For aviation lovers and luxury travelers alike, Qatar Airways’ First Class is one of those aspirational experiences. But what happens when you combine that with a dry-leased Boeing 777 from Cathay Pacific, a middle-of-the-night departure, and an aging hard product dressed in Qatari maroon? We recently flew Flight QR815 from Hong Kong to Doha, and while some elements truly soared, others reminded us that not all first class cabins are created equal.

We also created a video review:

The Aircraft & Route: Cathay’s Bones, Qatar’s Colors

This flight is unique in the Qatar Airways network. The Boeing 777-300ER, tail number A7-BOI, is a 14-year-old aircraft originally operated by Cathay Pacific and now leased by Qatar. It’s been flying exclusively on the Hong Kong–Doha route since June 2023 under a dry lease agreement. While Qatar has repainted the exterior and rebranded the cabin with its signature burgundy accents, the hard product remains Cathay’s—meaning older first-class seats, familiar layout, and a few quirks.

The First Class cabin is arranged in a 1-1-1 configuration, offering excellent width and privacy. We selected seats 1A and 2A, arguably the most secluded thanks to their left-side placement and minimal foot traffic. There are no overhead bins, but there’s ample storage at each seat for backpacks, jackets, and small carry-ons.

First Class seat arrangement on the QR815 (Source: AeroLopa)

I sat on seat 1A, probably the most private seat in First Class (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

There are a few storage options (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

Boarding & First Impressions

Boarding began just before 1:00 AM at Hong Kong International Airport. Despite the hour, the crew greeted us warmly—though we’d later feel that much of the friendliness was more scripted than genuine. The initial setup at the seat was impressive: a Diptyque amenity kit, pajamas and slippers, and a bottle of Aqua Panna water alongside active noise-canceling Oryx One headphones. A hot towel with a distinct tea tree scent and a signature fresh mint lime juice rounded out the welcome experience.

The Diptyque amenities kit is fantastic (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

The “Oryx One” headphones are solid for the flight duration (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

We also got served a small pack of pralines (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

There was also a small cup of marinated olives—a nice touch before departure (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

The Seat: Wide and Comfortable, But Aged

The Cathay-style seat is incredibly spacious and wide, with three to four windows per seat and a large side console perfect for storing drinks, tech, or even a mini workspace. The color refresh with Qatar’s burgundy hues helps disguise the cabin’s age, but some elements—peeling stickers, scratched surfaces, and worn trim—betray the aircraft’s true vintage.

The amount of windows and table space is very comfortable (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

Many details are changed to the Qatar Airways dark-red color scheme (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

The cabin is showing some signs of wear-and-tear (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

Controls are intuitive, and there’s even a touch display for seat adjustment (though ours randomly turned off mid-flight and briefly flashed the Cathay Pacific logo, a reminder of the aircraft’s history). Entertainment is managed via a corded remote, which we appreciated—it allows you to keep flight information up while watching a movie. The screen itself was surprisingly responsive, despite being non-touch and aged.

The corded controller lets you control the big screen and display additional information about your flight at the same time (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

The IFE is Qatar Airways-typically fantastic and with plenty of move choices for all tastes (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

You’ll find a USB-A port and a universal power outlet, but oddly no WiFi included, even in First. A full-flight internet pass costs $10 USD, which isn’t much, but in First Class, that feels like nickel-and-diming.

The USB-A and universal power plugs are conveniently located close to the seat (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

Dining: Caviar and Candles, But Hit-or-Miss

Qatar offers dine-on-demand, so you can eat whenever you please—a lifesaver on this 1:30 AM departure. After a late dinner in the Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge (The Pier), we opted to keep it light and ordered caviar service on board. The presentation was beautiful, complete with a faux LED candle on the tray—a small but charming touch.

Qatar Airways is serving Krug and Bollinger on this route (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

You can mix and match from the late night dining menu (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

The caviar tastes extra nice with the cosy light of the LED candle (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

Later, before landing, we requested breakfast. The options are extensive—around 15 items you can mix and match. We chose:

A fruit platter (a bit mushy)
Granola with yogurt
Two fruit Danishes
A fresh vegetable-fruit juice
And a strong espresso

This is the “breakfast” menu close to the arrival at Doha (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

A decent breakfast can be had, but the food could be fresher… (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

Unfortunately, the food quality was inconsistent. While the caviar was excellent, the pastries were soft and underwhelming, and the fruit lacked freshness. The crew was quick to clear plates, though, and service was prompt when sticking to routine requests.

The Bed: The Highlight of the Flight

Here’s where the flight truly shines.

Before sleep, we changed into Qatar’s Formula 1–themed pajamas (not the most stylish, but comfortable enough). The crew prepared our beds by adding a soft mattress topper, and the seat converted into an incredibly spacious and comfortable bed.

The QR-provided pajama is a matter of taste (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

The bedding includes:

A fluffy, heavy blanket
Two thick pillows
Wide shoulder room and plenty of legroom, except in the footwell which narrows slightly

The cushioning is excellent and the thick blanket makes it very cosy (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

We had a solid amount of sleep thanks to the high level of comfort (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

We both managed around 5 hours of solid sleep—impressive for a sub-9-hour overnight flight. This bed alone makes a strong case for First over Business, especially compared to Qatar’s excellent Qsuite.

Lavatories: A Low Point

Unfortunately, the lavatories didn’t match the luxury experience elsewhere.

My first visit to the bathroom saw some dirty toilet paper on the floor (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

During my second visit, the toilet floor was even more dirty and an unflushed paper toilet cover was left on the toilet seat (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

Despite only six passengers in First, the bathrooms were dirty throughout the flight. Twice we encountered unflushed toilets, crumpled paper towels, and empty toothbrush kits. The crew was attentive in other areas, but here they dropped the ball—a small but noticeable lapse in premium service.

Final Thoughts: A Great Sleep, But Not a Full Suite Experience

Flying Qatar Airways First Class on QR815 is undeniably a special experience—if your expectations are calibrated.

Yes, the aircraft is old, and it shows. Yes, the service can feel slightly robotic if you deviate from the script. And yes, the bathrooms were disappointing. But the seat is wide, the bed is exceptional, and the freedom to dine when you wish still sets this experience apart from Business Class.

If you value sleep above all else—this flight is all about the bed. But if you’re expecting an Emirates-style suite or Singapore-level polish, you might be better off waiting for one of Qatar’s A380 First Class routes or just sticking with their Qsuite Business Class, which closes much of the gap at a lower price.