So, having covered just short of 325k miles with Emirates last year I decided to give Qatar a try from Bucharest (OTP) to Dubai (DWC) via Doha, just wanted to give you provide you all with some details.



Check in at OTP - separate area, made to feel very welcome addressed by name exceptionally friendly check in staff.

Boarding - priority given to business class passengers and strictly enforced by gate agents.

Pre-departure - approached personally by purser and welcomed aboard, wished a pleasant flight, offered a choice of Brut or Rose champagne.

Seat - As this was a A320 was expecting the seat to be a little cramped, but it actually was ok, a 2+2 arrangement, very comfortable.

Dining on board - Excellent menu, great variety, looked and tasted amazing, in fact I would say it was much better than most of the meals I have had in F on EK for the past year or so. Started with the soup which was piping hot and rich tomato, followed by Arabian Chicken and cheese board.

As an aside, the chap next to me, when shown the menu, just nodded and said yep, I will have the lot! Again this was no problem for the crew and he ended up eating two starters, three mains, two desserts and washed down with a half bottle of port....good man!

Arrival at DOH - Remote stand, but separate bus for business class passengers, was in the terminal in less than 5 minutes!

Lounge in DOH - for some reason, I was ticketed into F class from DOH to DWC so was able to access the F lounge, seemed ok but a little cold to me, much prefer the F lounge at DXB.

Arrival in DWC - Off the plane and out of the terminal in less than 15 minutes and that was with checked luggage!

Overall - Well as someone with no status at all with Qatar I have to say the service was far about what I normally experience with EK when traveling F as a Plat!

I was genuinely made to feel welcome throughout the journey and reminded me how EK used to be about 5 years ago.

If I was to compare EK and QR, I would say that EK win on the lounges but QR is far more superior on service.

Although I don't think I will ever stop flying EK, I think I will give QR a few more tries and maybe start spreading my business between EK and QR.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings...got go and try and book my next EK flight to the Far East!