Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 787-8 Business Class (EVN-DOH)
EVN-DOH
QR 286
Depart: 3:45AM
Arrive: 5:45AM
Duration: 2 hours
Seat: 3K
Coming back home from Armenia to San Francisco require me to choose a layover in Doha or Paris. Since I enjoy the products of Qatar Airways better than Air France, I decided to route through Qatar.
What’s interesting about Yerevan to Doha route during the time I took the flight was the fact that the Airbus A350 was used, which mean it could’ve been a QSuite flight. But, it was swapped last minute to the Boeing 787-8 that includes lie-flat in Business Class. Still, it’s good enough for this route as it normally uses Airbus A320 that only reclines.
Qatar Airways Boeing 787-8 Business Class- Booking
I booked this Business Class fare for $1800 that also includes the connection from Doha to San Francisco! This kind of deal is quite common for the EVN-DOH-SFO route, so going back to the US after the Caucasus trip can be the most pleasant from Armenia rather than Azerbaijan or Georgia!
Qatar Airways Boeing 787-8 Business Class- Check-in & Boarding
I got to the airport from the Holiday Inn Yerevan Republic Square at 1am with Yandex Taxi. Even during these hours, the airport was pretty crowded. Business Class helps speed up the check-in process, and there’s even a line for Business Class passengers in EVN to go through passport control and security check.
Before my flight, I waited inside EVN’s sole lounge.
Unfortunately, boarding has been delayed for almost an hour, but thankfully the flight did not cause further issue towards my connecting flight.
Qatar Airways Boeing 787-8 Business Class- Seats
The Business Class in the Boeing 787-8 has a 1-2-1 seat configuration. There’s a counter that serves as a divider between Row 1-5 and Row 6.
The Boeing 787-8 has a weird layout on Row 6 behind the counter that’s set up in-between the lavatories in both sides, and not as well lit as Row 1-5. It looks to be the most private row, but you may pay for it in lingering toilet smell?
I assigned myself to Seat 3K that faces the window. The seat is quite similar to the lie-flat version on Airbus A320. There’s generous amount of surface tops in all of the Business Class seats. They’re fantastic for a short flight.
Qatar Airways Boeing 787-8 Business Class- Meal Service
Meal service took place, but I did not partake due to the weird hours, and I wanted to get some sleep. But, I took pictures of the breakfast and drinks menu.
Qatar Airways Boeing 787-8 Business Class- Lavatory
Lavatory is pretty standard, but comes with a window for outside view and Diptyque toiletries.
Conclusion
Overall, despite the delay on boarding, the flight went smooth and the lie-flat was appreciated for some long nap before my next flight back to San Francisco. Below is an amazing picture of sunrise as we were landing to DOH.
It’s interesting to have lie-flat on such a short route that’s not within the Gulf territories. But it’s not guaranteed for EVN-DOH and plane swaps can happen last minute.
