QR Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge
Nov 25, 2017, 5:57 pm
#332
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I'm not sure it is fair to say that beverage offerings have declined. Fizzy stuff and wines have always been rotated seasonally. If you are referring to the serving of krug back in the day before al safwa opened, then it is helpful to remember that al mourjan was also ciiatering for First Class passengers when it first opened but is not now. Yes the a la carte menu has gone, and we don't know for sure whether that was a cut back or a health and safety issue, but in my experience if you ask nicely the staff will whip up something fresh from what they have, even if it's not Michelin star. But then it never was. And yes the deli is now closed during the afternoon, but there is almost nobody in the lounge then as there are almost no long haul flights at that time of day, made worse by no ex-regional connecting passengers. In any case, I certainly wouldn't want perishable items sitting around on display for hours before being served to me.
Personally, I preferred the old Premium Terminal. But apart from the crowds at certain times, I really don't see al mourjan having the massive, massive decline you describe
Personally, I preferred the old Premium Terminal. But apart from the crowds at certain times, I really don't see al mourjan having the massive, massive decline you describe
Nov 25, 2017, 7:40 pm
#333
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: UK
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The Pommery wasn't on display when they were serving it, at least not when I went through last week and had some. No Pommery right now, all Lanson.
The barman, who (rather impressively, given I'm not a frequent AM visitor) recalled our conversation on the subject a week ago, said they were expecting something different mid/end of this coming week, perhaps Billecart-Salmon or even Taittinger Comtes, though not sure of the level of speculation vs actual knowledge in those nominations.
The barman, who (rather impressively, given I'm not a frequent AM visitor) recalled our conversation on the subject a week ago, said they were expecting something different mid/end of this coming week, perhaps Billecart-Salmon or even Taittinger Comtes, though not sure of the level of speculation vs actual knowledge in those nominations.
Nov 27, 2017, 1:27 am
#334
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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"ME culture can’t sustain delivering premium services" -- I am in Al Mourjan quite regularly, and I've never encountered any employee who didn't have a very positive and service-oriented attitude. Nothing seems to be too much trouble for the staff there; and everything is delivered (both service and drinks, food, etc.) with a smile.
Nov 27, 2017, 4:00 am
#335
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Join Date: Apr 2017
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Posts: 609
So you're saying that this is a cultural issue as opposed to one based in saving money? I'll disagree with you on that.
"ME culture can’t sustain delivering premium services" -- I am in Al Mourjan quite regularly, and I've never encountered any employee who didn't have a very positive and service-oriented attitude. Nothing seems to be too much trouble for the staff there; and everything is delivered (both service and drinks, food, etc.) with a smile.
"ME culture can’t sustain delivering premium services" -- I am in Al Mourjan quite regularly, and I've never encountered any employee who didn't have a very positive and service-oriented attitude. Nothing seems to be too much trouble for the staff there; and everything is delivered (both service and drinks, food, etc.) with a smile.
Nov 27, 2017, 10:05 pm
#336
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Berlin
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When I was in AM last Saturday morning, all the hot food options at the buffet were vegetarian. Is this normal? OK, it was breakfast time in Doha, but for my felt timezone it was more lunchtime, so I was not interested in breakfast...
Other than that, I liked the lounge
Other than that, I liked the lounge
Nov 28, 2017, 5:15 am
#337
Join Date: Nov 2017
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don't get me wrong, but you checked BOTH buffets? on both sides?
Nov 28, 2017, 7:34 am
#338
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The secret to the high service levels might be the very employee vulnerability you cite. Where employees do not fit, they are easily replaced.
Nov 28, 2017, 10:20 am
#339
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Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 609
Interesting. But as your critics suggest, service in the lounge is generally friendly, efficient, pro-active. But I'm not sure of the continuity of service providers: I don't visit the lounge with sufficient frequency.
The secret to the high service levels might be the very employee vulnerability you cite. Where employees do not fit, they are easily replaced.
The secret to the high service levels might be the very employee vulnerability you cite. Where employees do not fit, they are easily replaced.
Nov 28, 2017, 5:16 pm
#340
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Hello - I want to make sure I am clear -- overwhelmingly, I have found the people who work in the lounge (or onboard) are kind, helpful and go the extra mile. I was referring to the actual quality and range of the available product. When I used the term ME culture I am referring to business culture, attitudes, behaviors... Things start out very strong but the quality isnt sustained over time despite the manpower to do so. IMHO for QR an example is the lounge food and beverage offerings that used to be so strong, another immediate example that comes to mind are the onboard meals on EY that went downhill so much.
Got you. But I wonder if the deterioration of service levels in QR isn't more a result of cost-cutting - and Lord know we've seen enough of that at BA.
QR's levels of service were probably always going to be unsustainable in the long run. A business model pitting glossy service against (relatively) low fares isn't going to work long in the airline industry. I've no doubt the strategy was to lift revenues through higher fares as customers got hooked on the shiny service: but the near constant sales and 2for1 offers suggest that hasn't happened. So the rational move is to rein in the costs most easily controlled.
Nov 29, 2017, 2:16 am
#342
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Nov 29, 2017, 2:55 am
#343
Join Date: Aug 2014
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Nov 29, 2017, 3:02 am
#345
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Doha, Qatar
Posts: 374
Prophet Mohammed's birthday.
Its not a public holiday in Qatar (it is in UAE) but in the past years the bars shut for one day. I've heard they will be shut either Thursday or Friday this week. The alcohol shop has already announced it will be closed on Friday.
Its not a public holiday in Qatar (it is in UAE) but in the past years the bars shut for one day. I've heard they will be shut either Thursday or Friday this week. The alcohol shop has already announced it will be closed on Friday.