• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  A330 • OneWorld • Qatar Airways • Trip Reports  >  Review: Qatar Airways A330 Business Class Ho Chi Minh City to Doha
A330OneWorldQatar AirwaysTrip Reports

Review: Qatar Airways A330 Business Class Ho Chi Minh City to Doha

Matthew Klint Posted onDecember 22, 2017December 22, 2017 7 Comments

Qatar Airways proved once again that it offers the most well-rounded and perhaps the best overall business class product in the world.

This is the first of four segments on the incredible $672 Qatar Airways fare sale I took advantage of earlier this year.

Knowing there would be no wi-fi on the flight, I frantically spent the four hours prior to boarding in the Apricot Lounge getting as much of the day’s work done as I could.

I proceeded to the boarding gate about 10 minutes before posted boarding time, but the flight had already begun boarding.

Qatar Airways 665
Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) – Doha (DOH)
Friday, October 20
Depart: 07:30PM
Arrive: 11:35PM
Duration: 8hr 05min
Aircraft: Airbus A330-300
Seat: 5J (Business Class)

Onboard, I was greeted by a smiling FA from South Korea and directed to my seat in 5J.

Qatar Airways A330 Business Class Seat

The Qatar Airways A330 business class seat is identical to the seat on the A340 I reviewed last summer. You can see daytime pictures of the seat here.

The cabin is laid out 2-2-2 and the seats are similar to what you find on United Dreamliners, American A321Ts, and many other airlines in business class. Thus, window seats do not have direct aisle access, but are quite comfortable in upright, semi-reclined, and lie-flat mode.

The window seat cubby hole for your feet is a bit more spacious than the aisle one. Be warned that it is a bit tight, though did not bother me because I generally sleep in a fetal position.

A shelf includes a reading light, literature rack, and water-bottle holder.

Seat controls are fully electronic. A power port is available in the console between seats.

Qatar offers excellent bedding onboard its longhaul flights and the soft blanket and plush pillow helped me to have a restful snooze after finishing dinner.

Qatar Airways A330 Business Class On-Demand Dining

My favorite part of flying Qatar is the on-demand dining menu. I love the ability to customize what you want to eat and when you want to eat. For this flight, I boarded hungry and opted to eat immediately after takeoff.

Here’s the a la carte menu–

Click here for a full wine/alcohol/beverage selection (menu has not changed).

Moving back for a moment, I enjoyed a delicious Rosé Champagne prior to takeoff along with my choice of a hot or cold towel.

After takeoff, I enjoyed a large bowl of nuts (including pistachios) along with a glass of fresh lemon/mint juice.

Shortly thereafter, the table was set for dinner.

The table setting included a bread bowl with three types of breads.

Every items was carefully placed in the right position, attention to detail I appreciated.

First, each passenger was offered an amuse bouche including crab meat with a dollop of avocado and a spicy salsa. Very tasty.

Next, a bowl of tomato soup: the food item I have probably had more than any other one ever the years on Qatar. As usual, it was superb.

For my appetizer, I chose Arabic Mezze with hummus, tabbouleh, and baba ganoush. It hit the spot.

For my main course, I ordered pan-fried breaded chicken, served with pasta in marinara sauce. It was not a very creative dish, but sometimes simple comfort food is best and it was also delicious.

Finally, I ordered a trio of desserts including vanilla ice cream and a chocolate + ginger tart. Once again…it was incredible, especially considering it had been likely sitting in a refrigerator for 12 hours and was served 40K feet in the air. Additionally, I ordered a cappuccino which was delivered in a styrofoam cup because the fasten seatbelt light came on.

The Lady Across the Aisle from Me

Funny and true story. The woman sitting across the aisle from me acted like she had never eaten before. It was a little Vietnamese lady who must have been at least 70 years old, but who ordered four main courses plus all the appetizers and polished all of it down!

I fell asleep before dinner and awoke about 45 minutes prior to landing (the FA had to nudge me awake) still very full from the larger dinner. The lady across the aisle from me was eating again…

Qatar Airways A330 Business Class Service

I’d rate service a 6/10. Every member of the staff was courteous, but not proactive. I was never addressed by name during the flight. Each passenger was on their own in terms of making their bed and it took a bit too long for FAs to clear dishes after the meal service. Finally, drink levels were not monitored, meaning my glass was empty for much of the meal. Even when I asked for a drink, my neighbor (whose glass was also empty) was not offered a refill.

So did this dampen the whole experience? In a way, yes, but this was not the sort of hostility you often encounter on U.S. airlines. Quite the opposite, the crew seemed genuinely nice…just a bit too busy trying to keep a cabin full of dine-on-demand passengers happy.

I’m not the first one to offer this sort of commentary on Qatar cabin crews, yet I still would rate this an excellent flight. Why? Excellent seat, food, IFE, and good service overall.

Qatar Airways A330 Business Class Wi-Fi and IFE

The A330-300 is not currently equipped with wi-fi, meaning I actually got to take a break during the flight. Although I spent most of the flight sleeping, I did watch a movie during the meal service and was impressed by the wide selection of movies (100+), TV shows, games, and music offered onboard.

The noise-cancelling headphones also worked quite well and were comfortable around the ears:

Qatar Airways A330 Business Class Amenity Kits

It was breast cancer awareness month and all amenity kits, provisioned by BRICS, were pink.

Contents included skincare products from Monte Vibiano as well as pink socks, earplugs, and a pink eyeshade.

Qatar Airways A330 Business Class Pajamas

Qatar also provides excellent pajamas in business class from The White Company. Soft and roomy, I took them home with me. Slippers are also provisioned.

CONCLUSION

It is true that Qatar Airways does not offer the best onboard service, even among Gulf Carriers. Even so, the whole package makes Qatar one of my favorite (if not my favorite) overall business class product.

Next up: two hours in Doha then DOH to JFK onboard an A350 in Business Class.

Previous Article First Impressions of Turkish Airlines 777-300ER Business Class
Next Article Is U.S. Biometric Exit Program Constitutional?

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

  • Review: Royal Jordanian Crown Lounge Amman (AMM)

    February 14, 2023
  • Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge Review

    Review: Qatar Airways First Class Al Safwa Lounge

    January 25, 2023
  • Oneworld lounge LAX review

    Review: Oneworld Lounge Los Angeles (LAX)

    January 12, 2023

7 Comments

  1. BaliLoverNL Reply
    December 22, 2017 at 6:45 pm

    Great review. Thanks for your expert opinion.

    I’m out of work and twice divorced, but one day I hope to be able to afford such a trip. I love SE Asia.

  2. JoeMart Reply
    December 22, 2017 at 8:05 pm

    It takes a sensitive soul to observe a senior citizen enjoying their meal. She probably fasted until the jitters of getting on-time to the airport and taking off subsided.

    The crew treated the flight as a sleep prioritized one and concentrated on serving quickly the cabin instead of personalized service.

    • Ms. M Reply
      August 20, 2019 at 1:43 am

      Ha, that’s just what I was thinking, sans the jitters – I’m a small-boned, thin female, but as a faster, I can out-eat a large man in my once-a-day meal. I’d be the one saying ‘bring me all the vegetarian options you have please, and can you please also serve my breakfast at the same time, and yes, I’ll have all the deserts’, and then, I’m done for the next 22ish hours 😀

  3. Jerry Reply
    December 22, 2017 at 9:43 pm

    Happiness is a long evening in J on QR.

    Though I would have loved if you would have held the contest to give away the pink QR amenity kit. Those are pretty rare!

    • Matthew Reply
      December 23, 2017 at 2:00 am

      Maybe that will be next!

  4. Dave Reply
    December 23, 2017 at 5:37 am

    Do you see a couple of Korean FAs as well on this route? I just came back this Tuesday

    • Matthew Reply
      December 23, 2017 at 7:14 am

      One of the FAs on my flight was from South Korea.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • Avianca 787-8 Business Class Review
    Review: Avianca 787-8 Business Class March 20, 2023
  • Color Blind Pilot Sues United Airlines For Firing Him March 20, 2023
  • Ryanair Twitter
    Ryanair Savagely Trolls Passenger On Twitter March 20, 2023
  • hyatt all-inclusive hyatt zilara rose hall
    Hyatt Acquisition Provides Hints About All-Inclusive Future March 19, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • American Airlines unaccompanied Minor Predator
    American Airlines Flight Attendant Freaks Out After Man Offers His First Class Seat To Child February 25, 2023
  • United Airlines Polaris Lounge Chicago Review
    Review: United Polaris Lounge Chicago (ORD) February 21, 2023
  • Bankman-Fried Alaska Airlines
    Poor Sam Bankman-Fried “Downgrades” From American Airlines Business Class To Alaska Airlines First Class February 20, 2023
  • There’s A Pilot In My Seat! February 21, 2023

Archives

March 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Feb    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

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! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.