• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Home  >  Qatar Airways  >  First Impressions: Qatar Airways A330 “First” Class
Qatar Airways

First Impressions: Qatar Airways A330 “First” Class

Matthew Klint Posted onJuly 9, 2022 22 Comments

A last-minute aircraft swap meant my Boeing 777-300ER with Qsuites became an Airbus A330 with a far inferior “first” class seat, but my short flight from Doha to Amman still proved to be excellent.

Qatar Airways A330 First Class – My First Impressions

After arriving from Tokyo I enjoyed a breakfast feast in the Al Safwa Lounge…it has been a few years since I’ve been in this lounge and it felt like it had not changed at all. I’ll update my review, but was quite happy with the food, service, and even utilized the spa area.

Qatar Airways is pretty bad about last-minute aircraft swaps and I fell victim to one on this 2 hour, 50 minute flight. My 777 with a 1-2-1 seating became an A330 with 2-2-2 seating up front (no direct aisle access for window seat passengers).

I put first class in quotation marks because Qatar Airways markets it regional flights within the Middle East as “first class” which I’ve never fully understood, but note that it does provide access to the Al Safwa Lounge, which is a nice step up over the Al Mourjan Lounge for business class passengers.

Onboard, Nour took care of me and provided excellent service throughout the flight. The seat next to me stay opened, which helped.

One first class distinctive on Qatar Airways, versus business class, is Arabic coffee and dates prior to the flight.

Having just indulged in a feast in the Al Safwa Lounge, I did not eat until before landing. Perhaps this was a mistake, because I found the catering lackluster and it may be that my omelet was just left in the oven too long. It was served with lamb sambousek and halloumi cheese and frankly better than most meals I would receive on a flight of that length within the USA (especially considering the fresh orange juice and berry smoothie), but not a particularly memorable meal.

We landed to a pleasant day in Amman and I was soon off and on my way through passport control.

CONCLUSION

It’s always nice when you can be “let down” to find yourself on an A330 with lie-flat seating, a large menu of food, and great service on a flight less than three hours. The flight was fine in the sense that after an 11-hour flight on JAL followed by a 12-hour flight on Qatar Airways, I was just ready to seep some more…but Qatar Airways impresses on both the short- and longhaul sectors.

Oh, and a question for you aircraft experts out there. Was this an A330-200 or A330-300? Without the registration number, how can you tell?

Previous Article JetBlue’s Swanky JFK T5 Rooftop Terrace
Next Article Insane: Delta SkyClub Crowding Getting Worse

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • Qatar Airways CEO Lufthansa

    Qatar Airways CEO Offers To Point Out Lufthansa’s “Mistakes”

    March 8, 2023
  • Qatar Airways A330-300 First Class Review

    Review: Qatar Airways A330-300 “First Class” Doha – Amman

    January 26, 2023
  • Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge Review

    Review: Qatar Airways First Class Al Safwa Lounge

    January 25, 2023

22 Comments

  1. Aaron Reply
    July 9, 2022 at 11:15 am

    Based on you having a 5 row business class, with no first class, looks like you were on a A330-300?

  2. KyleEP Reply
    July 9, 2022 at 12:34 pm

    Loved the review! I agree- this is an A330-300 based on the stretched forward cabin in the photo (number of windows). The 332 has around 10 between doors 1 and 2 and the 333 has around 15 between doors 1 and 2.

  3. Diego Reply
    July 9, 2022 at 12:49 pm

    I guess the same question for US airlines marketing their domestic first class seats?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      July 9, 2022 at 1:17 pm

      Yep. Beyond tradition, why?

  4. Uli Reply
    July 9, 2022 at 1:37 pm

    What’s wrong with identifying the plane by the registration number? Picture shows A7-AEJ, that’s a A330-300.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      July 9, 2022 at 1:43 pm

      Am I blind? Where do you see that?

      • Uli Reply
        July 9, 2022 at 1:49 pm

        Look at the front wheel doors. The last two letters of the registration are written there.

    • Dave D Reply
      July 21, 2022 at 3:26 pm

      That’s where I looked – nose gear doors. And just the length of that fuselage tells me it’s a -300.

      QR only has 6 -200’s, with 5 currently in service. A7-ACK hasn’t flown since a test flight on May 18th.

  5. Greg Reply
    July 9, 2022 at 3:56 pm

    So interesting the short haul ‘first’ class gets the nicer lounge even though there is no business class to buy on those short routes

  6. SMR Reply
    July 9, 2022 at 7:39 pm

    Gerg..they have to compete against EK/EY. That is what it’s all about.

  7. Charlie Wood Reply
    July 10, 2022 at 10:58 am

    I had the same last week, 4 777 Q Suite legs became 2 with one A380 and finally the 330 from DOH-CPT and my initial disappointment was quickly overcome by the much better sleeping position, no cubby hole for your feet!!! Admittedly the seat next to me was the only open one in the cabin but the Qatar service remained undiminished.

  8. jns Reply
    July 10, 2022 at 11:18 am

    SeatGuru says that Qatar Airways has precisely one configuration of a A330 that has 30 business class seats and that configuration is for an A330-300. Since you were downgraded from a first class seat to a business class seat, will you get anything back? Or were the dates and coffee enough?

  9. Bob Reply
    July 11, 2022 at 12:35 am

    I’ve had that swap hit me too – instead of Qsuites to LAX, it was 17 hours of angle lie flat in a 2-2-2 config. That was a huge disappointment.

  10. NEIL M Reply
    July 12, 2022 at 1:13 pm

    I just had a mammoth trip around South Asia, mainly business class. Overall the trip was enjoyable and Qatar was great – right up ro the time my luggage went missing in Doha. Two weeks later they don’t even answer calls. 🙁

  11. Tee Reply
    July 13, 2022 at 12:52 pm

    For those of us who have nutrition requirements, and can’t sleep on aircraft regardless of the seat position, I don’t know why we should read any more of your quaint reviews.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      July 13, 2022 at 12:53 pm

      Yep. I guess you’re visiting the wrong website. Bye.

  12. Len Reply
    July 13, 2022 at 10:35 pm

    Ha! You can tell from the safety instruction card that it’s A330-300. Only Type A Doors. A330-200 has type A and type I.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      July 14, 2022 at 12:55 am

      But then why wouldn’t the safety card just say A330-300?

  13. nunzio Reply
    July 14, 2022 at 7:54 pm

    Qatar Airways marks First Class flights around Middle East and Cairo to give better experience to local passengers that usually pays high fares although in end flying in usual business class and only extra benefits are check in at First Class counters, extra weight baggage and access to Al Safwa lounge

  14. Samantha AnneMarree Reply
    July 15, 2022 at 6:41 am

    Hi Well Looks like it is the best time for Australia and Over seas states that people can do it. And it more freedom to do what everyone could n’t do before for while. So see friends or family to see for while what ever for them.

  15. Nick Reply
    September 9, 2022 at 1:18 pm

    Hi Matthew-
    Have used the e gates at hamad international airport? Was the sign up time truly 2 minutes? Was it worth it?

    I’m seeing articles from July 2 2022 that e gates are now available for foreigners above 18. Families need to go to the immigration counter to complete the process.

  16. DZ Reply
    September 22, 2022 at 5:28 am

    It’s a 333! The reg is Alpha Echo and all AE* are 333 opposed to Alpha Charlies and Alpha Foxtrots which are 332s. and AF* also includes few 333s. But you flew on A7-AEJ and that can only be A333. Then you should look at windows and fuselage and configuration (row 5 business class/means 30J 275Y, so definitely another point for 333). Windows and fuselage also longer than 332, it has 15 in the front, so it’s a 333. And also you should look at the parking strip at the gate, if you look closely it says A333 on the ground/at the gate in AMM jordan. Hope it clears it up for you. Bye bye!

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Hot Deals for June

Note: Please see my Advertiser Disclosure

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 60,000 Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Earn $750 Cash Back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 120,000 Membership Reward® Points

Recent Posts

  • British Airways Fine
    Justified: British Airways Slapped With $1.1 Million Fine From US Government June 2, 2023
  • United Airlines Worldwide Devaluation
    United Airlines MileagePlus Devaluation Spreads Worldwide June 2, 2023
  • American Airlines Flagship First A321
    The Dismal State Of American Airlines Flagship First Class June 1, 2023
  • Delta Toddler Cups
    Dear Delta Air Lines, There Are Better Ways To Promote Sustainability Than Reusable Toddler Cups… June 1, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Punches United Airlines Gate Agent
    Man Repeatedly Punches United Airlines Gate Agent After She Asked Him To Vacate First Class Seat He Poached May 3, 2023
  • American Airlines Pins Cockpit Door
    American Airlines First Class Passenger So Angry Over Meal Choices He Pins Flight Attendant To Cockpit Door May 11, 2023
  • Cursing Fight United Airlines
    “Don’t You Ever Tell Me To Speak English!” (Fight Breaks Out On My United Airlines Flight) May 17, 2023
  • Missed VDB United Airlines
    My Foolish $1,000 Airport Lounge Visit May 16, 2023

Archives

June 2023
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
2627282930  
« May    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

A fabulous flight onboard @qatarairways on the A35 A fabulous flight onboard @qatarairways on the A350-1000 in Qsuite Business Class from DFW-DOH. Qatar offers the best all-around business class product in the world with a spacious suite, plenty of privacy, excellent service, and superb cuisine.
The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

Privacy Policy

© Live and Let's Fly All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Live and Let's Fly with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.