I had reviewed this route just over three months prior, though the flight was earlier in the day and was operated by an Airbus A330. So I figured it would be worth writing a review, since this flight was operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, and it was my first time flying Qatar’s version of the aircraft.
Qatar 1302
Cairo (CAI) – Doha (DOH)
Wednesday, January 14
Depart: 6:40PM
Arrive: 10:40PM
Duration: 3hr
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Seat: 4B (Business Class)
We boarded through door 2L, where we seemed to catch the crew a bit off guard. We had the business class cabin to ourselves for about 15 minutes, since the business class bus was taking its time.
I was especially excited to finally fly Qatar Airways’ 777, since that’s the only airplane which Qatar Airways flies to North America. So if you’re flying Qatar Airways business class to North America, this will be the product.
I should also quickly clarify that Qatar Airways markets their forward cabin on flights within the Middle East as first class, even though they’re the same business class seats offered on longhaul flights. In theory the service is better on flights within the Middle East, though unfortunately Qatar Airways recently downgraded first class catering within the Middle East, so that’s no longer really the case.
Anyway, Qatar Airways has reasonably large business class cabins on the 777-300ER. Business class features fully flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration. There are four rows of business class seats in the forward cabin (for a total of 24 seats), and then three rows of business class seats in the rear cabin (for a total of 18 seats). That means there are 42 business class seats spread across the two cabins.
Qatar Airways 777-300ER business class cabin
As far as forward facing business class seats go, these are about as good as they get. They’re in a 2-2-2 configuration, meaning there are no middle seats. And they are fully flat, which is great.
If you’re traveling with someone I think it’s tough to beat this type of configuration. If you’re not traveling with someone, I tend to think it’s really advantageous not to have a seatmate, especially on a longhaul flight. For what it’s worth, the privacy shields between seats aren’t that great.
Nonetheless for a short-haul flight this is a great product, while for a longhaul flight it’s average at best (fortunately Qatar has a better business class product on their A350, A380, and 787).
Qatar Airways 777-300ER business class cabin
Qatar Airways 777-300ER business class seats
Qatar Airways 777-300ER business class seats
I was assigned seat 4B, which is an aisle seat on the left side of the aircraft in the last row of the forward cabin.
Qatar Airways 777-300ER business class seats
The seat width is quite good, and the aisles are nice and wide. Furthermore, waiting at each seat was a comfy pillow.
Qatar Airways 777-300ER business, seat 4B
There’s also tons of legroom. I do sort of prefer seats which have ottomans, since you can put up your feet in a more “traditional” manner without feeling like you’re in a dentist’s chair.
Qatar Airways 777-300ER business class seats
Anyway, once settled in the crew offered us some pre-departure champagne. Unfortunately the champagne had already been downgraded from Krug to Lanson, which puts this flight in line with what they serve on other routes in business class.
The seat has an interesting center console, whereby the cover moves over to create a drink tray and also to reveal a bottle holder, where I found a bottle of water (shocker… I know!).
Qatar Airways business class pre-departure champagne
The business class cabin quickly began to fill up, mostly with Egyptian passengers. During the boarding process the crew was efficient with drink refills, and I think we got in four rounds of champagne before the door closed.
During the boarding process menus and wine lists were distributed in leather folders, and shortly thereafter the meal orders were taken.
At 6:40PM the crew announced that boarding was complete, and about five minutes later we began our taxi to the runway.
At that point Qatar Airways’ safety video began to play, which is one of the most well produced safety videos of any airline, if you ask me. 😉
Qatar Airways safety video
We had a roughly 15 minute taxi to the runway, at which point we were immediately cleared for takeoff.
Our climb out was smooth, and about 10 minutes after takeoff the seatbelt sign was turned off. Shortly thereafter the captain came on the PA to inform us of our flight time of 2hr35min, which he anticipated would put us into Doha on schedule.
Qatar Airways airshow enroute from Cairo to Doha
Qatar Airways airshow enroute from Cairo to Doha
Given that this is a fairly short flight and Qatar has a proper multi-course dinner service, the crew was quite busy. For what it’s worth, the crew members were mostly Indian and Filipino. As I find to be the norm on Qatar, they mostly just seemed to be going through the motions. While they weren’t rude or anything, they were focused exclusively on efficiency, and I didn’t sense any “warmth” from them.
The dinner menu read as follows:
And the beverage/wine list read as follows:
Service began with some more champagne, accompanied by the “palate pleaser,” which was a tasty chicken and bell pepper terrine.
Qatar Airways first class dinner palate pleaser — chicken and bell pepper terrine
Qatar Airways first class dinner palate pleaser — chicken and bell pepper terrine
After that I had the Moroccon vegetable harira soup, which was delicious (despite the underwhelming presentation).
Qatar Airways first class dinner soup — Moroccon vegetable harira soup
Qatar Airways first class dinner soup — Moroccon vegetable harira soup
I was offered a bread basket to accompany it. Personally I prefer just being offered bread out of a bigger bread basket, since the selection of rolls wasn’t especially exciting (garlic and pretzel bread, please!).
Qatar Airways first class dinner — bread basket
For the starter I had the Arabic mezze, which was good but simple.
Qatar Airways first class dinner starter — classic Arabic mezze
Meanwhile my friend had the beef kibbeh.
Qatar Airways first class dinner starter — beef kibbeh
For the main course I had the filo parcel. It was freaking delicious.
Qatar Airways first class dinner main course — oven baked filo parcel of mushrooms herb and cheese
My friend had the lamb.
Qatar Airways first class dinner main course — Arabic spiced lamb and okra stew
For dessert I had the Laduree tart, which was as tasty as it was stylish. You’ve gotta love that Qatar Airways even brands their desserts.
Qatar Airways first class dinner dessert — Laduree Plaisir sucre
Then to finish off the meal I was offered a box of Godiva chocolates.
Qatar Airways first class dessert — Godiva chocolate
I mean, seriously, does catering on such a short flight get better than that? The crew was really efficient, though not the most charming I’ve had.
By the time the meal was done the captain came on the PA to give us updated arrival information, estimating we’d touch down at 10:35PM, and be at the gate on schedule.
I quickly headed to the lavatory, which was located between the two business class cabins. It was a good size, though didn’t have any special amenities (not that I’d expect any for such a short flight).
Qatar Airways 777-300ER lavatory
Qatar Airways 777-300ER lavatory
Sure enough we touched down in Doha at 10:35PM, and were at the gate at 10:40PM sharp. From there we were off to the Al Mourjan Lounge for a glass (or two) of Krug!
Qatar Airways 777-300ER bottom line
Qatar Airways offers an unbeatable product on their short-haul flights. It’s tough to beat an amazing meal and flat bed on a 2hr35min flight. As usual, the service on Qatar was efficient though not very sincere-seeming.
I wouldn’t mind flying Qatar Airways’ 777 to the US, though ideally with a friend, as there’s otherwise not much privacy between seats.
If you’ve flown Qatar’s 777s, what was your experience like?
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