OT: Qatar - wow! [Airline rather than country]
Nov 25, 2008, 8:27 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: London, Sydney
Programs: Muccihood de la Rotisserie Doree, BAEC Gold, SAS Eurobonus basic, Ansett Golden Wing :-(
Posts: 3,114
OT: Qatar - wow! [Airline rather than country]
Just flown a few short flights into and out of DOH. Both flights less than a hour, but served a choice of hot dishes, and addressed by name, in big comfy armchair style seats in permanent 2+2 configuration on A321s. A dedicated F bus with just 10 armchair seats and wood grain shelves for our hand luggage took us directly to the fast track immigration area at DOH and out to the plane; those pax with long haul connections were whisked away in a BMW. In the lounge I took off my jacket while sitting in the dining room and someone appeared with a portable jacket hanger; the champagne was delivered on the merest raise of a finger (whereas in LHR T5 F you have to trek for 100m to find the bubbles!).
I realise that BA's size and pax numbers make this sort of service impractical to deliver but it was such a nice relaxed way to fly. If in the ME, do give Qatar a try.
Oh, they share a lounge with BA in AUH - quite pleasant with PCs and tasty hot food but we were there mid afternoon when it was quiet. It would be tight ahead of a busy BA flight departure I would think.
I realise that BA's size and pax numbers make this sort of service impractical to deliver but it was such a nice relaxed way to fly. If in the ME, do give Qatar a try.
Oh, they share a lounge with BA in AUH - quite pleasant with PCs and tasty hot food but we were there mid afternoon when it was quiet. It would be tight ahead of a busy BA flight departure I would think.
Nov 25, 2008, 8:40 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 13,278 Feet and Climbing
Programs: BAEC Blue, British Airways ID, Lloyds TSB Visa Debit Card
Posts: 1,217
I used QR about three years ago for a little day-jolly.... QR LHR-DOH, EK DOH-DXB, EK DXB-LGW and found QR absolutely superb. Even down the back (staff travel!).
GREAT staff, GREAT IFE, GREAT food, GREAT service all round.
I concur. If you cannot fly BA or a One World partner (which should always be everyone's first choice
), go QR.
GREAT staff, GREAT IFE, GREAT food, GREAT service all round.
I concur. If you cannot fly BA or a One World partner (which should always be everyone's first choice
), go QR.
Nov 25, 2008, 8:45 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA/BD Gold/IC A/*Wood Gold - Certified BodyCombat and BodyPump Instructor
Posts: 6,070
One of my collegues used the recently as they were £200 cheaper pp to DXB than EK.
Said it was absolutely brilliant and really enjoyed the flights.
Said it was absolutely brilliant and really enjoyed the flights.
Nov 25, 2008, 9:06 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: London, Sydney
Programs: Muccihood de la Rotisserie Doree, BAEC Gold, SAS Eurobonus basic, Ansett Golden Wing :-(
Posts: 3,114
Edited to add - not sure if they fly to Oz so may be not a threat to BA/QF then.
Nov 25, 2008, 9:08 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Programs: Mucci of the Dominion of Maple and Moose; Keeper of Sir MightyMoose; BAEC Silver; AC MileagePlus
Posts: 1,311
Hi JS - when you find out, would you mind posting the quotes here for comparison? Ta!^
Nov 25, 2008, 9:40 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold, UA Gold
Posts: 2,022
Hmmm. Was going to take Qatar to KUL this weekend (nice two flight journey from MAN) but didn't because I didn't have anywhere to dump the miles.
Instead going AF to SIN then MI onwards in a three flights each way PITA trip which is more expensive as well. The things we do for miles and status.
Instead going AF to SIN then MI onwards in a three flights each way PITA trip which is more expensive as well. The things we do for miles and status.
Nov 25, 2008, 9:41 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: It's Grim Oop North!
Programs: BA & A3 - Silver and fading
Posts: 182
Agree, this is a good option.
Earlier this year I had to take a (MAN)-LHR-DOH-PVG using QR in J due to the price and it was a fantastic experience. Their slopey flat J seats (similar to the BMI J seat on a MAN-ORD) are not as good as the BA NCW or NGCW beds but given the price was 50% of BA I couldn't really grumble.
The excellent food and champagne, extremely attentitve service, IFE with AVOD & huge choice, well designed cabins and transfer experience using the dedicated premium terminal in DOH really makes this incredible value for money.
Plus I got 2 x BMI miles as well (although these are destination miles only of course). The only thing I really missed from a BA long haul was the tier points
but seeing as I should still make Gold again this year I am OK with that.
All in all not a bad option for travel east if you don't mind changing (and given the ease at DOH I am sure many would not).
Signed
Bad Attitude
Earlier this year I had to take a (MAN)-LHR-DOH-PVG using QR in J due to the price and it was a fantastic experience. Their slopey flat J seats (similar to the BMI J seat on a MAN-ORD) are not as good as the BA NCW or NGCW beds but given the price was 50% of BA I couldn't really grumble.
The excellent food and champagne, extremely attentitve service, IFE with AVOD & huge choice, well designed cabins and transfer experience using the dedicated premium terminal in DOH really makes this incredible value for money.
Plus I got 2 x BMI miles as well (although these are destination miles only of course). The only thing I really missed from a BA long haul was the tier points
but seeing as I should still make Gold again this year I am OK with that.All in all not a bad option for travel east if you don't mind changing (and given the ease at DOH I am sure many would not).
Signed
Bad Attitude
Nov 25, 2008, 10:19 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: LINCS England
Programs: GHA Gold Priority Club Gold,Etihad Guest,EK Skywards,BA exec and QR privilege
Posts: 447
Hi,
we booked QR LGW>DOH>BKK r/t in J (D actually,their discount business class) cost 1702 GBP each which has to be a bargain.I hope:
a) the political strife in Bangkok doesn't stop us.
b) QR live up to their reputation.
The flight times are brilliant for us,09:15 dep LGW,07:20 arr BKK
then 20:05 dep BKK,arr LGW 06:55
we booked QR LGW>DOH>BKK r/t in J (D actually,their discount business class) cost 1702 GBP each which has to be a bargain.I hope:
a) the political strife in Bangkok doesn't stop us.
b) QR live up to their reputation.
The flight times are brilliant for us,09:15 dep LGW,07:20 arr BKK
then 20:05 dep BKK,arr LGW 06:55
Nov 25, 2008, 11:19 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, UK
Posts: 567
Hi,
we booked QR LGW>DOH>BKK r/t in J (D actually,their discount business class) cost 1702 GBP each which has to be a bargain.I hope:
a) the political strife in Bangkok doesn't stop us.
b) QR live up to their reputation.
The flight times are brilliant for us,09:15 dep LGW,07:20 arr BKK
then 20:05 dep BKK,arr LGW 06:55
we booked QR LGW>DOH>BKK r/t in J (D actually,their discount business class) cost 1702 GBP each which has to be a bargain.I hope:
a) the political strife in Bangkok doesn't stop us.
b) QR live up to their reputation.
The flight times are brilliant for us,09:15 dep LGW,07:20 arr BKK
then 20:05 dep BKK,arr LGW 06:55
You made a good choice with QR.
I feel that EK is getting too successful nowadays and as a consequence EK has pushed up its prices so the value isn't there like it was before.
Nov 25, 2008, 11:31 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: BNE
Posts: 2,622
Looks like I am in the minority then!
I was not particularly impressed with them. Sure the onboard First lounge and the BMW transfer were pleasant experiences. Although it is worth noting that the onboard lounge has now been removed IIRC.
We only paid £1500 each for our LHR-DOH-HKG return trip (trip report here) and I do not feel that it was particularly good value. Only 1 set of crew were good/exceptional whilst the others were below par. I do not like the idea of having to pay for a spa treatment in a First Class lounge. I did not like QR advertising various features of the spa on their website before those features are complete and open for use. I do not like being disturbed by staff every 15 mins in a First Class lounge and being asked 'Are you flying to xxx'.
I would never set foot on them again.
I was not particularly impressed with them. Sure the onboard First lounge and the BMW transfer were pleasant experiences. Although it is worth noting that the onboard lounge has now been removed IIRC.
We only paid £1500 each for our LHR-DOH-HKG return trip (trip report here) and I do not feel that it was particularly good value. Only 1 set of crew were good/exceptional whilst the others were below par. I do not like the idea of having to pay for a spa treatment in a First Class lounge. I did not like QR advertising various features of the spa on their website before those features are complete and open for use. I do not like being disturbed by staff every 15 mins in a First Class lounge and being asked 'Are you flying to xxx'.
I would never set foot on them again.
Nov 25, 2008, 12:56 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,441
Intra-Gulf Y isn't too bad either. Respectable leg room, a moderate little snack, super clean planes. Ground handlng at RUH sucks and never book a 45min connection at DOH, for the sake of your sanity.