I fell in love with the Dreamliner,
the Boeing 787-8: what a fantastic flying experience in both directions! Qatar Airways offered me a round ticket Brussels-Denpasar/Bali in Business class.
The one way trip includes two stops: a first trip with the famous Dreamliner aircraft to the Hamad International Airport (Doha), where is the hub of the ailine. Then a second trip from Singapore to Denpasar in another plane more “conventional”.
My first impressions of the flight from Brussels to Denpasar: great cabin with a minimalist design that inspires comfort, wide windows and especially the amazing LED lighting (pictures 1 & 2). The service on board is also excellent: discreet, friendly and efficient.
Comfort, high tech & gastronomy
As always the day before departure I slept little (3h!). That morning, there were still details to finalize this express presstrip to Bali, “tailor made” for the blog.
Do I need to add that a Business class on a long haul – more than 20 hours one way trip (including stops) – is not a luxury but a fantastic way to not feel jetlag and to be optimum at the destination arrival!
Quickly I got familiar with the different audiovisual and seat remotes (picture above and pictures 5 and 1). What a pleasure to watch a program on the large TV touchscreen! And the seat combining comfort and intimacy (without feeling confined in a box), is difficult to leave! Believe me!
You can also use the Internet, I did not. On my Twitter (@ Mademoisellelek), I was against the Internet in flight. Why? By peace! But now, not so sure, LOL … For me the most important: I could recharge my electronic devices in my seat during the flight. I’ve also found the best sound proof cabin.
Icing on the cake: the food presentation and quality of meals. Foodies, famous international chefs have especially designed or adapted some of their specialties for the menu. Picture below: main dish with rice, lentils, fish, asparagus and spices of the Indian chef, Vineet Bhatia.
First stopover at Hamad International Airport (Doha)
Arrived at 11.30 p.m., I leave at 2:25 a.m. to Denpasar via Singapore. Not really the time to visit the airport, even if the shops and restaurants are open (pictures below).
After the security check, I head straight to the Qatar Airways lounge for the First and Business travelers, where I quietly rest.
The lounge space is quite small, but it seems that the new (huge) lounge will be operational in a few days. Good point: I’m five minutes from the gate of my second flight.
Another aircraft (Boeing 777-300ER) with a much greater capacity than the Dreamliner. Another design more conventional, but the comfort and service of the Business class remain excellent! As soon as I received my pajamas, I wore it! It always amuses me (sorry I’m not a fashionista anymore)!
To reduce the jelag effects, you have to set up the hours the destination where you are going. Drink plenty of water and sleep a maximum. I opted for a very light dinner, with a fisrt meal of the Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhira and a salad. And in bed (picture 7)!
Second stopover at Changi Airport (Singapore)
I was really excited by a stopover in Changi Airport (Singapore), the most awarded airport in the world: 420 awards since 1981 (Le Figaro)! But the stopover is too short (1:30) to visit at least one of the airport’s gardens.
In fact, passengers to Denpasar must also leave the plane. Pass the security check and wait to board again. So it is recommended to stay close to the boarding gate. The second image (right) of the photo below: the lounge.
If the Changi Airport is huge, everything seems to have been designed to make the traveler’s experience easier and enjoyable. As I haven’t had time to visit, It’s just my first impression.
Back on board, in the same aircraft, sitting on the same place. Denpasar Arrival at 7 p.m. local time. Time for a lunch and then we land!
And guess who comes out of the plane fresh and smiling? Of course me! Another pleasant surprise after being pampered by the crews of my different flights, I enjoy the VIP treatment on arrival at Denpasar. To be continued… Selamat datang di Bali, welcome in Bali!
Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.
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Many thanks to Qatar Airways. As always all my opinions are mine!
