Airplane seat reviews by DylanO

I previously posted this review against the 777-300 ER seat plan as there was no Q-suite seat plan for 777-300 ER last year. I flew Business Class on 2 December 2018 from Sydney to Doha and deliberately booked on the 777-300 ER, not my normal choice of aircraft, as I prefer the A380 for long haul, but I was desperate to try the Qsuite, which is yet to be fitted to the A380. Many of Qatars fleet of 777-300ER and 777-200LR have been fitted, but check seat maps and ask if you want to try it, which flights it is available on, because it is definitely worth it; better than many First Class products.

Essentially Qsuite has a 1 - 2 - 1 configuration with 48 suites in Business Class. Suites alternate between forward and rear facing. Rows 1-6 are ahead of the front exit and rows 7 to 11 are behind the second entrance/exit door, so if you are in 1-6 you board separately and dont get disturbed, in 1-11 you still board first but then have all economy boarding through the door ahead of you and coming past. Until take off your sliding door to the suite is locked in the open position. I was in 11B which is a window, left hand side, forward facing and last row before economy class curtain divider. First the pod or suite itself. Simply outstanding, it really is like your own small room with ample bench space, large fold out table with several adjustments. One thing they got right now is the seat pitch, old business you always sat too high and slightly reclined which felt awkward and lifted your feet off the ground, this is flat and straight backed now. One thing I really liked now, is the seat doesn't have a leg extender anymore that raises you feet off the ground, instead the seat slides forward or backward to bring your legs closer to the feet rest. The leg extender always left your legs at an odd angle and still hanging down so no good for DVT on long flights. One thing I wont say I disliked but was a bit annoying, the main storage bin to the left under a cushion is well tucked away but a bit fiddly trying to get the lid open and closed. Then if you have stuff on top of the cushion and want to get into the bin, you have to move it all and the lid gets caught on the seat belt unless you lift it out of the way. But aside from that very comfortable and like a little oasis, especially with the sliding door that fully seals you in.

The seat position itself in 11B, great view of the engine and wing leading edge and despite being near the economy divider curtain, it was ok, didn't notice anything. If you are one of these people though who really prefers no disturbance of curtain being drawn and closed or a family maybe behind you in economy with a young child, then get a seat further forward. The Qsuite though is outstanding and so much better than the old business pods which were still a great product, but now you sit lower and are enclosed and feel very private as you dont see everyone else now, the old seats you sat up very high and could see everyone. I only marked entertainment down slightly as the World Map on this flight was a version with less control than normal.

Service as always impeccable on Qatar and staff exceptional in Business, but that has always been my experience in economy as well with them. I forgot the stewards name serving my section of about 6 people, but he was from Serbia had been with them 2 years, so if you read this, big thanks to you, your manner and service was above and beyond.

Second flight on same day with LOT and on an Embraer, first on E170 then this on E195. Largest aircraft in the family and was about two thirds full. Had considerable delay out of Warsaw as first plane had faults and new aircraft had to be sourced.

As with my review of the E170, I am a big fan of the Embraer. Super compact and sleek design and very neat and tidy inside , with extremely comfortable seats, particularly the thick padding when resting your head.

My seat 21A left hand side window and again ample leg room, comfortable seat, good view of trailing edge and flap operation. No obstructions under seat when stretching out legs as LOT does not have any form of IFE so no clunky boxes under seats. Not many short haul regional aircraft do have IFE as it doesn't make economic sense on short haul.

Service was fine bit nothing out of the ordinary, one paid service for those wanting additional food items and one free service with the basics, tea, coffee, water and a chocolate bar. Cabin staff 50/50, some great and pleasant, others very sour and serious.

Aircraft though was great and a comfortable flight for 90-100mins.

I marked entertainment down only because there was none like many carriers that short hop around places in Europe. I wish Seat Maestro had an N/A category for marking area as some things are genuinely not applicable. If there is no entertainment, you can't say its poor, they just don't have any. If you don't have any food or drink then similarly you can't comment.

Ok so I fly Qatar where I can all the time and fly them a fair bit in last two years. I tried this flight deliberately as it was a 777 and have mainly flown A380 and A350 with Qatar and also to get a morning arrival in Sydney.

I don't often get disappointed with Qatar but this time got annoyed with check in information. When I checked in at Bucharest on my first leg I asked if anyone was next to me on the second leg as I am a big guy, they said no, seats were blocked. I thought great. Got on board window left hand side economy, 17A and find that I do get two people next to me. I said to stewardess could she do something and she apologised and asked cabin manager and they said the front row in the middle of cabin just behind business class dividers was free. I said thanks and moved to 10E aisle seat just behind business class. Seat was excellent for legroom as you can stretch legs right out and also stand easily to stretch if need be. Service was excellent at front of economy getting everything first in that seat and short walk to toilets behind. Only thing is it is a baby row and you may get a young baby who cries all the way. Only problem was this row has the IFE screen in the seat armrest and it folds out and up and doesn't quite sit at the right angle and screen very old and dull.

Rest as usual is exceptional, with the attention to detail from cabin staff spot on. The 777 for me though seems a little old and tired, maybe I just prefer Airbus planes.

As for my A380 reviews, probably last one for BUC-DOH leg on Qatar given frequency I fly it unless something terrible pops up!...so few weeks ago flew in 1F, right side business seat window. Was a bit disappointed I lucked out with an old business fit with the club style red padded chairs, not full lie flat. I pay for Business on Qatar because I think there pods are the best and certainly dont pay for the old style club chairs. I think Qatar should recognise this and for Premium members should compensate somehow or sell the seats at a slightly reduced price. Qatar mixes up its A320 and A321 Business seats and its luck of the draw if you get pod or old style. If it is a concern, check with them to try find out which configuration is on the route. Aside from that, still great flight and service as always, two windows for great view and still comfortable...I have another A321 business in a few days...3K...same leg...fingers crossed for pods but dont like my chances.

Hi..back again for maybe my last review of this plane with Qatar given the frequency I travel on it. I had to do this one though for anybody thinking of doing Business Class and to say avoid 10K. I am not fussy..never have been being ex military and flying in all manner of things and takes a lot for me to say something, but avoid 10K! The one plus is probably getting off first thats it, the rest is downhill. It is in very close proximity to the toilets and galley and the frenetic pace of service and continual in and out and drawing of galley curtains is very noticeable then add the people in and out of toilet; was just non stop. The worst thing though, when looking at your IFE screen, there is a horizontal very bright light in the second galley section right in line with your eyes. I had to keep moving head to the right avoid it as galley curtain not always drawn properly. As in previous reviews, I prefer rear section of Business, quieter and closer to lounge. Service though, exceptional, the hostess I had this time was superb, hats off to her. I only have entertainment 4 stars as it was spoiled by the light directly in eyes.

Back again to review another seat on my 6th flight on a Qatar A380. This time I was automatically seated in the upper deck economy cabin to the rear of the plane, normally reserved for Privilege Club and One World travellers. Seat was left hand window before galley bulkhead. So the cons...window had good view of wing and flap operation which I like to watch...nobody behind me so no pushing IFE all the way...was uninterupted and easy to get in and out...served food first always as it was close to galley...window bins to place items in, very handy and overall more personalised service almost like Premium Economy as smaller cabin. The cons...two seats abreast so trying to sleep or stretch out unless you are 4 foot tall or a contortionist is not possible...cabin I think is substantially noisier than lower deck as you are at the end of the fuselage and receiving the noise from four engines plus the wind rushing along the fuselage is just above your head. Could just be me, but I thought very noticeable given I have been in business ahead of the engines as well and was not as loud. Overall again, I love Qatar Airways and their service is the best out there and will fly them where I can.

Flew the A350 for the first time in January 2017, from DOH-ADELAIDE, so nice to relax in business on a 12 hour flight. Service in business always exceptional and my seat 9A is the last in business before economy class curtain divider and on the left hand side window. So absolutely no problems with the business pod itself, the IFE or the to seat service for drinks and food etc. So lets talk any negatives...you board first through front door but then economy boards through door two rows in front of 9A, so you have 10-15 minutes of people going by, but not too bad. Only downside for me with 9A was the curtain behind separating economy being opened and closed all flight, if you are not asleep or deep in a movie, you will notice it, and aside from the few economy girls who kept sneaking in to pinch fruit and chocolates from the centre bar lol, it was ok! A350 business toilets too are for me much better than on the A380, which are smaller and feel cramped. Only other negatives, being kept in perpetual darkness after departing DOHA to adjust to the sun in the east which comes on quite quickly...I don't like cabin darkness when it is light outside, thats what eye shades are for for those who want dark. Again though, Qatar is my airline of choice and love the service, very very hard to top.