On boarding a Qatar Airways Boeing 777-200LR you get an immediate sense of greater space than on some airlines’ 777s.
The business class configuration is a generous 2-2-2 configuration instead of the widely used of 2-3-2.
And the extra space is not just the province of business class, with economy featuring a 3-3-3 configuration instead of 3-4-3. Also the toilets appear to be more generous in size.
Customer service
Qatar Airways has built a strong brand reputation based on its customer service in the cabin and my flight from Doha to Perth was no exception.
The welcome was warm and genuine and nothing was too much trouble despite the 42 business class seats being occupied.
Clearly they are proud of their jobs and the airline, and it showed at every touch point.
The flight attendants knew when to ask and when not and didn’t press any issue, such as not wanting to avail oneself of all the culinary delights on offer – and there were plenty.
Their attention and the cabin atmosphere gave the 777 a cosy club atmosphere.
The cockpit crew was excellent giving passengers a run down on the flight’s weather which was for “a few bumps south of India” which they promised to minimize and they did.
It was one of the smoothest flights I have had.
Seats and Cabin
The business class seats are set in three sets of twos and lie flat.
They are fitted with every electronic device that you can desire including USB.
You also get a large pillow, duvet, sleeper suit and very nice amenity kit featuring Attimo Hand Cream, Lip Balm and After Shave. Excellent!
Aisle access was easy with hand grips to steady oneself to around the legs of the sleeping fellow passenger.
Being a 777 and with only a six across configuration there was plenty of overhead bin storage.
The business class section is divided into two zones. The first has four rows and is between door 1 and galley and toilets.
The second zone has three rows and finishes at door 2. However immediately behind is the first row of economy with bassinet positions.
Food and beverages
If the seating wasn’t bonus enough the food and wine were superb.
My flight departed for Perth at 2pm and immediately after take-off I was offered the “indulgence” menu which is another word for supper.
Light options I thought and selected the coriander prawn salad, followed by grilled sea bass.
Tables have crisp white linen and all meals are served on china with silverware.
I passed on the cheese plate thinking that sleep was essential and the brunch to be served a few hours out of Perth looked magnificent.
Champagne? Lanson 1999 or Taittinger Rose were on offer.
After a sound sleep brunch was outstanding.
For me the starter was a selection of seared tuna, saffron poach lobster, crab and haddock terrine.
Perfect with a delightful New Zealand SB. It is amazing the number of places around the globe you will find this superb drop!
And the bread basket was warm and inviting as bread should be. It is extraordinary how many airlines get this wrong.
To follow I selected a wild mushroom frittata with wilted spinach accompanied by sauteed potatoes with onions, tomato and mushroom sauce.
This time I didn’t pass up the cheese board which was mature cheddar, fourme d’ambert and brie le maubert.
While I didn’t indulge any further my fellow passengers didn’t have the same will power with pistachio and mango ice cream scoring big points.
For those who felt hungry through the 11 hour flight there was a help yourself snack bar or if you’re too comfortable to move from your slumber the crew were quick to respond.
In flight entertainment
Every seat in Business Class is equipped with a large AVOD system and there was an excellent section of movies and TV. I caught up on a couple of movies the latest Tom Clancy Shadow Recruit and the Monuments Men. Good fun! Viewing is enhanced with noise canceling headphones.
Final word
There is no doubt that Qatar Airways is a real “class act” and cut above most airlines. It certainly deserves its seven star product rating from AirlineRatings.com.
See the in flight product and safety rating for Qatar Airways
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