Review: Qatar Airways Business Class Boeing 777-200LR (Seychelles to Doha)

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

I recently enjoyed a wonderful holiday in the Seychelles (one of my favorite travel destinations in the world). You can read my trip reports here:

Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 787-9 Business Class from Frankfurt to Doha
Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Business Class from Doha to the Seychelles
Review: Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island
Review: Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts
Review: Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort
Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Business Class from the Seychelles to Doha (today)
Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 787-9 Business Class from Doha to Frankfurt

Today: Review: Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777 Business Class (Seychelles to Doha)

After my holiday in the Seychelles, I flew back home in Business Class with Qatar Airways. Just as was the case during the outward journey, the return flight from the Seychelles to Doha was operated by a Boeing 777-200LR with the old Business Class cabin (seats in a 2-2-2 layout). Apparently, Qatar Airways primarily flies Boeing 777 aircraft with this old layout to the Seychelles, which is a holiday destination mostly visited by couples, families, and friends (who may prefer a configuration with paired seats over the Qsuite pods). This old Business Class product with a 2-2-2 seat configuration is inferior to the 1-2-1 seat arrangement that the carrier has installed on its other widebody aircraft. Nonetheless, the seat was still very comfortable (albeit with zero privacy) and Qatar Airways’ award-winning soft product made for a great flight experience.

Have you ever flown with Qatar Airways? If so, what is your experience? Leave a comment.

Trip: Seychellen (SEZ) to Doha (DOH)
Airline: Qatar Airways
Aircraft type: Boeing 777-200LR
Aircraft registration number: A7-BBF (built in 2010)
On time departure: yes (6 pm)
On time arrival: yes (9:30 pm)
Flight time: 4 hours and 30 minutes
Seat: 7K
Class: Business Class

In this review (more information & photos below my Youtube clip & slideshow):

1. BUSINESS LOUNGE AT SEYCHELLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Seychelles International Airport features just one Business Lounge, which is located on the first floor of the departure terminal. The lounge has been named Salon Vallée de Mai, after the UNESCO’s protected nature reserve located on the second most populated island of Seychelles, Praslin. The lounge is used by all airlines flying to and from the Seychelles (e.g. Etihad Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Condor, and Ethiopian Airways to name a few).

The rather disappointing lounge is basically one large room with several seating areas of comfy chairs arranged around coffee tables. One side of the lounge has windows looking out over the runway while the other side is home to the toilets as well as small buffet area (with some very mediocre hot and cold dishes on offer). The lounge’s contemporary decor has some tropical touches (e.g. use of bamboo wood), reflecting the natural beauty of the Seychelles islands.

Although the lounge did have clean restrooms, decent WiFi and plenty of seating, the A/C was not working during my visit, which resulted in unbearable hot temperatures. As a result, several guests left the lounge (including myself), as it was a lot more comfortable to spend the pre-flight time in the airconditioned terminal itself.

2. QATAR AIRWAYS’ DIFFERENT BOEING 777 BUSINESS CLASS PRODUCTS

Qatar Airways offers several types of Business Class products on its Boeing 777 fleet (which comprises 92 aircraft with an average age of 10 years):

The majority of Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777s features the carrier’s world-famous Qsuite product, which is the best Business Class product in the sky (read my review here).
On some routes (mainly to and from the Maldives), Qatar Airways uses Boeing 777-300ER aircraft that are leased from Cathay Pacific. These Cathay Pacific Boeing 777s are piloted and staffed by Qatar Airways crew, and the onboard service comprised Qatar Airways’ soft product. You can read my review of this product here.
Some Boeing 777 aircraft still feature the carrier’s old Business Class cabin, with seats in a 2-2-2 layout. These aircraft are mainly flow between Doha and the Seychelles.

3. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN

The Boeing 777-200LR that flew us from the Seychelles to Doha was fitted with Qatar Airways’ old Business Class product and not the more recently introduced Qsuite product. Qatar Airways’ old Business Class product features 42 flat bed seats arranged in a 2-2-2 layout. The 42 seats are spread over two cabins: one larger front cabin with 4 rows of 6 seats (24 seats in total) and a smaller aft cabin with 3 row of 6 seats (18 seats in total).

A positive feature of Qatar Airways’ old Business Class is the feeling of spaciousness felt throughout the cabin, because there is quite some distance between the seats (contrary to most modern Business Class seats where your feet go under the seat in front). However, the negative aspect of this configuration is the lack of direct aisle access for window seat and the total lack of privacy. There is a small divider between adjoining seats at head height but it only extends a few inches if you pull it (so it is rather useless).

QATAR AIRWAYS BOEING 777 BUSINESS CLASS — QATAR AIRWAYS B777 BUSINESS CLASS CABIN

4. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)

Qatar Airways’ old Business Class seat has a pitch of 78 inches (198 cm) and a width of 22 inches (55 cm). The seat is well padded and feels very comfortable in the upright position.

In front of each seat is a 17 inch TV screen (built in the back shelf of the seat in front) as well as good-sized bin below the TV to store some personal items. Next to the bin are two racks to store shoes or small bags as well as a pocket for magazines.

The window armrest (for window seats) or the aisle armrest (for aisle seats) features the controls for the seat position, including a massage function. The other, central armrest – which is shared with the neighboring seat – features a small side table that can be opened to reveal a small storage box with a bottle holder. This armrest also holds the tray table, the power ports as well as a reading light.

At the touch of a button, the seat can recline into a flat bed with a length of 78 inches (198 cm). While the seat technically goes flat, the footrest (which is leather) is slightly lower compared to the rest of the seat, so it doesn’t feel like a proper flat bed.

What are the best Business Class seats?

All Business Class seats are excellent for those traveling with a companion because of the 2-2-2 cabin configuration.
The aft cabin feels a bit more private and intimate (which only 3 rows of 24 seats) compared to the front cabin (which has 4 rows of 18 seats).

What are the worst Business Class seats?

The 2-2-2 Business Class layout does not make the cabin very attractive for solo travelers, since you will always end up sitting next to a stranger.
Window seats don’t have direct aisle access.

5. AMENITIES & BEDDING

Business Class passengers received the following amenities on the Seychelles to Doha flight:

Two pillows: a larger one for lounging and sleeping and a smaller decorative one with a reference to some of the world’s most iconic cities (e.g. Amsterdam, Singapore, etc …)
A plush, burgundy-colored duvet, which felt extremely comfortable.
Oryx One branded noise-isolating headphones.
Dental and shaving kits were stocked in the lavatory during the flight.

6. MEALS

Upon boarding, I was offered a choice of a glass of Champagne, orange juice, water, or Qatar Airways’ signature drank, lemon mint (I choose the latter).

A multi-course dinner was served right after takeoff. In addition, Qatar Airways offers dining-on-demand, so yould can order whatever you want from the menu at any time you liked.

I choose the following selection from the dinner:

Starter: parsley crusted scallops with strawberry coulis, lemon, carrot and orange purée
Main course: pan-fried coastal prawn, salmon and snapper with tomato lemon sauce, parsley rice, broccoli, carrots and cherry tomatoes
Dessert: orange and raspberry mousse with crisp meringue

The food tasted great and the portions were generous.

7. ENTERTAINMENT

Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system is called Oryx One. The system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more.

8. ONBOARD INTERNET

Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777s are equipped with in-flight WiFi. The following WiFi plans were available on this flight:

One hour of complimentary onboard WiFi for member’s of Qatar Airways’ frequent flyer program, Privilege Club.
$10 USD for onboard WiFi for the duration of the flight

9. OTHER INFLIGHT EXPERIENCES

# CREW: Qatar Airways’ Business Class service ranks among the best in the sky. The international Qatar Airways cabin crew members on this particular did a great job and they were all very friendly and helpful. Something I like (and only experience with Middle East and Asian carriers) is that they present themselves individually before take-off, and also thank you in person for choosing Qatar Airways before landing. It makes you feel very special and welcome.

# LAVATORY: Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777-200LR features four lavatories for the 42 Business Class passengers: two lavatories are located behind the cockpit and two lavatories in the galley between the two Business Class cabins. The lavatories are stocked with dental and shaving kits.