Review of Biman Bangladesh flight from Chittagong to Doha in Business

BG - Biman Bangladesh

Flight taken on 12 February 2025

BG125

Chittagong Doha

CGP

DOH

23:54 06h 10m 03:04

Model Boeing 777-300ER

Class Business

Seat 3A

Muslin Lounge

First the plane flew domestic from Dhaka to Chittagong. So I got to enjoy the Muslin Lounge.

The check-in process at the Muslin Lounge was quick. The staff are highly attentive, but their level of hospitality can feel slightly intrusive at times. The air conditioning was non-functional, making the lounge quite uncomfortable. The seating arrangement was comfortable, and the menu offered a variety of options, including chicken soup, rice, vegetable curry, noodles, pasta, chicken korma, chicken masala, dal, fish kebab, egg sandwich, mini burger, salad, fresh fruits, chocolate dessert, dry cakes, nuts, firni, mango juice, sodas, tea, and coffee, and cake. Overall, a decent lounge experience except for the AC.

Muslin lounge seating area

Lounge Food Menu

My Lunch

Review of Biman Business Class

The plane departed two and a half hours late. Dr. Yunus traveled to Dubai to attend a useless seminar. Due to his VIP protocol, the airport was closed for two hours. Should thousands of people suffer because of one person? Is this what "anti-discrimination" looks like? If I had the power, I would abolish all VIP protocols in Bangladesh immediately. Yunus is a hypocrite. He is deceiving the state of Bangladesh and taking advantage of illegal privileges under the guise of reform for his own business. He has exempted VAT for his enterprises, acquired a license for Grameen University, and is bringing Starlink for his own commercial benefit.

85-year-old Yunus constantly looks for opportunities to travel abroad in Emirates' business or first class. He jumps at the chance to attend any random conference, just like shameless Hasina. This man, who charges 28% interest, has no compassion for the poor people of Bangladesh! If you lack empathy and humanity, you can never be a good leader. That is why history will remember Yunus as nothing more than an opportunist, a fraud, and a hypocrite.

Now, back to the flight. The aircraft was a Boeing 777. The air conditioning functioned most of the time but occasionally malfunctioned. Fortunately, during the two-hour layover in Chattogram, the pilot kept the auxiliary power unit (APU) running.

The cleanliness of the aircraft was appalling, both inside and out. Unlike Qatar Airways' planes, which are spotless, Bangladeshi planes are the exact opposite. A thick layer of dust was visible on the aircraft’s exterior, as if it had never been cleaned using water jetting. The windows were foggy and greasy, making it difficult to see outside.

The floor inside the aircraft was relatively clean. However, within minutes of boarding, mosquitoes started biting, making the experience unbearable. The cabin crew sprayed some kind of insecticide, but it had no effect. If you're flying with Biman Bangladesh Airlines, I highly recommend bringing your own mosquito repellent.

The business class seats were wide and comfortable, with ample legroom. While not fully flat-bed, the recline was sufficient for sleeping.

The seat controls worked but made a faint buzzing noise. The control options were minimal—only the footrest and backrest could be adjusted. The center armrest between the two seats was too narrow, providing inadequate space for both passengers. The reading lights functioned properly. However, some seats appeared to have been patched up with crude repairs—something that seems uniquely possible with Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

The only amenity provided was a blanket for sleeping. The in-flight entertainment (IFE) system was non-functional, and there was no apology for the inconvenience. Additionally, the IFE screen had visible stains from spilled soft drinks.

Some of the ambient lighting was defective; when turned on, it flickered inconsistently. However, I did appreciate the starlight ceiling feature.

Typically, in business class, the cabin crew welcomes passengers after boarding. However, the crew members of Biman Bangladesh Airlines saw no need for such courtesies. Before takeoff to Chittagong, they hurriedly distributed snacks, completing their duties as quickly as possible. The snack included a tuna sandwich, a small piece of cake, and a bottle of water. The sandwich, at least, was delicious.

Midway through the flight, the aircraft experienced sudden turbulence, and bright yellow lights on both sides flashed twice. To this day, I have no idea why that happened. The Chittagong Airport is situated near the Bay of Bengal and the Karnaphuli River.

Before takeoff to Doha, they served peanuts and orange juice. The flight attendants did not provide a menu card but instead verbally listed the available options. They mentioned the main course selections but did not inform passengers of any appetizer or dessert choices.

The starter included grilled chicken slices, green salad, and apple salad. The apple salad was excellent. The main course consisted of mutton curry, rice, lentils, and mashed potatoes. However, the main course tasted bland and uninspiring. The dessert was a dry, unappealing piece of cake.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines does not prepare a dedicated business class menu. Instead, they serve economy class meals on a separate tray with the addition of one extra appetizer—this is the only difference!

After the meal, they served tea, which was disappointingly weak and bland.

The attitude of Biman’s cabin crew suggested that they were simply eager to complete their service and retreat to their own seats to relax or chat.

The flight was turbulent throughout, as the aircraft frequently encountered air pockets.

Overall, you get exactly what you pay for. Expecting Qatar Airways-level service at two-thirds of the cost is unrealistic.

For a mid-haul flight, it was acceptable. But still, couldn't it have been just a bit better? Why haven’t the 15-year-old business class seats been upgraded to fully flat beds? Billions have been lost to corruption, yet there’s no investment in improving the passenger experience.

Perhaps this reflects our national mindset—one of mediocrity. Even in business class, this attitude was evident.

No, I am not an elitist who insists on flying business class. But I am a perfectionist. I want things to be flawless and well-executed.