Qatar Airways – DOH to MLE (QR672 & QR677) [B777-300] in Business Class – Review (Doha to Male, Maldives and back)

Flight: Doha to Male (Maldives) and back

Airline: Qatar Airways

Flight Number: QR672 & QR677

Plane: Boeing 777-300ER

Cabin: Business Class

Seat: 12A

This Flight

This is my review of my return trip from Doha to Male (Maldives) and back. Having previously flown the same route with British Airways, I decided that I wouldn’t be flying with them again after a poor service – so chose to go via Doha!

QR672 leaves for Male at 01:20, but there is a QR676 which leaves for Male at 01:05, and are both on the Boeing 777-300. The flights land in Male at 07:50 and 08:05 respectively. Unfortunately, on my flight both the 672 and 676 had Gates next to each other, which meant a bit of confusion between passengers!

On the return, I am not sure what time the earlier flight leaves – but my QR677 left at 09:40 and landed in Doha at 12:35.

In the case of both of the Doha/Male legs, they are operated by the rather dated leased Cathay Pacific 777-300’s – more about that later!

Checking In and Boarding

My trip from Doha to Male was already pre-ticketed, so I simply re-checked through Security and walked to the gate.

Heading back from Male was a bit rushed as the Seaplane was late getting to the Seaplane terminal. Luckily someone from the Seaplane company escorted us all the way to the check in desks, where were had priority lines to the Passport and Security checks.

Once through Security, we headed straight for the Gate, as it was said boarding was happening immediately.

Sadly, this didn’t quite happen, and we sat in a hot bus (with no AC) for about 10 minutes. This was then driven to the plane, where we waited for around 40 minutes once the passengers were boarded. Eventually the plane pushed back (early) around 9:30.

Although it was nice to be early for a change, it probably would have been nicer to have waited a bit longer in the lounge.

The Lounge

The lounge in Male used by Qatar Airways is the Leeli Lounge. This is also used by British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Sriklankan Airlines – my review of that is here.

As I mentioned above, because we were told the flight was boarding we didn’t go to the lounge on this occasion.

The Plane

Both of my flights were on Cathay Pacific’s leased Boeing 777-300’s – in fact it was the same aircraft. The short story behind this is that Qatar Airways found themselves in an argument with Airbus over A350’s, and consequently found themselves short of aircraft. So, they leased some 777’s from Cathay Pacific. Sadly, these seem to be the more tatty aircraft.

The aircraft has 6 x First Class seats, 53 x Business Class seats, 34 x Premium Economy seats and 201 Economy seats. I am not sure how First Class or Premium is sold or advertised on these aircraft, as they are not services Qatar otherwise provide on their 777’s.

The Seat

Not only was I on the same aircraft for both flights, but I had selected the same seat too!

Having flown Cathay Pacific a number of times, I was familiar with the layout of the seat, which is actually virtually identical to the American Airlines Flagship Business Class – which I have reviewed here.

The good points are that generally there is a good amount of space, decent storage, the seat is comfortable – even if you are very tall!

The less good points are that this was an old aircraft, and everything appeared to be stuck together with tape and silicone!

The tattiness aside, this was generally a very comfortable seat, and I’d be happy to be flying in it for much longer than this 4hr flight.

Food and Drink

Qatar Airways sort of offer pre-selection of food. Seemingly long-distance flights from Doha do allow it. But unfortunately on neither of these Male flights food could be pre-selected, other than special dietary requests.

Drinks

Drinks were the same on both flights, with a good menu and a variety of drinks offered.

Prior to take off ‘anything you wanted’ was available off the drinks menu – so I went for rose champagne.

After takeoff, I decided to have a beer, which was served with nuts. I am glad to say Qatar Airways have ‘good’ beer, including Stela, Budweiser and Leffe.

Qatar Airways do offer an excellent wine list, including the newly added Whispering Angel wine.

Food

On the Doha to Male flight, this was over night, so offered both dinner and breakfast.

On the menu included;

• Tasting menu
• Soup
• Croque Monsieur
• Salmon Crumpet
• Granola
• Breakfast cereal

I don’t really ‘do’ breakfast, so went for the tasing plate. On the tasting plate included sushi, hummus, soup, seafood pie, cheese and a brownie. I didn’t eat everything, as I don’t each fish – but I enjoyed what I had, and thought it was a really nice and different food option!

On the Male to Doha flight, I have to say that I was slightly surprised to find only ‘lunch’ served. Given how early the flight was, I thought there may have been breakfast offerings too.

The food offering was;

• Soup
• Arabic Mezze (Starter)
• Chicken (Starter)
• Grilled fillet of beef (Main)
• Stuffed chicken breast (Main)
• Tortelini (Main)

Deserts on offer were;

• Chocolate and berry torte
• Fresh fruit tart
• Fruit platter

I decided to skip the starters and went for the beef and the had the torte for desert. Both were excellent – especially the beef!

Towards the end of both flights, chocolates were handed out – which is a nice touch.

Amenities Kit

The Doha to Male flight did have a (very small) Amenities Kit. Inside the Amenities Kit was;

• Socks
• Eye mask
• Ear plugs

Yes, that’s it!

There was no Amenities Kit offered for the Male to Doha flight.

Wifi

Wifi was available for both flights, at the price of $10.

Because these were relatively short flights, I chose not to purchase the Wifi. With that said, I have been on many American Airlines flights of the same length, and they have sought to charge closer to $30 – so $10 is definitely very reasonable!

Entertainment

It’s always been my experience that Qatar Airways’ entertainment is extremely generous.

There are literally hours and hours of music (often multiple albums of the same bands), which is great. On this flight there were about 6 albums by The Eagles and 4 or 5 by Aerosmith. Plus loads of live concerts, etc.

There also seem to be lots of films, TV and other entertainment.

Headphones are offered as per of the package. Often, I use headphones to save getting mine out. I find the Oryx headphones to be decent – and unlike American Airlines, they’re not demanded back 90 minutes before landing!

Cabin Crew

Generally speaking, the Cabin Crew from Qatar Airways are excellent.

On both of my flights the Cain Crew were brilliant, very attentive, gave personal introductions, were quick to refill my drinks – nothing was every too much trouble!

In fact, on my flight to Male, the cabin crew were so attentive that I had a refill of my beer that I didn’t actually want – not that I turned it down!

Landing

Landing into both Male and Doha was very easy.

Landing into Male there the was a ‘Business Class bus’ waiting to take us to the terminal. Once all the Business Class passengers had boarded, the bus whisked us off to immigration where we waited for less than 1 minute. Cases came out within 10 minutes – and it was off to the seaplane terminal!

Landing into Doha was even easier. Once off the plane (no bus this time), it was through connections to do security again – and straight off to the lounge!

One thing that can’t be ignored is some of the spectacular views you get when flying in and out of Male! A few pictures below!

Conclusion

Male and the Maldives is a very special place to go to – and flying with Qatar Airways and experiencing world-class service makes the trip that much more special!

It’s a real shame about the tatty plane and stuck-together interior – but the service ultimately made up for it.

No doubt in time, the leased 777’s will go back, and be replaced with the new A350’s – and this trip would be perfect!