Nov 5, 2015, 11:11 am
Last edit by: CPH-Flyer
READ BEFORE COMMENTING IF YOU ARE NEW,
Hamad International Airport (HIA) offers passengers a number of different lounges.
This thread, is specifically for the Al Safwa First Class Lounge. Information on the other Lounge options at HIA, can be found here.
Does Al Safwa have a web page?
Yes: http://www.qatarairways.com/global/e...-al-safwa.page
Dining Menu
https://www.qatarairways.com/content...-dining-en.pdf
Where can I find Al Safwa Lounge?
The Lounge is located on Level 3 of the airport.
Can I use the Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge?
Access is based on your underlying fare bucket. This means that upgraded tickets, maybe except upgrades with QPoints (see post 2735), are not granted access.
Access is thus restricted to Qatar Airways First Class, and OneWorld First Class passengers :
- either holding a First Class boarding pass* for their next flight
- or holding a First Class boarding pass from their previous flight.
Additionally, Privilege Club platinum club travelling on any business-class fare are welcomed into the lounge. This is a facility introduced recently and one that could just as easily disappear.
- Guests are not permitted.
* Operational Upgrades to First do not give access. Upgrades with Qpoints may do give acces (see post 2735 - Sept 2022)
Arrival access on mid and long haul? (eg. coming from LHR in F)
YES
Ex. CAI-DOH-HEL
Arrival access regional F? (eg. coming from CAI in F)
Yes.
Caveat, if your underlying J fare is P, then the no lounge access for business light kicks in. And there is no access.
Privilege Club Platinum members are currently allowed in the lounge when travelling on any QR business-class fare: that could change. Other Oneworld Emerald members are directed to the Platinum lounge(s) when travelling in any class, and the Al Mourjan lounge when travelling on relevant business-class fares. Yup, it gets complicated.
What does the lounge look like?
Reports on the Lounge, can be found here and here. Photographs of the lounge, can be found here.
Is there a Spa?
Yes, there is a full Spa, but you will have to pay for treatments. A full list of treatments available can be found here
What about the sleeping rooms?
Stargold in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28199729-post1177.html suggests that access to sleeping rooms is as follows:
'* No reservations allowed - always first-come first-served
* Only available if the remaining time until the flight departure is more than 4 hours
* Passengers are allowed maximum six hours' usage - for any further usage, a fee of QAR 450 is payable for a second block of six hours.
* No F&B of any kind except bottled water in the sleeping rooms.'
What changes can I expect during Ramadan?
Ramadan affects QR and you in many ways so please look at ramadan to see how you are affected.
Updated: 19/11/2023
Hamad International Airport (HIA) offers passengers a number of different lounges.
This thread, is specifically for the Al Safwa First Class Lounge. Information on the other Lounge options at HIA, can be found here.
Does Al Safwa have a web page?
Yes: http://www.qatarairways.com/global/e...-al-safwa.page
Dining Menu
https://www.qatarairways.com/content...-dining-en.pdf
Where can I find Al Safwa Lounge?
The Lounge is located on Level 3 of the airport.
Can I use the Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge?
Access is based on your underlying fare bucket. This means that upgraded tickets, maybe except upgrades with QPoints (see post 2735), are not granted access.
Access is thus restricted to Qatar Airways First Class, and OneWorld First Class passengers :
- either holding a First Class boarding pass* for their next flight
- or holding a First Class boarding pass from their previous flight.
Additionally, Privilege Club platinum club travelling on any business-class fare are welcomed into the lounge. This is a facility introduced recently and one that could just as easily disappear.
- Guests are not permitted.
* Operational Upgrades to First do not give access. Upgrades with Qpoints may do give acces (see post 2735 - Sept 2022)
Arrival access on mid and long haul? (eg. coming from LHR in F)
YES
Ex. CAI-DOH-HEL
Arrival access regional F? (eg. coming from CAI in F)
Yes.
Caveat, if your underlying J fare is P, then the no lounge access for business light kicks in. And there is no access.
Privilege Club Platinum members are currently allowed in the lounge when travelling on any QR business-class fare: that could change. Other Oneworld Emerald members are directed to the Platinum lounge(s) when travelling in any class, and the Al Mourjan lounge when travelling on relevant business-class fares. Yup, it gets complicated.
What does the lounge look like?
Reports on the Lounge, can be found here and here. Photographs of the lounge, can be found here.
Is there a Spa?
Yes, there is a full Spa, but you will have to pay for treatments. A full list of treatments available can be found here
What about the sleeping rooms?
Stargold in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28199729-post1177.html suggests that access to sleeping rooms is as follows:
'* No reservations allowed - always first-come first-served
* Only available if the remaining time until the flight departure is more than 4 hours
* Passengers are allowed maximum six hours' usage - for any further usage, a fee of QAR 450 is payable for a second block of six hours.
* No F&B of any kind except bottled water in the sleeping rooms.'
What changes can I expect during Ramadan?
Ramadan affects QR and you in many ways so please look at ramadan to see how you are affected.
Updated: 19/11/2023
QR Al Safwa First Class Lounge
Jan 28, 2017, 10:50 am
#1006
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum; Accor Le Club Platinum
Posts: 1,079
I was talking to a Qatar Airways lounge staff member today and he informed me that the Spa in the Al Safwa lounge would be made smaller in order to increase the number of sleeper rooms by 4-5.
He also told me that people had been taking existing rooms and using them like hotel rooms where they would leave their things in the room and go wandering for several hours. I am really surprised by this. Although it kind of reminds me of the village idiots that stay at a resort and run down to the pool at 6AM and 'reserve' lounge chairs by draping their towels, yet don't actually occupy the seat until several hours later
He also told me that people had been taking existing rooms and using them like hotel rooms where they would leave their things in the room and go wandering for several hours. I am really surprised by this. Although it kind of reminds me of the village idiots that stay at a resort and run down to the pool at 6AM and 'reserve' lounge chairs by draping their towels, yet don't actually occupy the seat until several hours later
Jan 28, 2017, 7:57 pm
#1008
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,764
One of my pet peeves. One hotel I frequent has addressed this with a rule which says that if you are absent from the lounge/pool area for 15 minutes or more, your lounge is deemed unoccupied and available.
Jan 30, 2017, 12:28 am
#1009
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: HHon Diamond, IHG Plat, SPG Gold, TG Gold, QR Plat, OZ Gold, AF Silver, Hertz #1 Gold, Priority Pass
Posts: 447
I am looking to upgrade using Q Credits on a BKK - DOH paid for ticket from J (R class) - F, arrival is around 12:40 and I then have a connection at 01:15 next day to EDI.
Couple of questions:
1. I presume I will be allowed Al Safwa access from the BKK - DOH leg.
2. I presume I will be allowed free STPC - any idea if I can got to Al Safwa first before taking the STPC option?
3. If I arrive back into HIA before midnight, can I access back to Al Safwa after exiting to Doha?
Thanks.
Couple of questions:
1. I presume I will be allowed Al Safwa access from the BKK - DOH leg.
2. I presume I will be allowed free STPC - any idea if I can got to Al Safwa first before taking the STPC option?
3. If I arrive back into HIA before midnight, can I access back to Al Safwa after exiting to Doha?
Thanks.
Jan 30, 2017, 1:43 am
#1010
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
EzzerBKK
1) As your flight time is over five hours you will have access to Al Safwa on arrival from BKK.
2) You do not qualify for STPC since there are shorter connections available.
3) There should be no problem accessing Al Safwa on your return from Doha.
1) As your flight time is over five hours you will have access to Al Safwa on arrival from BKK.
2) You do not qualify for STPC since there are shorter connections available.
3) There should be no problem accessing Al Safwa on your return from Doha.
Jan 30, 2017, 3:07 am
#1011
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Surrey, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, QRPC Silver
Posts: 518
I recently upgraded from J to F using Q credits from BKK-DOH what a lovely experience only 2 pax
Anyway was to my surprised met as I disembarked by a QR Lady who kindly escorted me to the Al Safwa lounge and escorted me back to boarding for QR9 to LHR
An amazing experience service was amazing by the all Thai cabin crew far beyond my expectations
The onward J class flight felt very ordinary LOL
Anyway was to my surprised met as I disembarked by a QR Lady who kindly escorted me to the Al Safwa lounge and escorted me back to boarding for QR9 to LHR
An amazing experience service was amazing by the all Thai cabin crew far beyond my expectations
The onward J class flight felt very ordinary LOL
Jan 30, 2017, 9:13 pm
#1013
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 11
Hi everyone. I'm new to this forum so I apologize in advance for my newbie questions.
There was a schedule change to my Air Canada flight to DXB, so I was looking at other options. I found an itinerary that includes the following flights that I would book using Avios:
British Airways (BAW123) LHR-DOH in F (22:10 to 07:05)
Qatar Airways (QR1022) DOH-DXB in Regional F (10:00 to 12:10)
My understanding (having read through several posts on this thread) is that I will have access to the Al Safwa Lounge based on my QR Regional F flight. Is 2h55m enough time for me to visit the Al Safwa lounge? Will I need to go through customs and immigration to access the Al Safwa lounge after arriving on a British Airways flight?
Thanks in advance for your help!!!
There was a schedule change to my Air Canada flight to DXB, so I was looking at other options. I found an itinerary that includes the following flights that I would book using Avios:
British Airways (BAW123) LHR-DOH in F (22:10 to 07:05)
Qatar Airways (QR1022) DOH-DXB in Regional F (10:00 to 12:10)
My understanding (having read through several posts on this thread) is that I will have access to the Al Safwa Lounge based on my QR Regional F flight. Is 2h55m enough time for me to visit the Al Safwa lounge? Will I need to go through customs and immigration to access the Al Safwa lounge after arriving on a British Airways flight?
Thanks in advance for your help!!!
Jan 30, 2017, 11:12 pm
#1014
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
flipflyer welcome to the QR forum.
You will be arriving in longhaul F and departing on regional F either one of which would qualify you to access Al Safwa lounge. You will have plenty of time to visit the lounge during your transfer.
Immigration and Customs are only for those who are actually leaving the airport and entering Qatar. As a transit passenger you will only have an extra seurity check, which is apparently very cursory.
I think that you will find the dashboard widget 'About DOH Airport' and its links extremely useful since they describe the transfer process.
You will be arriving in longhaul F and departing on regional F either one of which would qualify you to access Al Safwa lounge. You will have plenty of time to visit the lounge during your transfer.
Immigration and Customs are only for those who are actually leaving the airport and entering Qatar. As a transit passenger you will only have an extra seurity check, which is apparently very cursory.
I think that you will find the dashboard widget 'About DOH Airport' and its links extremely useful since they describe the transfer process.
Jan 31, 2017, 9:13 am
#1015
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 11
flipflyer welcome to the QR forum.
You will be arriving in longhaul F and departing on regional F either one of which would qualify you to access Al Safwa lounge. You will have plenty of time to visit the lounge during your transfer.
Immigration and Customs are only for those who are actually leaving the airport and entering Qatar. As a transit passenger you will only have an extra seurity check, which is apparently very cursory.
I think that you will find the dashboard widget 'About DOH Airport' and its links extremely useful since they describe the transfer process.
You will be arriving in longhaul F and departing on regional F either one of which would qualify you to access Al Safwa lounge. You will have plenty of time to visit the lounge during your transfer.
Immigration and Customs are only for those who are actually leaving the airport and entering Qatar. As a transit passenger you will only have an extra seurity check, which is apparently very cursory.
I think that you will find the dashboard widget 'About DOH Airport' and its links extremely useful since they describe the transfer process.
Jan 31, 2017, 9:50 am
#1016
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,764
It is cursory, as remdk suggested. You don't have to remove laptops from your carryon. On some arriving flights, connecting pax have no additional security, -- they are waved directly into the departures area.
Jan 31, 2017, 12:32 pm
#1017
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, UA Platinum, Alaksa MVP 75K, Air Berlin Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,389
I was talking to a Qatar Airways lounge staff member today and he informed me that the Spa in the Al Safwa lounge would be made smaller in order to increase the number of sleeper rooms by 4-5.
He also told me that people had been taking existing rooms and using them like hotel rooms where they would leave their things in the room and go wandering for several hours. I am really surprised by this. Although it kind of reminds me of the village idiots that stay at a resort and run down to the pool at 6AM and 'reserve' lounge chairs by draping their towels, yet don't actually occupy the seat until several hours later
He also told me that people had been taking existing rooms and using them like hotel rooms where they would leave their things in the room and go wandering for several hours. I am really surprised by this. Although it kind of reminds me of the village idiots that stay at a resort and run down to the pool at 6AM and 'reserve' lounge chairs by draping their towels, yet don't actually occupy the seat until several hours later
On the flip side, I don't actually see anything wrong with people leaving stuff in their sleeper room during their time in it. If others are waiting, sure, I could see the issue, but if not, I see no problem. When I used the lounge last fall, I didn't sleep for the 6 hours I had the room. I napped, woke up, went out to the lounge and had some food and then sat at the bar for a bit. I was allotted my room for 6 hours and what I did with it during that time is my choice.
Jan 31, 2017, 7:46 pm
#1018
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,832
Thanks!
Jan 31, 2017, 9:01 pm
#1019
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,918
Feb 1, 2017, 7:34 am
#1020
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,832
It is possible to store things in the lockers whilst you leave the airport, but based upon my experience of doing so in my DIY Night tour of Doha you might not want to be too open about your intentions to leave the airport
But my question is about al Safwa, not al Mourjan. The answer may be the same, of course, but it would be nice to know. Alternatively, is there another place to store bags at HIA? I've read bits and pieces that there is, but nothing solid.