Flight Review: Qatar Airways, Economy Class Product
QR945 Singapore To Doha Boeing 787 Dreamliner Qatar Airways has always been my top choice whenever I travel to Europe. Besides having one of the best airfares (e.g Paris return fare S$895) and frequent flyer program, they also operate one of the youngest and most modern fleets of aircraft. One of which is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It was introduced in 2012 when I first took it. You can't imaging how happy I am when Qatar Airways decided to replace the Boeing Dreamliner with the latest Airbus A350 XWB on Singapore, Munich and Frankfurt route.
Flight Details
Singapore Changi Airport - Doha Hamad International Airport Dep: SIN 0230 Arr: DOH 0505 Total Duration: 7H 35MIN Aircraft Type: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Seat: 32H (Economy Class) Cabin Configuration: 3-3-3
The Economy Class Seat Product on Qatar Airways Boeing B787 Dreamliner
The Dreamliner is a mid-size aircraft designed to operate on long haul flights. Even though it is one of the final aircraft invention in recent and future decades, the leg room in the economy class makes it a terrible aircraft to fly with on a long haul route. I am a person who will usually forgo comfort for the view. I always prefer the window seat. However, when I fly on the Dreamliner, I will not definitely choose the aisle seat because it is just so uncomfortable.
The Dreamliner is fitted with more economy class seats than the longer planes in a given space. Hence, it offers the smallest leg room in the economy class among the long haul aircraft types, which include the Boeing 777, Airbus A350 and A380. This applies to most Dreamliner from other airlines as well.
The in-flight entertainment in Qatar Airway's Dreamliner is one generation behind the latest generation fitted on their Airbus A380 and A350. Hence, you will find the entertainment box under the window and aisle seat, which reduce the amount of space for the feet. Even though the in-flight entertainment is one generation behind, it is still more advanced as compared to most airlines.
Qatar Airways' Dreamliner offers a 3-3-3 seat configuration in the economy class. If you are lucky to have the whole row for yourself, the armrest can be fully raised and you can lie quite comfortably on the flat seat. Each seat in the economy class is 17.2 inches wide. The windows in the Dreamliner are larger than the standard aircraft and come with automatic shading control function which you can adjust the shading in 6 different levels. When choosing a window seat in economy, it is worth noting that row 34 does not come with any windows.
Initial Phase Of The Flight
It was surprisingly a full flight as I was expecting a lighter load during April. Luckily, I was smart enough to choose the aisle seat for this Dreamliner flight. Once everyone had settled down before push back, the crew started distributing refreshing towels. The crew serving my cabin were very proactive. They were always there to guide the passengers to their seat and helped out with the cabin luggage.
The only thing I like about the Dreamliner is probably the mood lighting and how quiet it can be. There is really a significant difference in the noise level, especially during take-off and landing.
In-flight Entertainment System
After taking off, I decided to catch a movie while waiting for the meal service to commence. The in-flight entertainment system onboard features a 10.1 inch display screen and a remote screen control, powered by Android operating system. Besides the control function, the remote screen is able to display the flight show while having the main screen playing the movie.
As mentioned earlier, the entertainment system on Qatar Airways' Dreamliner belongs to an earlier generation which was introduced in 2012. I did find some lags especially with the remote control. However, the clarity of the display screens are still pretty much better. The Qatar Airways' Airbus A380 and A350, which were delivered this year, are fitted with the latest generation of the in-flight entertainment system. I have tried it out on my recent A350 flight and it was stunning!
First Meal Service
About 40 minutes into the flight, the crew commenced a light meal service for the late night. Although it was a little insane to eat at 3 in the morning (Singapore time), the snack was just too appealing. There is a big enhancement in the food they served. Early last year when I flew with them, there were only serving a simple wrap. When I flew with them again this April, there were having more varieties and quantity.
Along The Way
The meal service was completed with the last round of drink service before the cabin light was dimmed down. We were somewhere between India and Southeast Asia when the crew had to suspend the service due to bad turbulence.
The aircraft was shaking up down left right a little before it made a sudden drop a few seconds later. Seriously, holy shit. I immediately buckled up and held my armrest. Some passengers were even screaming. It was followed by a minute of rough turbulence before the flight became stable. Based on my flight experience, turbulence is common in this region. However, that was the worst turbulence I encountered so far. After the flight became stable, I was spending most of the time sleeping. Along the way as I was half awake and asleep, the crew made several rounds in the cabin, serving drinks and snacks like potato chips, chocolates and biscuits. When I finally got up, the flight had already flew past India
On-Board Amenities
To freshen up after napping, I made a visit to the lavatory. Even though the amenities in the lavatory were limited, their refreshing water and body lotion were from Salvatore Ferragamo. As the Dreamliner is considered as one of the technology break-through aircraft for the decades, Boeing has introduced many automatic controls. At least on the surface for passenger experience, they created the electronic window shading and brought in sensor controls in the lavatory for washing and flushing.
For overnight flight, passengers in the economy class were issued the amenity kit with some basic necessities in it. Recently, they have replaced the amenity pouch into a more clean-cut one.
Breakfast Service
After getting up, I decided to catch a second movie while waiting for the next meal service. The crew were busy preparing in the gallery when I left the lavatory. As I returned to my seat, I found a menu in my seat pouch.
Slowly after, the crew started with the breakfast service. Recently, they have started to provide a third option for their main meal service, which is what Singapore Airlines have been doing all the while. They have also brought in more varieties in their alcohol selection. The champagne option is also newly introduced, serving Jacquart in the economy class while Sri Lankan Airlines served it in their business class cabin.
Out of the 3 options, I picked the pancakes with strawberry compote and vanilla cream sauce. It was really the best decision ever. That was seriously the best economy class breakfast I ever had! The convention continental breakfast is way too boring.
Towards Landing
As the flight is flying into the early morning, the cabin lighting was set to similar colour of a sunrise since the start of the meal service. The peak period in Doha Hamad International Airport is between the late night and the early morning. My flight was making a few rounds before landing into Doha. As we reached Doha, the sun was almost up. The aircraft was unfortunately parked at the remote gate where we needed to take a bus to the terminal.
Bottomline
Why I prefer Qatar Airways: 1) They have one of the youngest and most modern fleet of aircraft. Their first Boeing 787 Dreamliner was received in 2012. In early 2015, they received their first Airbus A380 and A350 XWB. 2) They are the first to fly the world's newest aircraft, the Airbus A350 XWB to Singapore, Munich, Frankfurt and later to Philadelphia. The A350 XWB is absolutely stunning. It is the best aircraft I have ever flown. 3) They have one of the best airfares deals. (Paris return from S$894, New York from $1300) 4) It is easy to reach the next tier in their frequent flyer program. ( 2 long haul and 1 short haul return flights brings you to Silver Tier) Things I dislike about Qatar Airways: 1) The leg room in their Boeing 787 Dreamliner is very small. It is uncomfortable to fly for long haul routes. Many European cities are served by the Dreamliner. P.S: This is not a sponsored post. The above content is based on my truthful thoughts and experience. Opinions expressed here are not from any entity. If you find this blog post useful, you may consider booking your Qatar Airways flights via this link here (for affiliate commission). All pictures are taken by me, unless stated otherwise
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16 Comments
3/9/2015 07:26:26 am
we a family of 4 vegetarian boarded flight QR556 on 30th August15 ex Doha to Mumbai.my wife is a strict vegetarian and she has been served with NONVEG food.Flight attendent Mr MISOH said it is not his mistake as catering deptt put wrong sticker.Other staff ARANYA also said the same and apolozised. But I could not console my wife. She has decided not to travel with Qatar Airways in future.
Reply
Theyarejudged
4/9/2015 01:25:46 pm
Oh dear. How nasty! Oh well... In my point of view, although the cabin crew somehow seems to push the blame, the essential fault still lies on the catering team. Have u write in a complain thru their website? I'm wondering what's the compensation.
Reply
28/11/2015 02:07:37 pm
Qatar Airways has always been my top choice whenever I travel to Europe. Besides having one of the best airfares (e.g Paris return fare S$895) and frequent flyer program,
Reply
Zeepy
6/12/2015 11:58:24 am
That's a great review you've got there! And it's been a long time since I've flown on Qatar Airways because I shun their Dreamliners! But now that they're operating their A350s on this DOHSIN vv. route, I will certainly consider flying them again!
Reply
They Are Judged
6/12/2015 04:52:53 pm
Hi Zeepy,
Reply
14/5/2016 12:42:52 pm
My holy grail products haven’t even worked, and if they supply any moisture, it only lasts for a little while. I have found myself at a fork in the road and I’m about fed up with my natural hair!
Reply
Nav
20/6/2016 12:20:44 am
Hey. ..
Reply
TheyAreJudged
20/6/2016 03:10:41 am
Hi Nav,
Reply
TheyAreJudged
20/6/2016 03:08:57 am
Hi Nav,
Reply
Narinder
12/12/2016 07:18:38 am
We are planning to go India with your airline Qatar did you have good price tickets and Hindu vegetarian food and Hindi movies in plane we are going to India New Delhi from Los Angeles lax airport
Reply
TheyAreJudged
16/12/2016 06:23:47 pm
Hi Narindar,
Reply
moss
10/1/2017 05:12:35 am
Chose to fly Istanbul to Jakarta with Qatar, they are doing 15% off if you book with visa so some pretty low fares at the moment. Unfortunately we will be on the dreamliner with the 3-3-3 layout.
Reply
TheyareJudged
10/1/2017 09:19:35 am
Hi Moss!
Reply
Jas
18/1/2017 01:48:39 am
Hi!
Reply
Sterling
14/5/2017 02:05:52 pm
Hi! Nice review! This is really helpful for me.
Reply
They Are Judged
20/5/2017 12:10:26 am
Dear Sterling,
Reply
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