lavatories and it was little bothering especially when you are seated just behind the galley and lavatories.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Cabin.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR galley.
The Seat:
Seats are same flat bed that reclines 180 degrees and the only difference in bulkhead seating are the IFE monitors are stowed where you have to push a button to make it pop out whereas the other seats have screens attached to the back of the forward seating. And also due to the stowage of the IFE, there is no small storage space with blue lighting right in front of the tray table area.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class seat 1J,K.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class seat: Bottle holder.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class seat: Tray table stowed.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class seat: Seat controls.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class seat: Small storage with headphone port.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class seat: AC power socket.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class seat: Armrest.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class seat: IFE remote controller.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class seat: Overhead storage space.
In-flight Meals:
This is the section I really like to talk about: The food and drink!
As a welcome drink, I frequently choose Rosé Champagne for its fine after taste. Since it was a ultra long 15 hours flight to Doha, there many different types of dishes which were instantly ready and served by the crew member. Having travelled the same route on economy class, the different was so much where I only had two meals and snacks on the back but tons of food and drinks with business class.
Prior to take-off, the cabin crew came and wrote down all the menus I would like to have and as soon as we were on the air, a light starter was served. Then, from soup to main to dessert, it took me more than an hour and half to finish off everything. Throughout the flight, cookies and snacks were arranged in the cart beside the business class galley, and we can just go there to pick up something to fill up our stomach. The long 15 hours went really fast when you're taking a lot of time to eat bunch of different foods.
The arrival time at Doha was 1700 which was 0600 in LA so there was a breakfast menu prepared. I had a cereal and cheese omelette and both were delicious to a person who just woke up although its actually afternoon local time. Praise to the a-la-carte on Qatar Airways' Business class!
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class Rose Champagne and cold towel.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class light starter.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class menus.
Menu and Beverage Lists:
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class tableware.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class soup.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class appetizers.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class mains.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class fresh fruits.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class ice cream dessert.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class dessert.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class sandwich.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class cheese platter.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class cereal.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class breakfast.
In-flight Entertainment:
The In-flight entertainment, too, I will not write long. It is exactly same as my previous regional first class flight to Muscat, the IFE contents were same but added with recently released shows and music. As usual, noise cancelling headphones are in all seats with the socket under the armrest.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class IFE headset.
Lavatories:
Two lavatories just behind the flight deck and two other between the main and mini cabin with more amenities are provided on long-haul flights but the rest are the same.
Qatar Airways B777-200LR Business class lavatory.
Summary:
I would like to congratulate again to Qatar Airways for being number one on the Best Business Class Airline!
Even though I was in business class where you can lie flat, 15 hours flight is still too long and tiring. But trying out something new is always awesome and I was able to experience one of the 5-star airline in the world. There are always some little flaw that airlines need to improve but I really like the service on board and from cabin crews. The flight was full and they, without missing a single passenger, provided great duty to everyone.
And the next thing, the foods! A-la-carte is always a great option where you can ask anytime in flight and tons of different meals available. I do not like to eat foods that have weird textures on ground but everything is tasty when up in the air. From the quality of plating to the taste, everything was satisfying.
I have some more Qatar Airways flight upcoming next week - A380's Business class and B787's Business class. After those two, I am finally done trying all the company's fleet and more adventures with other airlines will be planned!