Qatar Airways 787-8 Dreamliner Business Class: My Doha to Vienna Experience
There is something exciting about starting a European trip with a Business Class flight — especially when you're flying from Doha with Qatar Airways.
For the beginning of my Vienna trip, I flew from Doha to Vienna in Qatar Airways Business Class on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
I've previously experienced Qatar Airways' famous Qsuite as well as Business Class on the A380, so I was interested to see how the 787-8 compared.
The short answer? It's a smaller and simpler Business Class experience, but it is still a very comfortable way to fly.
The Qatar Airways 787-8 Business Class Cabin
One of the first things I noticed about the 787-8 Business Class cabin was its size.
Unlike the huge A380, the Dreamliner feels much more intimate. Qatar Airways' 787-8 has a relatively small Business Class cabin, with the airline's published configuration showing 22 Business Class seats alongside 232 Economy seats on the original 254-seat configuration.
The Business Class cabin uses a 1-2-1 configuration, which is one of the features I really appreciate.
It means every passenger has direct access to the aisle rather than having to climb over another passenger when getting up.
For a daytime flight from Doha to Vienna, this was particularly convenient. I had my own space, easy access to the aisle and plenty of room to settle in for the journey.
A Fully Lie-Flat Seat — Without the Qsuite Door
If you've flown Qatar Airways before, you may automatically associate Business Class with Qsuite.
The 787-8 is different.
The Business Class seats on this aircraft don't have the sliding doors that you'll find on Qatar Airways' Qsuite product. Qatar Airways specifically identifies the 787-9 as the Dreamliner variant with the newer Business Class suites and privacy doors.
So while the 787-8 doesn't give you that enclosed private-suite feeling, the seat itself is still a major reason to choose Business Class.
It converts into a fully flat bed, making it possible to stretch out properly during the flight.
Qatar Airways' published specifications list the 787-8 Business Class seat at around 22 inches wide, with the bed extending to roughly 77–80 inches depending on the configuration.
For me, the ability to fully lie down makes a huge difference. Even when you don't necessarily need to sleep, being able to change position and stretch out makes the flight feel considerably more relaxing.
How Does It Compare With Qsuite?
This was probably the biggest difference I noticed.
I've already shared my experience flying Qatar Airways Qsuite, and if privacy is your number-one priority, Qsuite is definitely a different experience.
The Qsuite has the famous sliding doors, creating a much more private personal space.
The 787-8 doesn't offer that.
Instead, the experience feels more like a traditional premium Business Class cabin — open, spacious and comfortable, but without the enclosed suite.
That doesn't make it a bad Business Class product. It's simply a different experience.
For a flight such as Doha to Vienna, I was perfectly happy with the 787-8 seat.
And What About the A380?
The other Qatar Airways Business Class experience I've previously had is the A380.
That's another interesting comparison because the A380 has something the 787-8 doesn't: the famous onboard bar and lounge area.
The A380 is a completely different aircraft experience. It's enormous, and simply walking around the aircraft gives you that feeling that you're travelling on something much larger.
The 787-8 feels considerably smaller.
There isn't an equivalent Business Class bar area, so if that's something you particularly enjoy about the A380, it's worth knowing before you book.
But personally, I don't think the absence of a bar takes away from the main purpose of Business Class — having a comfortable seat, good food, personal space and the ability to properly relax.
The Food and Drinks
One of the things I always enjoy about flying Business Class is seeing what is offered on the menu.
On this flight, we were given a selection of food and drinks, and I found everything I chose to be nicely presented and enjoyable.
I also had some snacks and drinks during the flight, which made the journey feel more like an experience rather than simply transportation.
Qatar Airways provides complimentary meals across its flights, with special meals available for passengers with dietary requirements.
As someone who enjoys travelling for the destination but also appreciates the journey itself, I find the food and drink service is one of those little things that makes flying Business Class feel special.
What About Pyjamas and the Amenity Kit?
One thing worth mentioning is that this was a daytime flight, so we weren't automatically provided with pyjamas.
We did, however, receive a toiletry/amenity pack.
This is another area where expectations can vary depending on the flight and aircraft, so I wouldn't necessarily book Business Class based on whether or not pyjamas are provided.
For me, the seat, comfort and overall service are much more important.
The 787-8 Business Class seat also includes personal storage, a power outlet and USB connectivity, while Qatar Airways' current information lists personal entertainment screens and Wi-Fi availability as features of its 787 fleet.
A Few Interesting Facts About the Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The 787 isn't just interesting because of its Business Class cabin.
It's also a pretty fascinating aircraft.
The Dreamliner was designed with a number of features intended to improve the passenger experience, including larger windows, improved cabin humidity, lower cabin altitude and enhanced ventilation compared with many older aircraft.
And those windows are particularly recognisable because they don't use traditional pull-down shades. Instead, the 787 uses electrochromic dimming, allowing passengers to electronically darken the windows. Qatar Airways lists this as one of the key features of its 787 fleet.
The aircraft is also designed to be more fuel efficient and quieter than previous-generation aircraft. Qatar Airways says its 787 uses around 25% less fuel and produces lower CO₂ emissions and less noise than previous-generation aircraft.
So there's quite a bit more to the Dreamliner than just its distinctive shape.
My Overall Experience
Overall, I really enjoyed my Qatar Airways 787-8 Business Class experience from Doha to Vienna.
It wasn't Qsuite.
It didn't have the A380's bar.
And it wasn't the biggest or most extravagant Qatar Airways Business Class cabin I've experienced.
But it was comfortable, relaxed and enjoyable — and ultimately, that's what I wanted for the start of my Vienna trip.
The fully lie-flat seat was probably the biggest highlight for me. Having the ability to stretch out properly, combined with direct aisle access, good food and drinks and the attentive Qatar Airways service, made for a very comfortable journey.
If you're comparing Qatar Airways Business Class products, I'd describe them like this:
Qsuite: the choice for privacy and the most luxurious Business Class experience.
A380 Business Class: the choice if you want the larger aircraft experience and the famous onboard bar.
787-8 Business Class: a smaller, more intimate cabin with comfortable fully lie-flat seats and direct aisle access.
And for my Doha-to-Vienna journey, the 787-8 did exactly what I needed it to do — it got me to Europe feeling comfortable and ready to start exploring Vienna.
Watch Our Full Video
🎥 Watch our Qatar Airways 787-8 Dreamliner experience on YouTube: The Atlas Journey, where we share our full review and experience.
Starting the Vienna Journey
This flight was just the beginning of my Vienna adventure.
From Doha Airport to arriving in Austria, the journey itself became part of the experience — and there's plenty more to come from Vienna.
If you'd like to see exactly what the Qatar Airways 787-8 Business Class experience looked like, I've shared the full flight experience on The Atlas Journey, including the cabin, seat, menu, food, drinks, aircraft and journey from Doha to Vienna.
And if you're interested in comparing the different Qatar Airways Business Class products, you can also check out my previous experiences with Qsuite and the A380 Business Class.