FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - [PREMIUM FARE GONE] QR F CAI-DOH-SYD: $2.8k o/w (A380)
Old Apr 14, 2023 | 6:17 pm
  #9  
jbalmuth
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Before the falling out between Qatar and Egypt, there were routinely some very attractive First Class (A) fares between Egypt and Australia (iirc, the A380s alternated between the Sydney and Melbourne). In late 2016 (for travel in 2017) the sweet spot was Luxor - DOH - SYD/MEL RT for USD ~1,400 directly from QR (less if you trusted local OTAs, which we did not). While we very much enjoyed the service and food, and loved time spent in the spacious in-flight lounge (located at the rear of the J cabin), we found the seats in the second row of QR's A380 First Class cabin to have an unexpected (unprecedented for us) problem, namely excessive light pollution from unusually bright TV monitors in the first row of seats. We always wear eye masks while sleeping on planes, but for some reason the light from the monitors in the suites in front could not be totally blocked from view. With the subsequent rollout of Q suites on newer planes, I've always expected QR to retrofit the A380 First cabin with doors (which I believe would have greatly mitigated the light pollution issue), but to my knowledge, they never have. In short, if you take advantage of a good A fare on this 14 hour flight, I very strongly recommend that you choose a first row seat.
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