After a relaxing few days it was time to leave Oslo and actually begin our RTW ticket, starting with Qatar Airways’ Oslo to Doha flight. An 08.50 departure time made for an early start to take the train to the Gardermoen Airport.

We did need to visit the desks to complete check-in and be issued boarding passes through to Bahrain, but this was very quick. Security was similarly painless, and although we used fast track, the regular lanes seemed equally rapid.

oneworld flyers have the choice of precisely one lounge at Oslo: the imaginatively-named OSL Premium Lounge. The photos on the oneworld lounge finder appear to have been taken at night whilst the lounge was closed, and really don’t do it justice. We actually found it to be quite spacious, nicely furnished, and offering a fresh continental breakfast buffet (including, crucially, porridge). They also have wine on tap, which is generous given Norwegian wine prices.



We had a quick breakfast but didn’t dally as the lounge is before passport control. With only one officer stamping passports, progress was slow, and there was a moderate amount of harrumphing from those whose flights were being called. I rejoined Mrs tomppa29, who had sailed through, at the gate, and after a few minutes boarding commenced.

This service was operated by one of Qatar’s 787s, which meant reverse herringbone seating in Business Class rather than Qsuites. It’s a more open configuration but still very comfortable, and clean and well-maintained. We settled in with a glass of champagne, looking out at the drizzly morning and thinking of sunnier climes to come.



Qatar’s dine-on-demand concept was helpful as we could skip breakfast and save ourselves for lunch, which we asked to have around three hours after departure. The menu included both breakfast and all-day dining. We chose from the latter, though re-reading this now I slightly regret not ordering the Kunafa and Nutella croffle.




I passed the first few hours with a coffee, beginning to write this trip report, and then it was time to eat. I started with the Qatari mezze (for old time’s sake and to warm up for hummus-intensive Bahraini cuisine), whilst Mrs tomppa29 enjoyed the dill-marinated crayfish. Both accompanied with a glass of riesling, which was unmemorable.



We then moved on to the braised beef short ribs for Mrs tomppa29 and the ravioli for me. Both were perfectly pleasant, and enjoyed with a glass of the Chateau Paul Mas 'Clos des Mures'.





I was beginning to slow down but made it through half the cheese plate. Mrs tomppa29 was more committed, opting for both the cheese and the sour cherry clafoutis, improved - in her view - by being served with ice cream rather than crème anglaise, and accompanied by a glass of Sauternes.



Service was polite and professional, if not hugely proactive. The IFE offering was extensive, and I quite enjoyed The Life of Chuck over lunch, and a couple of episodes of sitcom Animal Control as we were coming in to land.

An enjoyable flight, overall. Qatar Airways is the reference business class for me - extremely consistent (barring one or two aircraft types) and the product of sustained investment in the hard and soft product. But whilst I’ve always been extremely satisfied by Qatar, I’ve rarely been surprised to the point of delight. I’d always be very happy to fly with them, but they aren’t always the really stand-out flight experiences.