Qatar Airways QR909 Sydney to Doha
Flight Details:
Airlines: Qatar Airways
Flight: QR909 SYD - DOH
Reg: A7-APH
Aircraft: Airbus A380-861
Class: Economy
Departure Sydney Airport Terminal 1: 9:00 PM [Actual: 9.20PM]
Arrival Doha Hamad International Airport: 4:55 AM [Actual: 5.25AM]
Flight time: 15 hours 20 mins
Distance: 12530 kilometers or 7785.78 miles
VIDEO: Qatar Airways QR909 Sydney to Doha
Introduction
This report is from Mar 2023. I was travelling to Mumbai for family union. I checked with my family members to coordinate our flights as we would visiting for a short duration.
Once I received confirmation, I checked Qatar Airways along with other airlines. Srilankan was the cheapest with the best time connection in both directions, followed by Singapore Airlines, Malaysian and others. Qatar Airways was the highest fare among the options.
Selecting Qatar Airways would also mean backtracking to Mumbai. It's not a preferred routing for someone travelling to western part of India.
I haven't found Youtube video on Doha as a destination, hope this experience helps those wishing to stop-over in Doha.
Booking Flight
I thought about the ticket for a few days and decided to book flight with Qatar Airways along with 4 days stay in Doha.
I booked hotel through Qatar Holidays , which was not required but I didn't want hassle of a separate hotel booking.
At the time of booking, I selected seat 53A.
You will notice the return flight has less baggage allowance as the flight is code-shared with Indigo Airlines.
I could have selected return trip on Qatar Airways but it would have meant 14hrs transit in Doha. I decided to keep the selection as the transit time of 1 hour 45 minutes was perfect.
Entered the passport details, made payment and the ticket sorted.
Travel Preparation
I started researching about Qatar- Sim card, currency, travel, cost. Watched Youtube video, checked out car rental. After watching the video, realised renting car wasn't a good idea.
Doha has a good metro rail network and taxi's are cheap, decided to use public transport.
Qatar has good telecom network, with 5G available. Ooredoo [formerly called Qatar Telecom (QTel)] being the best. I found information on visitor sim for Qatar Riyal 35 QAR available at the airport.
I called my family friend in Qatar and informed him that I would be coming to Doha. Got confirmation, he would drive me to places of my interest. I had local travel sorted.
My last visit to Doha was in 1996.
Money Exchange
I wanted to exchange few dollars to Qatar Riyal priors to departure, could not find any exchange in city that would sell QAR. After searching, I found 1 exchange in the Centrepoint, Townhall but the exchange rate was terrible. Was offered QAR1.89 for a Aussie dollar. Whereas the official rate is AUD $1 equals QAR 2.43. I decided to buy some at the Sydney airport to pay for transport to hotel.
Pre-Departure
With my travel plan sorted. I was busy with work till the last day. I check-in the flight day before departure.
[text]I had noticed that my seat had changed to an aisle seat at the time of check-in.
[/text]
[text]I checked if I could change to another, only option was middle seat. None of the windows seats were available. Being a long flight, I didn't change.
[/text]
After completing the check-in process and ticking the notice. Received a message that boarding pass would be issued at airport.
Day earlier on Friday, checked the inbound flight information. Qatar Airways A7-APH would be operating to Sydney. Being a Airbus A380-800, information from Airfleet website.
Seating information
Aircraft rotation information.
Qatar Airways flies the Doha - Sydney then back and after few hours flies to London. This pattern applied to most aircraft which operate the QR909 flight.
Another interesting observation was that all flights were delayed by half hour and the previous days flight was diverted to Mumbai. During flight, captain informed delay is due to headwind during the time of the year.
Arriving at the Airport
Started early from home.
I wanted to arrive early, knowing it's a Airbus A380 and not having received boarding pass.
Check-in counter- J for Qatar Airways flight at the entrance
Check-in
Check-in information display inside the terminal
Looked towards the check-in counter and people had formed queue before check-in opened. As the queue was getting longer, I joined in so as not to fall behind.
Within few minutes check-in opened and the line moved into the check-in area. Waited about 20 minutes to be called for bag drop. I was asked my destination, passport was checked and bag was tagged to Doha.
Immigration and Security
After receiving boarding pass. I passed the food court to enter the immigration. There was no queue at the immigration, scanned my passport and walked into security check area.
In security, there was hardly 2 or 3 people ahead of me, I had no issues and was in the departure area in no time.
Got a chicken kebab
Walked towards gate, which was on the other side of the terminal.
Mostly luxury brands, shops weren't busy at the time.
Entering the pier
I was early and the gate area was empty.
Qatar Airways flight QR908 had arrived and was parked at gate 60
While waiting and charging, had chicken kebab. Not that good, even though didn't have expectation from airport food.
As always, I take a photo of the boarding pass and passport, just in case I lose it.
Waiting area started to fill up with 3 flight to Arabian Gulf - Etihad, Emirates and Qatar departing within few minutes of each other. First flight to board was Etihad Boeing 777-300 to Abu Dhabi followed by Qatar Airbus A380 to Doha and then Emirates Airbus A380 to Dubai.
Passenger gathered around the gate,waiting for boarding call.
Boarding
Boarding was to commence shortly by Zone numbers.Time was 9.05 and boarding gate opened for the flight.
After the business and first along with Zone 1 passengers, next group was Zone 2. I joined the queue when the Zone was called. Boarding pass was scanned.
Entered the corridor and a second boarding pass scan was conducted before being allowed on the aerobridge.
View of Aircraft - Qatar Airway A7-APH operating QR909 to Doha
OnBoard
Short queue formed on the aerobridge. Cabin crew at the door checked the boarding pass and directed passengers to their seats.
Economy seating in lower deck 3-4-3.
I was seated in the last section of the aircraft.
Walking towards the last section.
Seat
Seat had blanket, headphone and amenity kit placed for all passengers. The fabric seat was comfortable. My neighbour, a girl working in financial firm heading to London for working. I found that when I chatted with her at end of flight.
Being long flight and seated in the middle seat. I said to her, if she want to get up to stretch or get up for toilet, let me know without hesitation.
Seat pocket material on the tray.
Switched on the IFE, to check flight details.
Seat Pocket Material
Amenity kit, air sickness bag and safety card.
Qatar Airways Airbus A380-800 safety card
Amenity kit pouch contained eye shade, socks, toothpaste and brush
Boarding completed.
Some people have no understanding of dimension. Cabin crew organised the bags and close the overhead storage.
Pushback and Taxi
Aircraft pushed back on time, safety demonstration was displayed on personal screen
A long taxi to runway 34L. Light were turned off for takeoff, Seated in aisle had to rely on onboard camera for outside view.
Flight information
Departure
Departure for this flight would be from runway 34L, heading north and then turning West. Flying over Western Sydney and out towards West NSW.
I checked the IFE as I had planned to sleep after cabin service.
Had my phone charged
Wi-Fi
Aircraft was equipped with WiFi, but I had problem connecting while in the seat. Later I tried connecting while in the toilet it worked. As I wasn't able to use, I stopped trying.
Wi-fi was available as a paid service
Messenger plan offers an hour free
I felt internet was pricey and did not purchase the package due to data limit.
Economy class menu was available online.
Attempting to login. It didn't work, gave up after few tries. From previous experience, Etihad offers better value for money.
Inflight Entertainment System
I browsed the IFE and checked the offering. As written earlier, I was waiting for cabin service. I had planned to sleep the first half of the flight after meal and then watch the IFE in the second half as it was past midnight Australian Eastern Time.
Checked some information on Qatar.
Cabin Service: DINNER
Cabin crew came out with trolley an hour and 45 mins after departure. Somewhere over Northern Territory.
Watched the video to hear the food options. I chose the chicken.
Chicken thigh roasted with mashed potatoes. I asked for gin with tonic for drinks. Chicken was soft and moist.
Flight information when food was served.
Flight information
Cockpit view
Crew came out with trolley for another round of drinks. I asked for whisky with ice and received a wafer chocolate.
Before sleeping, I went to toilet. Toilet was clean with perfume and handwash available for economy passengers.
Cabin lights were switched off after meal. Found my seat and slept for next few hours.
Somewhere near the Equator, experienced turbulence, seat belt sign was switched on. That broke my sleep.
As I had woken, crew in my section asked if I would like something to eat. I said yes. Received a Veg roll along with orange juice.
I would like to say from this experience. Crew pro-activeness is what makes Qatar Airways, a well awarded airline.
Veg roll and orange juice.
Past the half way point, aircraft heading towards Srilanka. Closer to Srilanka with 5 hours 30 minutes to arrival.
Entertainment
With less than 4 hours left for landing. I switched on the IFE. Headphone in the jack.
Lighted switch on
Cabin Service: Breakfast
Crew came with trolley and distributed breakfast 2 hours prior to landing. Somewhere close to coast of Oman.
Option was Veg, chicken or beef. I selected the chicken. On opening it was chicken with noodles. Food was good and had taste.
Flight information over UAE
Captain came on the speaker and announced descent would be commencing. He informed the flight is behind schedule due to strong headwind and to make up time they have commenced descend shortly. Aircraft would take a Northern approach to minimise taxi time after landing.
I started to chat with my co-passenger where I gathered details of her next flight and destination.
Landing
Heading North and then turning West and then South to land on runway 16L.
This flight is a red eye throughout its journey. Due to delay, sunrise was visible at landing. Passenger on the starboard side had a beautiful view of lit-up Doha city, flying past the Lusail and West Bay skyscrapers. If flying into Doha, better to sit on the right side, if lucky to will get the city view at landing when northern approach is taken. Port Side is better when taking off towards North. View is better during landing as aircraft is slowing.
Arrived at gate after a quick exit and taxied to Gate.
Disembarkation started soon after landing. I was in no rush and moved towards the window to enjoy the outside view.
Disembarkation
I collected my handbag and waited for others to disembark as Doha was my final port.
Video: Qatar Airways QR909 Sydney to Doha flight route
Aerobridge to terminal, Not spotter friendly. Can't view the outside.
Took escalator up for baggage claim. Departing passengers board from both level.
Arriving passenger have to walk through a long corridor. Arrival and departure area are separated by transit desk and security check. Signage shows the transit and baggage claim direction.
Discover Qatar
After reaching the end of the corridor, have to take escalator down to enter the immigration area. As I had a Discover Qatar, I checked with the ground staff where the counter was. It was on the left side with a sign.
Qatar has new mandatory requirement since Feb 2023 that all visitors must have health insurance. It has to be purchased from Qatari company, list is available on the Discover Qatar website. I paid QAR50 for months cover. At the time of purchasing the insurance, have to enter the passport details and date of entry in online form.
I showed the Discover Qatar voucher to the staff manned by local women. She entered the voucher code and returned the print paper back. She did not ask for any details as all the information was already available from booking and insurance.
Immigration and Security Check
After getting the details checked. I joined the immigration queue. The line moved slowly compared to others as someone has some issue with visa or passport. When my turn came, I handed my passport to the immigration officer who was a local women. She asked me where I was coming from. I answered her question. She scanned my passport and then asked me to look at a mirror then took my photo.
She stamped my passport with a 1 month visa. All this took a minute.
After immigration, I entered security check, where the handbag was x-rayed. The person was contractor from Africa . The x-ray was monitored by local man. I took my hand bag and walked in the baggage claim.
Baggage Claim and Exit
By the time, I reached the baggage claim, my bag was already on the belt.
Took the bag and then passed the customs, which is divided into Green - nothing to declare and Red - To declare sections. As I had nothing to declare walked outside. The custom officers where directing some passengers to red section after while they were walking towards exit.
Arrival Area
Exited the custom to enter the arrival area. I first looked for money exchange.
I found the money exchange on the right side in the corner. I changed AUD $100 and received QAR192. Being an airport exchange, I knew the rate won't be good. I had to accept the rate as I needed money for the Sim card and taxi.
After exchanging money, I looked for the Ooredoo kiosk for the sim card which was near the entrance. I got the visitor Sim. Got it set in my phone, called my friend to inform him of my local number.
All set I walked towards the taxi bay which is in the corner of the terminal.
Exiting Airport
Got into the Karwa taxi - government operated. Taxi driver was from Ghana. I told him the address, he wasn't sure. Anyways he entered the road details and set off to the hotel.
Video: Taxi Ride to West Bay, Doha
Green Karwa taxi. Traffic was heavy being a working day in Doha.
Video: Le Méridien City Center - Doha, Qatar
I reached hotel around 7a.m. I had a long chat with the receptionist and porter. Got the room key and got organised and then went for breakfast which was included the booking.
Hope you enjoyed the trip. Thanks for reading.
End of Trip
