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
Oct 23, 2015, 12:34 am
#110
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Australia
Programs: KrisFlyer, AA, Qantas, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 592
Oct 23, 2015, 2:42 am
#111
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: BHX
Programs: LH Sen for life; QR Plat; FB Gold; Bonvoy Gold for life
Posts: 370
I flew BKK-DOH-CDG in F last Saturday with 8 hrs in the Al Mourjan. It was a noisy zoo but I was lucky enough to get a quiet "room" which would have been quiet but for someone snoring VERY LOUDLY.
I was told Al Safwa would be opening mid November so the earlier opening may bew seen as a bonus.
I will be back through DOH in December so I am getting my complaints about Al Safwa ready.
1 I don't want any of that Krug rubbish, give me Lambrusco.
2 This chair is too soft.
3 That unicorn is making too much noise.
I was told Al Safwa would be opening mid November so the earlier opening may bew seen as a bonus.
I will be back through DOH in December so I am getting my complaints about Al Safwa ready.
1 I don't want any of that Krug rubbish, give me Lambrusco.
2 This chair is too soft.
3 That unicorn is making too much noise.
Oct 23, 2015, 3:00 am
#113
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,949
While the Al Safwa has now officially opened, it should be noted that this is likely a 'Soft Launch'.
As with any new space, I would be surprised if things are perfect from the get go (despite the 'months of staff training etc').
As I am not in Qatar today, I am unable to look through the local media sources, but it surprises me that QR haven't made a big song and dance about its opening.
Perhaps they figured that doing so, would lead to awkward questions over its delay in opening, or perhaps they are waiting for the Emir (or National Day) to announce the full opening of the lounge - by which time things ought to be perfect.
I am through HIA at the end of November, so will go and play in the Al Safwa for a couple of hours. I'm absolutely certain that by that time, we will have as many praisers as complainers about the lounge.
As with any new space, I would be surprised if things are perfect from the get go (despite the 'months of staff training etc').
As I am not in Qatar today, I am unable to look through the local media sources, but it surprises me that QR haven't made a big song and dance about its opening.
Perhaps they figured that doing so, would lead to awkward questions over its delay in opening, or perhaps they are waiting for the Emir (or National Day) to announce the full opening of the lounge - by which time things ought to be perfect.
I am through HIA at the end of November, so will go and play in the Al Safwa for a couple of hours. I'm absolutely certain that by that time, we will have as many praisers as complainers about the lounge.
Oct 23, 2015, 3:47 am
#114
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,836
Are access rules confirmed?
What should be certain:
Are the following confirmed?
I've read so many different things on this topic...
What should be certain:
- Passengers departing on a QR flight in First Class, both long-haul and GCC
- Passengers departing on another OW carrier in First Class (=currently that is British Airwways)
- NO access for OWE not flying in QR or OW First Class. They're sent to Al Mourjan
Are the following confirmed?
- Passengers incoming on QR in First Class but continuing after >5 hours on QR not in First Class?
- Incoming flight can be from GCC or any other longhaul destination?
- Passengers that have looong transfer in DOH (e.g. arrive in First from BAH one afternoon at 3.30pm, leave next morning at 8am in J to LHR) have access despite having left the airport in the meantime? Technically this is not a stopover (less than 24 hours) but a long transfer (more than 5 hours)
I've read so many different things on this topic...
Oct 23, 2015, 4:32 am
#116
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: QR Gold, BAEC, Marriott Rewards Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,142
Are access rules confirmed?
What should be certain:
I've read so many different things on this topic...
What should be certain:
- Passengers departing on a QR flight in First Class, both long-haul and GCC
- Passengers departing on another OW carrier in First Class (=currently that is British Airwways)
- NO access for OWE not flying in QR or OW First Class. They're sent to Al Mourjan
I've read so many different things on this topic...
Oct 23, 2015, 4:35 am
#117
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,836
Maybe we should do a Wiki on this now that the new lounge has opened (or update an exisitng one?). Of course we still need confirmation for the ones where there was a question mark.
Oct 23, 2015, 6:42 am
#120
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: QR Gold, BAEC, Marriott Rewards Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,142
Rumour had it previously that QR would be opening dedicated Gold & Silver lounges at HIA, but I wouldn't indulge in any breath holding exercises if I were you...