Aug 24, 2018, 6:27 am
Last edit by: quinzinho
For those flying, by all means enter your flight details below so we can see if anyone is flying together.
Eating Options and Tips - https://trip101.com/article/penang-food-guide-23-things-that-will-make-your-waistline-grow
Activities and Experiences - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penang_Hill_Railway --- https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g298302-Activities-Penang.html
Hotels - https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pr-penang.html ---
27-OCT-18 BA2880 EDI-DOH msm2000uk
28-OCT-18 BA4488 DOH-PEN msm2000uk
30-OCT-18 BA4489 PEN-DOH msm2000uk
31-OCT-18 BA7009 DOH-LHR msm2000uk
31-OCT-18 BA1442 LHR-EDI msm2000uk
10-NOV-18 BA2880 EDI-DOH godsavethepoints
11-NOV-18 BA4488 DOH-PEN godsavethepoints
17-NOV-18 BA4489 PEN-DOH godsavethepoints
18-NOV-18 BA7007 DOH-LHR godsavethepoints
18-NOV-18 BA1446 LHR-EDI godsavethepoints
08-DEC-18 BA2880 EDI-DOH msm2000uk
08-DEC-18 BA2880 EDI-DOH scallywag72
09-DEC-18 BA4488 DOH-PEN msm2000uk
09-DEC-18 BA4488 DOH-PEN scallywag72
09-DEC-18 BA4489 PEN-DOH msm2000uk
09-DEC-18 BA4489 PEN-DOH scallywag72
10-DEC-18 BA7009 DOH-LHR msm2000uk
10-DEC-18 BA7009 DOH-LHR scallywag72
10-DEC-18 BA1440 LHR-EDI msm2000uk
10-DEC-18 BA1440 LHR-EDI scallywag72
11-JAN-19 BA1441 EDI-LHR victairinternational
11-JAN-19 BA7008 LHR-DOH victairinternational
12-JAN-19 BA4488 DOH-PEN victairinternational
13 -JAN-19 BA4489 PEN-DOH victairinternational
14-JAN-19 BA7009 DOH-LHR victairinternational
14-JAN-19 BA1440 LHR-EDI victairinternational
19-JAN-19 BA2880 EDI-DOH Wbeest
20-JAN-19 BA4488 DOH-PEN Wbeest
20-JAN-19 BA1459 EDI-LHR KARFA
24-JAN-19 BA4489 PEN-DOH Wbeest
25-JAN-19 BA2881 DOH-EDI Wbeest
02-FEB-19 BA2880 EDI-DOH S_W_S
03-FEB-19 BA4488 DOH-PEN S_W_S
16-FEB-19 BA4489 PEN-DOH S_W_S
17-FEB-19 BA7009 DOH-LHR S_W_S
17-FEB-19 BA1442 LHR-EDI S_W_S
24-MAR-19 BA8719 EDI-LCY armouredant
25-MAR-19 BA7008 LHR-DOH armouredant
26-MAR-19 BA4488 DOH-PEN armouredant
20-APR-19 BA4489 PEN-DOH armouredant
21-APR-19 BA7009 DOH-LHR armouredant
03-JUN-19 BA1441 EDI-LHR IAANN
03-JUN-19 BA7004 LHR-DOH IAANN
04-JUN-19 BA4488 DOH-PEN IAANN
08-JUN-19 BA4489 PEN-DOH IAANN
09-JUN-19 BA7009 DOH-LHR IAANN
09-JUN-19 BA1438 LHR-EDI IAANN
28-JUN-19 BA7004 LHR-DOH KARFA
29-JUN-19 BA4488 DOH-PEN KARFA
29-JUN-19 BA4489 PEN-DOH KARFA
30-JUN-19 BA7009 DOH-LHR KARFA
06-JUL-19 BA1442 LHR-EDI KARFA
Eating Options and Tips - https://trip101.com/article/penang-food-guide-23-things-that-will-make-your-waistline-grow
Activities and Experiences - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penang_Hill_Railway --- https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g298302-Activities-Penang.html
Hotels - https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pr-penang.html ---
27-OCT-18 BA2880 EDI-DOH msm2000uk
28-OCT-18 BA4488 DOH-PEN msm2000uk
30-OCT-18 BA4489 PEN-DOH msm2000uk
31-OCT-18 BA7009 DOH-LHR msm2000uk
31-OCT-18 BA1442 LHR-EDI msm2000uk
10-NOV-18 BA2880 EDI-DOH godsavethepoints
11-NOV-18 BA4488 DOH-PEN godsavethepoints
17-NOV-18 BA4489 PEN-DOH godsavethepoints
18-NOV-18 BA7007 DOH-LHR godsavethepoints
18-NOV-18 BA1446 LHR-EDI godsavethepoints
08-DEC-18 BA2880 EDI-DOH msm2000uk
08-DEC-18 BA2880 EDI-DOH scallywag72
09-DEC-18 BA4488 DOH-PEN msm2000uk
09-DEC-18 BA4488 DOH-PEN scallywag72
09-DEC-18 BA4489 PEN-DOH msm2000uk
09-DEC-18 BA4489 PEN-DOH scallywag72
10-DEC-18 BA7009 DOH-LHR msm2000uk
10-DEC-18 BA7009 DOH-LHR scallywag72
10-DEC-18 BA1440 LHR-EDI msm2000uk
10-DEC-18 BA1440 LHR-EDI scallywag72
11-JAN-19 BA1441 EDI-LHR victairinternational
11-JAN-19 BA7008 LHR-DOH victairinternational
12-JAN-19 BA4488 DOH-PEN victairinternational
13 -JAN-19 BA4489 PEN-DOH victairinternational
14-JAN-19 BA7009 DOH-LHR victairinternational
14-JAN-19 BA1440 LHR-EDI victairinternational
19-JAN-19 BA2880 EDI-DOH Wbeest
20-JAN-19 BA4488 DOH-PEN Wbeest
20-JAN-19 BA1459 EDI-LHR KARFA
24-JAN-19 BA4489 PEN-DOH Wbeest
25-JAN-19 BA2881 DOH-EDI Wbeest
02-FEB-19 BA2880 EDI-DOH S_W_S
03-FEB-19 BA4488 DOH-PEN S_W_S
16-FEB-19 BA4489 PEN-DOH S_W_S
17-FEB-19 BA7009 DOH-LHR S_W_S
17-FEB-19 BA1442 LHR-EDI S_W_S
24-MAR-19 BA8719 EDI-LCY armouredant
25-MAR-19 BA7008 LHR-DOH armouredant
26-MAR-19 BA4488 DOH-PEN armouredant
20-APR-19 BA4489 PEN-DOH armouredant
21-APR-19 BA7009 DOH-LHR armouredant
03-JUN-19 BA1441 EDI-LHR IAANN
03-JUN-19 BA7004 LHR-DOH IAANN
04-JUN-19 BA4488 DOH-PEN IAANN
08-JUN-19 BA4489 PEN-DOH IAANN
09-JUN-19 BA7009 DOH-LHR IAANN
09-JUN-19 BA1438 LHR-EDI IAANN
28-JUN-19 BA7004 LHR-DOH KARFA
29-JUN-19 BA4488 DOH-PEN KARFA
29-JUN-19 BA4489 PEN-DOH KARFA
30-JUN-19 BA7009 DOH-LHR KARFA
06-JUL-19 BA1442 LHR-EDI KARFA
The Satay Fare EDI-PEN-EDI
Oct 14, 2018, 8:56 am
#181
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 860
When I called up the service center their initial comment was "we need to check the rules since this is a BA coded flight operated by Qatar". They put me on hold for ~5 minutes and came back saying they checked the rules but because the fare was less than $400 each way it wasn't eligible. So whether this means that it was OK for BA coded tickets and only wasn't allowed because of the fare amount or if they didn't even look into the BA code and just saw the fare amount, I don't know.
Oct 22, 2018, 12:15 pm
#182
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Original Poster
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: 8,944
I've booked 2 hotels for the trip, entirely accidentally.
I have the Doubletree in Batu Ferranghi, which I've since learnt is definitely not for me! However, I have also booked 23 Love Lane, which despite it's odd name, actually looks like a great old-fashioned boutique hotel.
I shall report back after this weekend!
M
I have the Doubletree in Batu Ferranghi, which I've since learnt is definitely not for me! However, I have also booked 23 Love Lane, which despite it's odd name, actually looks like a great old-fashioned boutique hotel.
I shall report back after this weekend!
M
Oct 22, 2018, 11:45 pm
#183
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Penang, Malaysia
Programs: BAEC Silver, ALL Gold
Posts: 110
I've booked 2 hotels for the trip, entirely accidentally.
I have the Doubletree in Batu Ferranghi, which I've since learnt is definitely not for me! However, I have also booked 23 Love Lane, which despite it's odd name, actually looks like a great old-fashioned boutique hotel.
I shall report back after this weekend!
M
I have the Doubletree in Batu Ferranghi, which I've since learnt is definitely not for me! However, I have also booked 23 Love Lane, which despite it's odd name, actually looks like a great old-fashioned boutique hotel.
I shall report back after this weekend!
M
It's been cleaned up and is now backpacker central. Very happening area with tons of bars and hang out places.
Oct 22, 2018, 11:55 pm
#184
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Original Poster
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: 8,944
Backpacker central worries me slightly, but at least I'll get to experience George Town!
M
Oct 23, 2018, 12:03 am
#185
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Penang, Malaysia
Programs: BAEC Silver, ALL Gold
Posts: 110
It's very safe though, because of the crowds, and both Chulia Street and Kimberley Street have excellent street food at night.
On the nearby Campbell Street lies Hameediyah, the best Nasi Briyani in town. Karaikudi is a little bit further, in Little India, and serves excellent Northern Indian food.
Oct 23, 2018, 12:36 am
#186
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Original Poster
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: 8,944
The UNESCO heritage area is quite small, so you'll find both high end hotels and low end backpacker inns all in the same area. As you mentioned, Seven Terraces is just down the road, along with Muntri Mews and The Edison, and then you have a Capsule Hotel just nearby, along with the really cheap backpacker inns.
It's very safe though, because of the crowds, and both Chulia Street and Kimberley Street have excellent street food at night.
On the nearby Campbell Street lies Hameediyah, the best Nasi Briyani in town. Karaikudi is a little bit further, in Little India, and serves excellent Northern Indian food.
It's very safe though, because of the crowds, and both Chulia Street and Kimberley Street have excellent street food at night.
On the nearby Campbell Street lies Hameediyah, the best Nasi Briyani in town. Karaikudi is a little bit further, in Little India, and serves excellent Northern Indian food.
I've got 48 hours in George Town, and other than a 3 hour meeting, I'd like to explore the area a little.
Thanks for the food tips...I'm a massive food-tourist, so the more places to visit, the better!
M
Oct 23, 2018, 7:02 am
#187
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
I actually *need* to be in PEN in a couple of weeks, but was in a meeting when the whole Satay fare came up... 
But because I'm a nice person, here are some food tips for my favourite dish on the planet. Not satay though.
But because I'm a nice person, here are some food tips for my favourite dish on the planet. Not satay though.
Oct 23, 2018, 10:11 am
#188
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Original Poster
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: 8,944
I actually *need* to be in PEN in a couple of weeks, but was in a meeting when the whole Satay fare came up...
But because I'm a nice person, here are some food tips for my favourite dish on the planet. Not satay though.
But because I'm a nice person, here are some food tips for my favourite dish on the planet. Not satay though.
I'll let you know how I get on!
I named the Satay Fare, but seem to have picked a food which isn't really served in Penang! Oops!
M
Oct 30, 2018, 6:14 am
#189
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Original Poster
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: 8,944
So while there was a lot of Satay around PEN, Hokienn Mee was probably the most popular dish I saw
Georgetown was a lovely place to walk around, and 23 Love Lane was a great base (and they gave me late check out until 5pm which was fantastic seeing as the flight back wasn't until 825pm).
PEN as an airport is very manageable, and I've been upgraded to F on my DOH-LHR leg, so am exceptionally delighted!
Two tips for the airport:
1. There is an ATM under the escalators in the Arrivals area after customs.
2. Grab Taxi charge around 22 MR into Georgetown. The cabdrivers in Arrivals charge 40 MR, while the official taxi desk in Arrivals, charge 44.70 MR.
I used Grab throughout the city, and it was very reliable, safe, and cheap. One thing I would say though, is to check the location pin carefully, as it wasn't the most accurate on a couple of occasions.
M
Georgetown was a lovely place to walk around, and 23 Love Lane was a great base (and they gave me late check out until 5pm which was fantastic seeing as the flight back wasn't until 825pm).
PEN as an airport is very manageable, and I've been upgraded to F on my DOH-LHR leg, so am exceptionally delighted!
Two tips for the airport:
1. There is an ATM under the escalators in the Arrivals area after customs.
2. Grab Taxi charge around 22 MR into Georgetown. The cabdrivers in Arrivals charge 40 MR, while the official taxi desk in Arrivals, charge 44.70 MR.
I used Grab throughout the city, and it was very reliable, safe, and cheap. One thing I would say though, is to check the location pin carefully, as it wasn't the most accurate on a couple of occasions.
M
Oct 30, 2018, 9:41 am
#190
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Programs: BAEC Gold [>20k Lifetime TPs] | Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond [as is Mrs PtF] | Various Others
Posts: 6,156
Nov 4, 2018, 7:31 am
#191
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 860
I logged in to check if I could see the menu for my upcoming EDI-DOH-PEN-DOH-LHR-EDI flights and although I couldn't see the pre-order menu, I did notice that my PEN-DOH flight has just been updated to a 788 seat layout! The aircraft type on the QR website still shows A330, but ExpertFlyer is showing it as a 788 which lines up with the QR seat map. This means I now get A350, 787s and A380 on all legs aside from LHR-EDI (assuming there are no more equipment changes... which I know is very possible with QR).
Nov 5, 2018, 3:57 am
#192
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)
Posts: 7,325
People who have flown this - what have the loads been like?
I'm flying in a couple of weeks and my EDI-PEN has 3 seats taken. DOH-PEN about the same. Little heavier coming home but still well before half full.
I'm flying in a couple of weeks and my EDI-PEN has 3 seats taken. DOH-PEN about the same. Little heavier coming home but still well before half full.
Nov 5, 2018, 4:24 am
#193
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Original Poster
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: 8,944
EDI-DOH Full in J
DOH-PEN 19/22
PEN-DOH 11/22
DOH-LHR Full in J due to aircraft swap
M
Nov 7, 2018, 11:14 pm
#194
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: ZRH
Programs: LX SEN, HH Diamond, BA Gold
Posts: 28
My DOH-PEN and PEN-DOH leg were switched from A330 to a B787-8 too. This screwed up my seat reservations. As @Wozza2404 mentioned, I'm a bit worried too as my flight back seems to be almost empty in both classes.
Nov 8, 2018, 2:09 am
#195
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Original Poster
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: 8,944
My DOH-PEN and PEN-DOH leg were switched from A330 to a B787-8 too. This screwed up my seat reservations. As @Wozza2404 mentioned, I'm a bit worried too as my flight back seems to be almost empty in both classes.
If my assumptions are wrong, and it's entirely possible, I can't see the route being long lived.
M