Autumn 2025. We – Sam and Danny, Michel and Wille, and Timothy – are travelling to Japan for a quite classic tour of the Land of the Rising Sun. We are flying separately as we used miles. On the planning: Tokyo, Kanazawa, Shirakawa, Osaka, and Expo 2025, Hiroshima, Himeji, Miyajima, Kyoto, Nara, Nagoya, Hakone, and back to Tokyo. Three weeks plus some extra days.
To get to Japan Sam and I found mileage availability on Qatar Airways from Brussels to Tokyo via Doha in Business Class. While the first leg from Brussels to Doha would be on their older B787-8 with a herringbone configuration in Business Class, the second leg from Doha to Tokyo would be on one of their flagship B777-300ER’s with their famous Q-suite business suites.
On the day of our departure from Brussels the airport was still suffering from the consequences of a cyber attack on their systems the week prior. Thus at check-in we received paper boarding passes and a handwritten paper lounge invitation. After enjoying some time at the wonderful new The View business Lounge it was time to board our Doha bound Dreamliner from gate B5. Due to the cyberattack boarding went slowly as everyone had to be checked off a list on a laptop manually, due to the automatic boarding systems being out of service.
We also had a spell of boarding-not boarding as we had to wait in the hallway to the the jetway with the jetway closed off for quite a while before we were finally actually allowed to board.
Flight QR194
From Brussels (BRU) 16:10 (16:31) to Doha (DOH) 23:25 (23:07)
Flight Time 5 hours 37 minutes
Boeing 787-8 A7-BCC
Delivered to Qatar Airways in December 2012
Upon boarding we turned left into the 1-2-1 reverse Herringbone configuration with Collins Super Diamond seats. The entrance of the plane was very nice and spacious with an open layout featuring a small social area instead of the usual galley area. We found our seats on row 1 in the middle 1E and 1F. They featured slightly more leg space as the bulkhead had a larger feet cut-out than the normal seats. The seat offered both a 110V power plug and a USB-A plug to power your devices. While it is nice to sit in the middle to be able to enjoy the flight together and socialize, I did miss a view out of the window and most of all while the window seats have personal airvents, the middle seats don’t have these and thus can feel hotter.
Arriving at our seats we saw that there were two pillows and a wrapped blanket present on our seats, as well as a plate with a Diptique refreshment towel. Under the armrest in the covered storage there was a water bottle. What was missing however was an amenity kit, later in the flight the cabin manager came to introduce her to us and when we enquired about the missing amenity kit, she told us they forgot to load it at Brussels. She did however hand us pyjamas as they did have those available. As the internet on the aircraft was also out of service she did have her work cut out for her to sooth all the business class passengers.
Before pushback we were also handed out menus for today’s flight, along with a choice of welcome beverage. We of course selected the rosé champagne as it is a Qatar Airways staple. We were also offered a cup of Arabic coffee along with dates. I only had the date as I don’t like coffee, but it was a very nice touch. They also asked us when we would like to have dinner after take-off and we opted to enjoy it about halfway into the flight.
After take-off we enjoyed an aperitif with some mixed nuts and crisps.
The meal started off with an amuse bouche, after which I selected the cray fish platter.
For my main I had pre-ordered the Braised beef short rib, which was excellent. Sam had pre-ordered the Beef steak and was also given the same Short rib. However after telling the staff he was then also promptly given the right beef steak dish. The beef steak however wasn’t nearly as good as the braised beef short ribs.
I finished off with both a cheese plate and the cherry clafoutis.
The rest of the flight was rather uneventful. Due to it only being about 6 hours in flight, we didn’t have any more food. Our approach and landing into Doha was smooth and uneventful and we had the luck to be parked at a jetway stand near the garden and also near our departing gate for Tokyo. After passing through the transfer security we went to the “new” Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Garden Business Lounge.
2025 Journey Across Japan
- Japan’s Superconducting Maglev train breaks world speed record at 603 km/h.
- Japan’s maglev bullet train delayed to 2035 or later as costs rise to ¥11 trillion.
- QUESTION | Should you be stressed about travelling to Japan, and fear of missing out?.
- Brussels Airport to Milan Malpensa with Brussels Airlines, operated by Air Baltic, ft. the 2025 check-in and boarding software hack.
- REVIEW | Sala Montale Exclusive Lounge and Sala Gae Aulentin Premium Lounge at Milan Malpensa Airport, extra Schengen.
- REVIEW | All Nippon Airways (ANA), Business Class, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to Tokyo.
- REVIEW | Toei Animation Museum in Nerima, Tokyo.
- JAPAN | Tokyo Station, its Character Street and Pokémon Store.
- REVIEW | Onyado Nono Asakusa Hotel in Tokyo.
- TOKYO | Asakusa ft. Sensō-ji Temple.
- JAPAN | The Odoriko train from Tokyo to Ito on Izu Peninsula.
- PHOTOS & REVIEW | The Izu Teddy Bear Museum in Izu-Kōgen.
- JAPAN | A visit to Ito on Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture.
- REVIEW | Japan’s Saphir Odoriko in Premium Green Car from Ito on Izu Peninsula to Tokyo Station.
- GAY TOKYO | 24 Kaikan in Asakusa (+ Ueno and Shinjuku).
- TOKYO | Sawara in Chiba Prefecture, ‘Little Edo’ beyond Narita.
- TOKYO | Omotesandō in Shibuya – AEON Shinonome – Uniqlo – Muji.
- PHOTOS | The Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum in Koganei Park.
- JAPAN | Solo in Tokyo.
- REVIEW | Brussels Airport The View lounge.