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Today I got to test out and review Qatar Airways Economy Class from Kuala Lumpur to Doha aboard the 787-9. This was part of a British Airways Avios multi-carrier award redemption, so by taking the longest flight in the sequence in Economy, the number of Avios overall was far less, and I still could fly Business Class for the remaining three flights in this trip.
As today’s flight was a daytime flight, I really didn’t mind flying Economy.
This is Forward of the Wing’s review of Qatar Airways Economy Class, onboard the 787-9. Economy Class on the World’s Best Airline.
Side Note: Where to Stay at Kuala Lumpur Airport
If you are staying in Kuala Lumpur rather than transiting, note that KLIA airport is located around an hour and a half taxi from the central city. The quickest way to get to the city is the KLIA Ekspres train, then get a taxi from KL Sentral. The train only takes roughly 30 minutes and runs from 5am until midnight everyday, every 20 minutes. Taxis tend to take ages to hail in Kuala Lumpur, so just allow plenty of time to get to airport.
If you have an early flight, such as the 2am Qatar Airways flight to Doha, consider staying overnight at the airport, it is just so much less hassle.
I recommend checking out the Kepler Capsule Hotel at KLIA Terminal 1. They have both Landside and Airside options, depending on if you are departing KLIA or transiting through. As a capsule hotel, you get a private capsule with a super comfy single bed, privacy blind, storage, a smart TV, Wi-Fi, reading light and swivel-out table. You also get a luggage locker with slippers, a towel and toiletries. The bathrooms and showers were also super clean and modern, featuring large rain showers. Perfect to freshen up before a long flight or while transiting. Everything you need for a short stay.
There is also easy access to the terminal and landside food options if you are staying overnight or for a longer transit.
Prices start from just $10 USD per hour (£7.50) and $65 USD (£48) overnight, and I have stayed a few times before whenever I have an early flight out of KLIA. You can either book direct on a per hour basis, or book through Booking.com for a full overnight stay (which usually works out cheaper).
It just means you can sleep in for longer, and not have to worry about how long a taxi is going to take to hail or when the next train is, or worry about missing your flight.
If you have Priority Pass, you can access the Airside Kepler Capsule Hotel for free for a maximum of 3 hours in a 24 hour period.
Check- In
At Kuala Lumpur, Qatar Airways operates two check in queues with multiple counters – one for Qatar Business Class, oneworld Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald elite status holders and Qatar Platinum, Gold and Silver elite status holders, and one queue for all other Economy passengers.
Qatar Airways doesn’t operate First Class on any flights between Kuala Lumpur and Doha, just Economy and Business Class aboard the 777-300, 787-9 and A350-1000 flights that they operate daily on this route.
Kuala Lumpur Airport
If you haven’t travelled through Kuala Lumpur Airport before, note that the airport is massive. Allow plenty of time to get from check in, through security and immigration, and onto your gate.
Widebody aircraft depart from the Satellite Terminal, and narrowbody (domestic and regional) flights depart from the Main Terminal.
To get from the Main Terminal to the Satellite Terminal, you catch the KLIA Aerotrain. Note if you are transiting internationally, transit security is located at the Main Terminal. So you need to catch the Aerotrain to the Main Terminal, pass through transit security, then catch the Aerotrain back to the Satellite Terminal.
At the time of this flight, the Aerotrain was down (and only reopaucklened at the beginning of July 2025), so I had to get a bus between terminals, and then walk from the end of the one of the C Piers to my gate.
Just my luck, the security and immigration lines were also extremely busy this morning, and the line for the buses was slow, but made it just in time to my gate with 10 minutes to spare before boarding.
Kuala Lumpur Airport Lounge Access
If you hold oneworld Sapphire or Emerald elite status (+1 guest), or are flying Qatar Airways Business Class, you have access to the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounges at KLIA Terminal 1. The Satellite Golden Lounge is Malaysia Airlines’ flagship and KLIA is their hub airport, so you can expect a really high standard.
Unfortunately I had just dropped down to oneworld Ruby at the time of this flight so didn’t get the chance to explore the Malaysia Airlines Satellite Golden Lounge, but also was running out of time before boarding so wouldn’t have had much time to relax either.
If you have Priority Pass, you can access the Sky Suite Lounge or the Travel Club Lounge at the Satellite Terminal.
Boarding
Boarding is done in two stages, priority boarding for Business Class, oneworld Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald, and then all other Economy passengers. Just a single airbridge today, unlike at Doha where dual airbridges are frequently used for the 787-9 (and were used for disembarkment).
Boarding was fast and efficient, and the crew were friendly, greeting passengers throughout the cabin upon arrival.
Qatar Airways 787-9 Economy Class Cabin
The Qatar Airways 787-9 Economy Class Cabin is laid out in a 3-3-3 configuration, which is the standard configuration for this aircraft.
The 787 features electronically dimmable windows. The cabin was automatically dimmed for the majority of this flight in case passengers decided to get some sleep. These electronic “window shades” can’t be individually adjusted while the whole cabin is dimmed.
The best seats on the Qatar Airways 787-9 are 29A and 29K in my opinion if you are travelling solo, as there is a seat missing in front so you have unlimited legroom. The only annoying thing about these seats is that your entertainment screen has to be folded away for takeoff and landing. The seats in front, 28B, 28C, 28H and 28J are great exit row seats if you are travelling as a pair or couple. However the window is small and you are away from the wall so can’t lean on it to sleep. But perfect for a day flight.
Qatar Airways 787-9 Economy Seat
The 787-9 Qatar Airways Economy Class Seat is fine, perfectly comfortable and well-padded, even on a long-haul flight. Seat width is between 16.9 and 17.4 inches, and seat pitch is a generous 31-32 inches. Recline is 6 degrees.
As I had picked 29K today, there is a seat missing in front so you have plenty of legroom. No worries for someone 6’1”.
The tray table for standard seats folds in half, so you can store just a drink rather than have the entire tray table unfolded. Under the screen, there is also a device holder for your phone or iPad if you wish to just watch your own entertainment instead. In exit rows, there is also an angled stand that folds up from the tray table, enabling the same functionality.
All in all, I was perfectly comfortable for today’s 7 hour daytime flight. I think if I was flying ultra-long-haul, I would still try opt for the extra legroom seats if possible. But testing the normal seat legroom, it was actually totally fine aboard the 787-9 too.
Qatar Airways Economy Class Food
I really like Qatar Airways food onboard, whether I am flying Qsuite or Economy Class. There is an emphasis on fresh, local and seasonal, with dishes from the origin or destination and regular menu changes. For Economy, it’s really nice to see three main options including one vegetarian option as standard – gone are the days of beef or chicken only. Here was the menu on today’s flight:
Lunch/Dinner
Appetiser
- Barley salad with sundried tomato pesto
Main
- Ayam rendang with pak choi, Nasi Kunyit and sliced chilli
- Cajun spiced fish with chunky tomato concassé, diced potatoes and sautéed vegetables
- Fusilli arrabbiata with grated Parmesan, sautéed snap peas and asparagus
Dessert
- Coconut mousse with mango coulis
Light Snack
- A warm savoury pastry is served before landing
A great vegetable and umami-heavy menu. Also great to see a light snack in addition to a main meal on just a short 7 hour flight. There are also a selection of Crisps, Popcorn and Chocolate available throughout the flight if you are hungry between meals. All-in-all, the food on Qatar Airways really good by Economy Class standards, and significantly above-average compared to most airlines that I review.
Qatar Airways Vegetarian Vegan Meal (VGML)
I opted for the Vegetarian Vegan Meal (VGML) aboard this flight instead. Here is what my Qatar Airways Economy VGML consisted of on this flight departing Kuala Lumpur:
Lunch/Dinner
Appetiser
- Vegetable crudites with red and green butterleaf lettuce
Main
- Tomato Chickpea Stew with Biriyani Rice, and a grilled tomato
Dessert
- Sago Gula Melaka – Sago Pudding with Palm Syrup
Light Meal
- Grilled Mediterranean vegetable and hummus sandwich
I thought the Qatar VGML was fine for an Economy Class meal, and the dessert was delicious. I think the light meal could have been improved, but it’s still nice to see a second “meal” on a 7-hour flight, even if its just a sandwich.
Qatar Airways Economy Beverage Menu
Qatar Airways have an above average bar selection for Economy Class, with a wide selection of beer, wine, spirits and cocktails. Here is the bar selection that was available on my flight:
Beer
- Budweiser
- Stella Artois
Wine
- De Vergy Blanc de Blancs NV, France – Sparkling Wine option
- Vina Sol Miguel Torres 2021, Spain – White Wine option
- Terrior de Sainte-Cecille Syrah NV, France – Red Wine option
Spirits
- Gin
- Vodka
- Baileys
- Whiskey
Cocktails
- Bloody Mary
- Gin and Tonic
- Mimosa
- Screwdriver
- Shandy
- Spritzer
- Vodka Cranberry
- Gin Rickey
- Whiskey Ginger Ale
- Vodka Tonic
Mocktails
- Apple Sparkle
- Refresco
- Virgin Mango Bellini
Soft Drinks
- Coca Cola and Coca Cola Zero Sugar
- Sprite and Sprite Zero
- Fanta
- Ginger Ale
- Soda Water
- Tonic Water
- Apple Juice
- Cranberry Juice
- Mango Juice
- Orange Juice
- Tomato Juice
- Still Water
Hot Drinks
- Coffee (Brewed, Instant and Decaf)
- Ceylon or Green Tea
A perfectly fine selection for Economy Class, and a step above most airlines. It’s really nice to see cocktails (albeit basic) being offered in Economy, even when the 787-9 has over 280 Economy seats. Also nice to see a sparkling wine option in Economy.
The crew were excellent on this flight, and came through the cabin regularly with the bar service before the main meal service, and several times throughout the duration.
Qatar Airways Economy Amenity Kit
Basic amenity kits were provided on this flight in a paper pouch, waiting at each seat upon boarding. A blanket was also provided and a small pillow.
Each amenity kit contained flight socks, an eyemask, foam earplugs and a toothbrush with toothpaste.
Qatar Airways In-Flight WiFi
Qatar Airways now offers super fast, free WiFi onboard via Starlink, which tends to offer even better WiFi speeds than on the ground. The good news is Starlink is now available on all flights between Kuala Lumpur and Doha.
At the time of this flight, this 787-9 hadn’t been retrofitted with Starlink, so WiFi was still available for purchase, which I opted not to bother with on this particular flight.
Check on my QSuite review for the typical speeds you can expect from the previous in-flight WiFi system, which was quite slow and expensive.
Qatar Airways Onyx One In-flight Entertainment
The Qatar Airways in-flight entertainment system is called Oryx One. There is a wide range of movies including new releases, tv shows, games and music from all over the world in a variety of languages. There are a huge selection of South American and Latino, Bollywood, Arabic, and Asian movies and TV shows available to suit passengers from every background.
The entertainment screen in Economy on the 787-9 is 12 inches in diameter. Each screen is a touchscreen, and also features a USB-A and USB-C charging port, standard headphone port (so you can use your own headphones), volume controls, overhead reading light button and call bell all built-in to the screen itself.
My favourite part of the Qatar Airways Oryx One entertainment system though is the forward and down cameras, located on the outside of the aircraft. I think there is nothing cooler for an Aviation Geek than watching takeoff and landing from the nose wheel, ascent looking down at the palm plantations of Malaysia, and descent looking down at the azure water of the Arabian Gulf.
Conclusion
For Economy, this was a great flight. The cabin crew service was great, Oryx One is a fantastic entertainment system with plenty to keep you entertained, the seat was comfortable and everything was on time. My only gripe was that the second light meal could have been better.
I wouldn’t hesitate to fly Qatar Airways Economy Class long-haul again, however this was a day flight, so it would be interesting to see if I would have a similar review about an overnight flight, or an ultra-long-haul such as the 17 and a half hour flight from Auckland to Doha.