Trip to Kazakhstan in Lufthansa First Class and Dubai to Stockholm in Qatar Airways Business Class
A few weeks ago, I traveled to Kazakhstan for the first time where I spent two nights in the capital city of Astana. I flew from Dubai to Astana via Frankfurt (and back) in Lufthansa First Class using my miles and needless to say, it was one of the best trips I've ever had. I had a separate ticket on Qatar Airways between Stockholm and Dubai where I flew in economy class on the outbound and business class on the inbound. My business class ticket on Qatar Airways from Dubai gave me the chance to visit their newly opened lounge which was really nice, as well as that of British Airways'. This whole trip lasted for a week and eventhough it was very extensive, I loved every single minute of it!
Photoreview: Lufthansa Business Class Lounge, Dubai T1 Concourse D (DXB)
Review: Lufthansa Senator Lounge, Dubai T1 Concourse D (DXB)
Review: Lufthansa First Class, Dubai-Frankfurt
Photoreview: Lufthansa First Class Lounge, Concourse A Schengen (FRA)
Review: Lufthansa First Class, Frankfurt-Astana
Top Attractions in Kazakhstan
Review: Hilton Garden Inn Astana
Review: Astana Airport Transit Hotel
Review: Lufthansa First Class Astana-Frankfurt
Photoreview: Lufthansa Welcome Lounge, Frankfurt (FRA)
Review: Lufthansa First Class, Frankfurt-Dubai
Review: Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Muraqabat
Photoreview: British Airways Galleries Club, Dubai T1 Concourse D (DXB)
Photoreview: Qatar Airways Dubai Premium Lounge, Dubai T1 Concourse D (DXB)
Review: Qatar Airways First Class, Dubai-Doha
Review: Qatar Airways Dreamliner Business Class, Doha-Stockholm
Qatar Airways Dreamliner, seat 5K
Flight: QR 169
Departure time, DOH: 1:00
Arrival time, ARN: 6:10
Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Seat: 5K
Duration: 6h 10m
Date of flight: September 14, 2016
*Revenue Ticket, Business Class flight #111
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge
For my lay over in Doha, I spent most of the time in the gorgeous Al Mourjan Lounge. Fortunately, they had some available quiet rooms when I arrived so I was able to have a few hours sleep.
Aircraft, Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Boarding, gate C20
Boarding started around 12:10am but only for economy class passengers as the limousine bus for business class passengers had some problems. I waited for 20 minutes more and when our bus still hadn't arrived, I decided to take the normal bus instead.
My Qatar Airways mobile boarding pass
Cabin
Qatar Airways Dreamliner business class cabin
I've previously flown on this same aircraft so I won't be covering the seat features in detail. The cabin was actually quite full, with only 7 seats empty on that evening flight to Stockholm. As I boarded, I was welcomed by one of the female flight attendants who escorted me to my seat.
Seat
My seat 5K!
To the left of my seat were the headphones and the bottle of water.
Qatar Airways Dreamliner personal screen
From the movie selection, I ended up watching "Angry Birds". Unfortunately, the volume from the headphones was too loud even if I had set it to the lowest level.
Headphones and entertainment controls
Inflight magazines, ORYX, safety on board card, etc.
Window dimming controls
A few moments after settling in, I was welcomed by Ricardo, a very charming flight attendant from Chennai who then offered me a predeparture drink and my choice of towel. He came back moments later with my glass of apple juice and a hot towel. The menu card and winelist was also offered.
I was also offered some sleeper suite and an amenity kit consisting of products from Armani. It is interesting to note that they only offer pyjamas on night flights so on the morning flights from Doha to Stockholm, pyjamas will not be offered.
Qatar Airways business class blanket
A few minutes later, Jay-an, the CSD from South Korea came to my seat to welcome us onboard and to advise us of our flight time of 5 hours and 50 minutes.
Newspapers were also offered but I declined.
By 1am, the safety video started to play and a few minutes later, we started our pushback from the gate. Take off went smoothly and moments later, we were airborne.
Dining
Qatar Airways business class menu card and wine list
Late night dining menu
Light breakfast menu
Champagnes on board were Billecart-Salmon Brut and Drappier
Minutes after the seatbelt sign was off, the flight attendants started preparing for the meal service. Ricardo came to take my meal order and moments later, I was served my usual apple juice with some nuts.
Then, it was time to set the table.
I thought I'd start with the Miso Soup which was fantastic.
For my main course, I chose the "Lamb Loin with Herb Crust and Rosemary Juice" which was also very good.
Hazelnut and Salted Caramel Tart
To end my meal, I had some desserts and a cup of green tea. I was already full so I skipped the cheese.
As usual, a hot towel and a Valrhona chocolate was distributed to end the service.
Self-serve Bar
Qatar Airways self-serve bar with champagne and some fruits.
Opposite the self-serve bar, there's a display of international magazines.
Toilet & Lavatory
Inside the lavatory were the usual toothbrush/toothpaste, razor/shaving cream and Rituals handcream and cologne spray.
Amazing view from my seat.
Breakfast
I woke up with about an hour and a half before landing and decided to have some fruits and skip the scrambled eggs with fillet of beef which would have been otherwise served together with a choice of Arabic breakfast or continental breakfast.
Airshow enroute Stockholm Arlanda Airport
The captain came on the PA 35 minutes before landing to give us some flight arrival informations like the weather in Stockhom which was 11 degrees and that we would be starting our descent in 5 minutes.
Landing at Arlanda Airport
We landed at Stockholm Arlanda Airport around 6:15am, 5 minutes behind schedule. As usual, I was one of the first passengers to disembark. My baggage was also one of the first ones to arrive at belt 6 eventhough the priority luggage tag was missing.
CONCLUSION
Qatar Airways' business class product and service has been pretty much consistent. They offer one of the best dining experience in the sky, they have one of the coolest amenity kits for business class, and they have a seat that turns into a fully flat bed (at least on their 787s and A380s). They truly are worthy to be a 5-star airline! And of course, the flight attendants were fantastic as always. To all the crew on this flight, "Shukran!"
Related Posts:
Review: Emirates Business Class, Dubai-Stockholm
Review: Japan Airlines Boeing 787, Bangkok-Osaka
A few weeks ago, I traveled to Kazakhstan for the first time where I spent two nights in the capital city of Astana. I flew from Dubai to Astana via Frankfurt (and back) in Lufthansa First Class using my miles and needless to say, it was one of the best trips I've ever had. I had a separate ticket on Qatar Airways between Stockholm and Dubai where I flew in economy class on the outbound and business class on the inbound. My business class ticket on Qatar Airways from Dubai gave me the chance to visit their newly opened lounge which was really nice, as well as that of British Airways'. This whole trip lasted for a week and eventhough it was very extensive, I loved every single minute of it!
Photoreview: Lufthansa Business Class Lounge, Dubai T1 Concourse D (DXB)
Review: Lufthansa Senator Lounge, Dubai T1 Concourse D (DXB)
Review: Lufthansa First Class, Dubai-Frankfurt
Photoreview: Lufthansa First Class Lounge, Concourse A Schengen (FRA)
Review: Lufthansa First Class, Frankfurt-Astana
Top Attractions in Kazakhstan
Review: Hilton Garden Inn Astana
Review: Astana Airport Transit Hotel
Review: Lufthansa First Class Astana-Frankfurt
Photoreview: Lufthansa Welcome Lounge, Frankfurt (FRA)
Review: Lufthansa First Class, Frankfurt-Dubai
Review: Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Muraqabat
Photoreview: British Airways Galleries Club, Dubai T1 Concourse D (DXB)
Photoreview: Qatar Airways Dubai Premium Lounge, Dubai T1 Concourse D (DXB)
Review: Qatar Airways First Class, Dubai-Doha
Review: Qatar Airways Dreamliner Business Class, Doha-Stockholm
Flight: QR 169
Departure time, DOH: 1:00
Arrival time, ARN: 6:10
Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Seat: 5K
Duration: 6h 10m
Date of flight: September 14, 2016
*Revenue Ticket, Business Class flight #111
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge
Aircraft, Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Boarding, gate C20
Cabin
I've previously flown on this same aircraft so I won't be covering the seat features in detail. The cabin was actually quite full, with only 7 seats empty on that evening flight to Stockholm. As I boarded, I was welcomed by one of the female flight attendants who escorted me to my seat.
Seat
From the movie selection, I ended up watching "Angry Birds". Unfortunately, the volume from the headphones was too loud even if I had set it to the lowest level.
A few minutes later, Jay-an, the CSD from South Korea came to my seat to welcome us onboard and to advise us of our flight time of 5 hours and 50 minutes.
Newspapers were also offered but I declined.
To end my meal, I had some desserts and a cup of green tea. I was already full so I skipped the cheese.
Self-serve Bar
Toilet & Lavatory
Breakfast
The captain came on the PA 35 minutes before landing to give us some flight arrival informations like the weather in Stockhom which was 11 degrees and that we would be starting our descent in 5 minutes.
Landing at Arlanda Airport
CONCLUSION
Qatar Airways' business class product and service has been pretty much consistent. They offer one of the best dining experience in the sky, they have one of the coolest amenity kits for business class, and they have a seat that turns into a fully flat bed (at least on their 787s and A380s). They truly are worthy to be a 5-star airline! And of course, the flight attendants were fantastic as always. To all the crew on this flight, "Shukran!"
Related Posts:
Review: Emirates Business Class, Dubai-Stockholm
Review: Japan Airlines Boeing 787, Bangkok-Osaka