Following a decent sleep it’s off to the terminal and check in. There are two desks available for Premium passengers and I am invited forward almost immediately. Swiftly processed two boarding cards and a lounge pass are issued. Proud holder of a silver (Business) and a purple (First) version of each it’s through Fast Track and Border Control to the Brussels Airport operated Non Schengen area Diamond Lounge.
Entering the lounge I’m warmly greeted by the male agent behind the desk, He takes my lounge pass, checks my name against the passenger list provided by Qatar Airways, asks me if my name could be different to that on my pass/boarding cards and then says I’m not eligible for entry! His female colleague intervenes and notices my One World Sapphire status through British Airways and I’m allowed into this quiet haven. Except it’s not!
Obviously many airlines use this lounge and it is very busy. I manage to find a table where I can leave my bag and get some breakfast…... .there's not a lot around and a dearth of coffee cups. Croissants are the only thing left so I pair them with a G+T - well I am on the continent!
Boarding time comes around and I’m off down to the airbridge. I see the B 789 aircraft through one of the windows and for some reason the ‘I’m really excited about this flight’ feeling strangely wasn’t there. About 10 years ago I flew to Hong Kong on a BA 777 and catching sight of it made my pulse quicken and heightened my sense of anticipation even though I had flown on a couple of 777’s before. This is a new airline to me and has the ‘best Business Class in the world’ so my excitement levels should be off the scale - but as I say they’re not. Maybe it had something to do with the speed tape all around the First Officers window!
Boarding through door 2L I’m directed to the right hand aisle and my seat in 4K. Once there it appears a lady has taken my Q-suite by mistake and stating that “I have broken my hip in the last three weeks it’s hard to move” I leave her be and move to 5K. Once the aircraft doors were secured the Cabin Manager came around to welcome everyone and was surprised to find someone else where I was meant to be. Explaining the situation I was thanked for my understanding and informed of a flight time of 5h45.
Once airborne Luis from Colombia became my new best friend. Champagne was offered, accepted with gratitude, Amuse bouche salmon was excellent. Main course chicken could have been a little bit warmer. Cheese platter and the port - well what can I say! Eating part of the flight done (this is a one meal service flight) it’s time to embrace the Q-Suite experience. It begins by unwrapping the really soft blanket and moving the seat into the bed position. My one window has already been dimmed so all I have to do is strap myself in, close the door and drift off to sleep!
Fast forward a couple of hours (and a bit) Luis notices that I’m awake and brings me a very welcome G+T which I enjoy whilst watching some spy drama. Sleep wise the seat was very comfortable apart from the footwell which seemed a little cramped. Briefly switching to the moving map screen we have about 1h45 of flight time remaining so plenty of time to relax; G+T and repeat
Arriving on time into Doha we disembark via 2L and are met with several QR agents at the top of the airbridge. One is actively encouraging passengers with connections to avoid the signed channel and go straight into the main terminal. As mentioned earlier my DOH - DXB flight is in First Class so I can use the Al Safwa lounge.
Once I am graciously granted permission to use the escalator up to the lounge I am a bit overwhelmed. This space is huge and cathedral-like. In fact, when approached and greeted by a member of the lounge staff, I respond in a whisper-like voice which she assures me is the response from most passengers. I’m guided to a table in the dining area and use the QR coded menu to order some food. A passing steward asks if I would like some champagne and you already know the answer! The pan seared sea bass is delicious and very different to the fish that I normally eat (you know I’m Scottish no surprise then that it’s deep fried Haddock!)
Off down to the C gates and past the famous yellow bear. I had seen photos of it but I didn’t realise how big it actually was! Boarding was a bit of a mess with zoned seating, a general queue and people milling about, A second boarding pass scan takes place before heading down to the B777 to Dubai. I’m in a rear-facing Q-Suite (5K) for this short hop and I’m not sure I’d like to spend a lot of time in this version. The door and surroundings are a lot higher than on the 789 and it feels a bit more constrictive. Even though this is a flight of under an hour a snack of hummus and cake along with my now obligatory drink of choice is served.
We park at a remote stand and are taken by an ordinary airport bus - you’ll see what I mean later - to the terminal. There is a moderately fast moving queue for immigration and, even though it’s quite long, I’m through in around 15 minutes and onto meet my pre-booked pick up. I’m greeted by a very nice Pakistani gentleman who guides me to my car. A 30 ish minute journey takes me to my home for the next three nights - Queen Elizabeth 2.
One final point for this part of the report. The lady who had taken my original seat of 4K had no problem whatsoever in getting up and talking to her travelling companions in 4 E/F throughout the flight. Mmmmmmmm
Coming next :- three days in Dubai
Last edited by dpherraghty; Oct 22, 2023 at 8:45 am
Reason: copy/paste went wrong