Qatar Airways Business Class Boeing 787

After a spontaneous flight in Qatar Airways Qsuite on the Boeing 777-300ER, I continue the next leg of this trip flying in the Qatar Airways Business Class Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Doha to Lagos, and I must say, it was a journey filled with nothing short of luxurious experiences. A flight to Lagos, Nigeria is not complete without encountering both chaos and drama, but Qatar Airways made this an extraordinary journey.

Returning to the quiet Hamad International Airport at 4am, silence spoke volumes after a sleepless night at our downtown Four Points by Sheraton Hotel. After a smooth immigration clearance taking advantage of the Qatar Airways Premium Check-in benefit, we spent a short time around the most photographed item at the airport, the “Lamp Bear,” taking a few pictures before heading towards the lounge.

Pre Boarding Experience:

We spent some blissful hours at the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge, and I must say the time spent here was well worth it. This exquisite lounge provided a range of amenities, including delightful dining options and serene relaxation areas, setting the stage for a premium travel experience. See the review for full details.

Arriving at Gate C36, where our flight QR1405 was scheduled to depart, we realized the flight was already making its final call, though the aircraft is parked at a remote location and business class passengers have not been boarded yet. As the boarding progressed, we were treated to an impromptu NOLLYWOOD production, starring a cast of impatient passengers flying in coach.

Business class passengers were later chauffeured separately in a luxurious bus to the remote location where the Qatar Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was waiting. As we made our way to the aircraft, I couldn’t help but appreciate the close proximity to other aircrafts including stunning Qatar Airways Airbus A350s.

Boarding:

With the aircraft waiting patiently and the stairs as my grand entrance, I paused for a few seconds, capturing this pre-boarding moment through the lens of my iPhone camera. This was a spontaneous pause that added a touch of adventure to the journey ahead.

As I made my way to seat 2A where I’ll be sitting for the next 8 hours of this flight QR1405 from Doha to Lagos, I was reminded one of the Qatar Airways pillows on the seat saying, “today is a good day.” Yes, indeed. The seat featured a spacious design with ample legroom and the ability to recline into a lie-flat position for a comfortable sleeping experience. 

The cabin is configured in a 1-2-1 layout, ensuring every passenger in business class has a direct-aisle access, as well as privacy and comfort.

Amenities:

The seat had adjustable controls for finding the perfect position, along with a personal reading light, USB and power outlet, a privacy divider, and ample storage space for personal belongings, ensuring convenience throughout the flight.

The entertainment system onboard, which was the same as in Qatar’s QSuite, provided a wide range of options, but I’ve already covered that in a previous review. Qatar Airways ORYXONE noise canceling headphones were also made available at each seat.

Qatar Airways Wi-Fi has a notorious reputation for being spotty, and unfortunately, this flight was no exception. Although most flights offer one hour of free internet access for Privilege Club members, on this flight, only the messenger (chat) option was available for free. However, the allocated 8 megabytes of data wouldn’t even suffice for a few messages.

Awaited at my seat was another exclusive diptyque Paris amenity kit which is exclusively made for Qatar Airways. These coveted kits added a touch of luxury and sophistication to the journey, which made me feel like a pampered traveler on a stylish escapade. Personally, I found the female amenity kit bag to be more luxurious than the standard black leather bag provided for men.

Food and Beverage:

After settling into my seat 2A, I received a warm welcome with a refreshing towel and a glass of the airline’s signature lemon mint drink. Despite the flight being 30 minutes behind schedule, we pushed back at 8:35 am and took off just ten minutes later.

The food and beverage service began shortly after takeoff with the introduction of “So Jennie,” an exquisite alcohol-free pale pink sparkling champagne made from the finest grapes, accompanied by warm nuts. This beverage has become my all-time favorite among all my Qatar Airways flights.

I don’t usually do sushi, especially on a flight, but I was pleasantly surprised by the deliciousness of the “smoked salmon” sushi offered by Qatar Airways as starters. 

As my appetizer, I opted for the Classic Arabic Mezze with Arabic bread, consisting of hummus, baba ghanoush, and tabouleh. Having a candlelight meal on a plane is not something you get from every airline; this is another area where Qatar Airways shines.

The main course was a highlight, as I opted for the mouthwatering Traditional mixed grill with pepper kousa mahshi. The dish showcased a delightful combination of grilled lamb rack, shish taouk, chicken kebab, and beef kofta. The portion size was generous, and the flavors were perfectly seasoned.

Of course, there’s always room for dessert. I treated myself to the Almond Praline Clafoutis with dried apricot and blueberry, which I paired with a fragrant jasmine tea.

In addition to the main meal, trays of assorted snacks and fruits were available at the bar/lounge area located behind the seats in row 5. While this area is nothing like what you’ll find in the likes of Emirates Airlines Onboard Bar or in the Qatar Airways Airbus A380, this social hub is still a nice space for guest to stretch or have a lively conversation with other passengers.

How Does It Compare?

Without a doubt, this Qatar Airways Business Class Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight QR1405 exceeded my previous flight experience in Virgin Atlantic Upper Class from London to Lagos a few months ago. And neither can my United Polaris flight from Lagos to Washington DC can go head-to-head with any of these two flights.

About 4 hours into the flight while cruising at 40,000 feet, we encountered turbulence while flying over South Sudan, which provided a slightly scary experience. Nevertheless, the Boeing 787 aircraft handled it with ease.

Lie-Flat Bed:

Midway through the flight, I decided to relax in bed and watch a movie, hoping to fall asleep quickly. I managed to get a restful three hours of sleep. Although the lie-flat bed was comfortable, the angled design made the seating area a bit claustrophobic. Additionally, the tray table didn’t retract fully, causing occasional bumps with my knees.

Upon awakening, I felt a slight hunger and opted for something from the light options menu. I ordered the Coconut Chicken Open Faced Sandwich, which featured a delightful combination of sweet peppers, compressed melon, and pear. It was a satisfying choice.

I must commend the crew onboard flight QR1405 for their high level of professionalism. Throughout the flight, they remained composed and provided exceptional service.

Booking:

As we began our descent into Lagos, I reflected on the overall experience. Flying with Qatar Airways has been truly remarkable, especially considering that I redeemed only 95,000 Avios for my wife’s flight in Qsuite from Montreal to Doha plus this business class flight to Lagos. While I spent an additional 20,000 Avios for my own booking due to separate reservations, it was still an outstanding value at 115,000 Avios, plus approximately $400 in taxes and fees. 

Our flight touched down at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos at 1:54 pm, and we promptly arrived at the gate after a short taxi.

Conclusion:

Overall, Qatar Airways Business Class on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Doha to Lagos provided us a great experience, surpassing my previous flights on the same route in both Virgin Atlantic Upper Class and United Polaris Business. The opportunity to redeem 95,000 Avios for both my wife’s Qsuite flight from Montreal to Doha and this flight, made it an even more worthwhile experience. As we touched down at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, I concluded the journey with a sense of satisfaction and appreciation for Qatar Airways’ commitment to delivering a memorable travel experience.

Then I heard a voice whispered to me, saying “The Points Engineer, welcome to Nigeria.” Sigh!