Rather than fly nonstop from Doha to Helsinki on a 787-8, I flew from Doha to Copenhagen then connected to Helsinki to get on a 787-9 flight, which features Qatar Airways’ latest closed-door business class product, a variation on the Qsuite found on 777 and select A350 aircraft.
Qatar Airways 787-9 Business Class – My First Impressions
As you step onboard, you cannot help but to be impressed by the attention to detail in the branding, mood lighting, buffet, and permanent vase of roses. As far as 787s go, this is the “sexiest” one I’ve ever had the pleasure of flying on.
Qatar Airways has debuted the new Adient Ascent seat on its 787-9 in business class. These are reverse herringbone seats for windows and herringbone seats in the middle section. All suites have doors that close. Qatar Airways has also added extra touches like lamps which bring so much character to the seats.
Beyond the look of the seat, I found the seat quite practical, with a wireless mobile phone charger within easy reach on the side of the seat, the position of the plug perfect for easy access, and a wide two-tiered table ideal for multiple beverages and elbow space.
I also liked that the window shade could be controlled on the screen, though it did not matter much for our flight, which was totally in darkness until the very final moments before landing.
Sinthuja took care of me in the cabin and was simply wonderful: attentive, kind, and proud to wear the Qatar Airways uniform.
The menu was not quite what I was expecting. Rather than a heavy meal after takeoff or a heavy meal before landing, there was a light snack after takeoff and another light breakfast prior to landing.
The “stress-free” dinner included a bite-size tasting menu of six dishes, beautifully presented in a bento-box like display. The seafood bisque and lamb pie were particularly tasty.
After the snack, Sinthuja prepared my bed and I slept soundly for the next five hours.
About an hour outside of Copenhagen, I was gently awakened (by request) for breakfast. Breakfast included some fresh fruit, a croissant, yogurt, smoothie, coffee, and juice. Again, relatively small compared to the elaborate breakfasts often available on Qatar Airways, but more than sufficient for this short overnight journey. In fact, I ordinarily would have skipped it, ordering it just for purposes of my review.
We landed to a beautiful morning in Copenhagen and I walked off very impressed. The 787-9 offers a better business class seat than the 787-8 and certainly feels more private when the door is closed (even though I found it a bit flimsy).
If you have a choice between the 787-8 and 787-9 on Qatar Airways, do take the 789. I’ll have more details on the flight, including amenities, IFE, the full menu, and a lot more pictures in my full review.
@Matthew, I’ll pass your remarks about the seat to my daughter, a design engineer at Adient in HB. I was not aware of the complex process for seat design until she began working there.
Minor correction – the solo window seats are reverse herringbone; the middle “pairs” are herringbone.
Do they have individual air nozzles?
Yes, they do!
Can we still take those small white pillows home as a souvenir?
The line drawing of your face makes you look older than your picture suggests you are.
You been working out? That blue T-shirt is fitting very nicely, bro.