Recent Experiences onboard QR
May 6, 2019, 3:44 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: Ba gold, gha black
Posts: 283
Recent Experiences onboard QR
Just completed an ARN - DOH - DKK and return in J, flying a 787, 777 and A350, with 3 of the 4 sectord in Q-Suites.
Q-Suites. I was flying with my wife and we tried all the seats. The single window seat, the "bed seat" and the partner seats opposite the bed seats. My thought on them were that the bed seats gave by far the most impression of space, although proximity of the televisions could be a little bothersome. What i didnt like on all the flights, was the cubby hole to rest your feet. Im 6ft 1 and reality if there is only room for 1 foot, unless you want to lay on your side to sleep, and then it becomes a tight fit. On some of the seats you are also a little close to the door panel, as has been mentioned here numerous times.... I flew Q-Suites once last year and this was my second try... I didn't have the same sense of excitement again after trying them, and the reality at the end of the day, is that it is just a seat, but the privacy you feel, is much better on the 787. The 787 business seat is beginning to feel nothing special, but that is also driven by the constant product enhancements Qatar is rolling out.
Movies - Maybe im wrong, but didnt feel that the movies were as upto date as they once were. Of course, selection is still strong, but nothing really lept off the page for me to watch. Alot of the films were old.
Ammenity - Same product, different bags. PJs good if needed.
Food and beverage - I thought the food was of a high standard, but you can clealy see cutbacks on presentation on items such as the arabic mezze, from a few years back. It also becomes a bit tiring on each flight, to be offered the same wine card time after time. Wine quality has also decreased with Qatar.
Crew - This is where i found Qatar had taken a big back step year on year. People seemed to try too hard, or not try at all. Some of the CSD, seemed not to really have much clue on who the passenger was, apart from to say, how is your flight. On my first 787 flight, the CSD was talking to a passenger for over 20 minutes right in front of my seat. With no privacy like on a Q-Suite this became bothersome. Then i had to listen to the same CSD, poorly respond to a passenger who was first world whinging about not getting 1 hour free wifi on the 787. On my last flight to Stockholm yesterday, i was offered a Qatar Burgundy membership, when i am BA Gold. I had my membership number on the boarding pass, so not sure why i was being offered QRs lowest tier.
Lounge - Didnt bother with Al Maj, but went to Al-Safwa and paid the fee. Worth it if you drink for the champagne and bordeaux wine. Meal was generally fine, i think people have too high expectations, that they will get Michellin quality food. It isnt in anyway.
Overall. Still a great business product, but standards are slipping, and corners are being cut on product. 8/10.
Q-Suites. I was flying with my wife and we tried all the seats. The single window seat, the "bed seat" and the partner seats opposite the bed seats. My thought on them were that the bed seats gave by far the most impression of space, although proximity of the televisions could be a little bothersome. What i didnt like on all the flights, was the cubby hole to rest your feet. Im 6ft 1 and reality if there is only room for 1 foot, unless you want to lay on your side to sleep, and then it becomes a tight fit. On some of the seats you are also a little close to the door panel, as has been mentioned here numerous times.... I flew Q-Suites once last year and this was my second try... I didn't have the same sense of excitement again after trying them, and the reality at the end of the day, is that it is just a seat, but the privacy you feel, is much better on the 787. The 787 business seat is beginning to feel nothing special, but that is also driven by the constant product enhancements Qatar is rolling out.
Movies - Maybe im wrong, but didnt feel that the movies were as upto date as they once were. Of course, selection is still strong, but nothing really lept off the page for me to watch. Alot of the films were old.
Ammenity - Same product, different bags. PJs good if needed.
Food and beverage - I thought the food was of a high standard, but you can clealy see cutbacks on presentation on items such as the arabic mezze, from a few years back. It also becomes a bit tiring on each flight, to be offered the same wine card time after time. Wine quality has also decreased with Qatar.
Crew - This is where i found Qatar had taken a big back step year on year. People seemed to try too hard, or not try at all. Some of the CSD, seemed not to really have much clue on who the passenger was, apart from to say, how is your flight. On my first 787 flight, the CSD was talking to a passenger for over 20 minutes right in front of my seat. With no privacy like on a Q-Suite this became bothersome. Then i had to listen to the same CSD, poorly respond to a passenger who was first world whinging about not getting 1 hour free wifi on the 787. On my last flight to Stockholm yesterday, i was offered a Qatar Burgundy membership, when i am BA Gold. I had my membership number on the boarding pass, so not sure why i was being offered QRs lowest tier.
Lounge - Didnt bother with Al Maj, but went to Al-Safwa and paid the fee. Worth it if you drink for the champagne and bordeaux wine. Meal was generally fine, i think people have too high expectations, that they will get Michellin quality food. It isnt in anyway.
Overall. Still a great business product, but standards are slipping, and corners are being cut on product. 8/10.
May 6, 2019, 5:34 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: QR Gold, BAEC, Marriott Rewards Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,142
QR are not perfect, but I like their product very much indeed. And, unlike others who have reported problems with ground service, any problems I have had have been sorted to my satisfaction. I appreciate I may be in the minority with that one.
If it wasn't for the higher ticket prices, prevalent for around 2 years now, QR would be my first choice every time (I've recently tried J with BA LHR-MCT rtn @ Ł1100pp (very average) & Swiss LHR-ZRH-BKK rtn @ Ł1260pp coming this month. We'll see).
9/10
If it wasn't for the higher ticket prices, prevalent for around 2 years now, QR would be my first choice every time (I've recently tried J with BA LHR-MCT rtn @ Ł1100pp (very average) & Swiss LHR-ZRH-BKK rtn @ Ł1260pp coming this month. We'll see).
9/10
May 6, 2019, 6:16 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 33
Thanks for the write up. My experiences have been very positive. However, it’s usually crew dependent. I’ve hade a flight with a slow FA who took 20 min for a glass of wine in J and I’ve had experiences were my glass was always refilled before I finished it. Sounds like you had a bad crew. However, in all my QR flights, I’ve only had one bad FA.
I get what you’re saying about the double suite being tight in the footwell and I feel that the “true” window seats have more foot space. When I travel with my wife, I’ll often skip the double and just get a true window for her and I. Or maybe it’s because I just get sick of her
.
As far as IFE goes, my issues is the HIGHLY edited content. Amazing films are chopped up and dialogue is edited so much so that I actually download my own movies before a QR flight. It was nearly impossible to follow the plot line of “Mary Queen of Scots” on oryx one with all the edits. “A Star is Born” was also quite hard to follow when all curse words, sex scenes and drug scenes are removed.
I get what you’re saying about the double suite being tight in the footwell and I feel that the “true” window seats have more foot space. When I travel with my wife, I’ll often skip the double and just get a true window for her and I. Or maybe it’s because I just get sick of her
.As far as IFE goes, my issues is the HIGHLY edited content. Amazing films are chopped up and dialogue is edited so much so that I actually download my own movies before a QR flight. It was nearly impossible to follow the plot line of “Mary Queen of Scots” on oryx one with all the edits. “A Star is Born” was also quite hard to follow when all curse words, sex scenes and drug scenes are removed.
May 6, 2019, 6:23 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum; Accor Le Club Platinum
Posts: 1,077
Some good points. I’d add that they have done better in Al Safwa. When they opened, they seared scallops as an appetizer...no more.
They could easily make a pan fried steak to order on a hot plate...but they don’t. Instead, they are ok going for mediocrity of precooking a steak in an outbuilding.
on the plane? Yah, the wine list has gone from great to good. However, it is still heads and tails bettter than the crap BA serves in J.
They could easily make a pan fried steak to order on a hot plate...but they don’t. Instead, they are ok going for mediocrity of precooking a steak in an outbuilding.
on the plane? Yah, the wine list has gone from great to good. However, it is still heads and tails bettter than the crap BA serves in J.
May 6, 2019, 9:35 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 208
Just took two Q-suite flights Bos-Doh and Doh-Icn both flights, hard and soft product get high marks from me. I actually preferred the Q-Suite experience over my recent Jal first Class Nrt -Ord.
Last edited by wordsew; May 6, 2019 at 8:08 pm
May 7, 2019, 2:22 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,510
Good information. My wife and myself will be flying the Q Suites for the first time on 4 different legs....very difficult decision to decide what seats to choose.
Both long hauls of 12+ hours we chose the double seats so hopefully we will like them? On the other two flights 5+ hours we chose the single seats at the windows but on the outside so we are not facing backwards. I just wasn't sure about facing backwards but really think I would like the true window seat better. I know everyone has there likes/differences but would love to hear more insight on the seats. We don't necessarily have to be together on the double bed ones but it makes sense and I'm sure they are fine.
Looking forward to it though!
Both long hauls of 12+ hours we chose the double seats so hopefully we will like them? On the other two flights 5+ hours we chose the single seats at the windows but on the outside so we are not facing backwards. I just wasn't sure about facing backwards but really think I would like the true window seat better. I know everyone has there likes/differences but would love to hear more insight on the seats. We don't necessarily have to be together on the double bed ones but it makes sense and I'm sure they are fine.
Looking forward to it though!
May 7, 2019, 8:08 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
I thought that the "true" window seats are the ones facing backwards.
May 7, 2019, 11:10 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2017
Location: PRG
Programs: British Airways
Posts: 234
Just completed an ARN - DOH - DKK and return in J, flying a 787, 777 and A350, with 3 of the 4 sectord in Q-Suites.
Q-Suites. I was flying with my wife and we tried all the seats. The single window seat, the "bed seat" and the partner seats opposite the bed seats. My thought on them were that the bed seats gave by far the most impression of space, although proximity of the televisions could be a little bothersome. What i didnt like on all the flights, was the cubby hole to rest your feet. Im 6ft 1 and reality if there is only room for 1 foot, unless you want to lay on your side to sleep, and then it becomes a tight fit. On some of the seats you are also a little close to the door panel, as has been mentioned here numerous times.... I flew Q-Suites once last year and this was my second try... I didn't have the same sense of excitement again after trying them, and the reality at the end of the day, is that it is just a seat, but the privacy you feel, is much better on the 787. The 787 business seat is beginning to feel nothing special, but that is also driven by the constant product enhancements Qatar is rolling out.
Movies - Maybe im wrong, but didnt feel that the movies were as upto date as they once were. Of course, selection is still strong, but nothing really lept off the page for me to watch. Alot of the films were old.
Ammenity - Same product, different bags. PJs good if needed.
Food and beverage - I thought the food was of a high standard, but you can clealy see cutbacks on presentation on items such as the arabic mezze, from a few years back. It also becomes a bit tiring on each flight, to be offered the same wine card time after time. Wine quality has also decreased with Qatar.
Crew - This is where i found Qatar had taken a big back step year on year. People seemed to try too hard, or not try at all. Some of the CSD, seemed not to really have much clue on who the passenger was, apart from to say, how is your flight. On my first 787 flight, the CSD was talking to a passenger for over 20 minutes right in front of my seat. With no privacy like on a Q-Suite this became bothersome. Then i had to listen to the same CSD, poorly respond to a passenger who was first world whinging about not getting 1 hour free wifi on the 787. On my last flight to Stockholm yesterday, i was offered a Qatar Burgundy membership, when i am BA Gold. I had my membership number on the boarding pass, so not sure why i was being offered QRs lowest tier.
Lounge - Didnt bother with Al Maj, but went to Al-Safwa and paid the fee. Worth it if you drink for the champagne and bordeaux wine. Meal was generally fine, i think people have too high expectations, that they will get Michellin quality food. It isnt in anyway.
Overall. Still a great business product, but standards are slipping, and corners are being cut on product. 8/10.
Q-Suites. I was flying with my wife and we tried all the seats. The single window seat, the "bed seat" and the partner seats opposite the bed seats. My thought on them were that the bed seats gave by far the most impression of space, although proximity of the televisions could be a little bothersome. What i didnt like on all the flights, was the cubby hole to rest your feet. Im 6ft 1 and reality if there is only room for 1 foot, unless you want to lay on your side to sleep, and then it becomes a tight fit. On some of the seats you are also a little close to the door panel, as has been mentioned here numerous times.... I flew Q-Suites once last year and this was my second try... I didn't have the same sense of excitement again after trying them, and the reality at the end of the day, is that it is just a seat, but the privacy you feel, is much better on the 787. The 787 business seat is beginning to feel nothing special, but that is also driven by the constant product enhancements Qatar is rolling out.
Movies - Maybe im wrong, but didnt feel that the movies were as upto date as they once were. Of course, selection is still strong, but nothing really lept off the page for me to watch. Alot of the films were old.
Ammenity - Same product, different bags. PJs good if needed.
Food and beverage - I thought the food was of a high standard, but you can clealy see cutbacks on presentation on items such as the arabic mezze, from a few years back. It also becomes a bit tiring on each flight, to be offered the same wine card time after time. Wine quality has also decreased with Qatar.
Crew - This is where i found Qatar had taken a big back step year on year. People seemed to try too hard, or not try at all. Some of the CSD, seemed not to really have much clue on who the passenger was, apart from to say, how is your flight. On my first 787 flight, the CSD was talking to a passenger for over 20 minutes right in front of my seat. With no privacy like on a Q-Suite this became bothersome. Then i had to listen to the same CSD, poorly respond to a passenger who was first world whinging about not getting 1 hour free wifi on the 787. On my last flight to Stockholm yesterday, i was offered a Qatar Burgundy membership, when i am BA Gold. I had my membership number on the boarding pass, so not sure why i was being offered QRs lowest tier.
Lounge - Didnt bother with Al Maj, but went to Al-Safwa and paid the fee. Worth it if you drink for the champagne and bordeaux wine. Meal was generally fine, i think people have too high expectations, that they will get Michellin quality food. It isnt in anyway.
Overall. Still a great business product, but standards are slipping, and corners are being cut on product. 8/10.
May 12, 2019, 5:58 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: In the sticks
Programs: VS FC Gold, BA EC Gold, Amex Centurion, EK Gold, ex-G-ATVK driver
Posts: 1,826
I did this exact route return three weeks ago, and had a350 with and without QSuite, and 777 with and without QSuite.
I've flown QR in F many times in the past, but util this trip I stopped using QR since they removed F on the BKK route.
In short I was very impressed with all segments, they outperformed my expectations in pretty much every facet. The main positive for me was the crew,I felt that the level of personal service was pretty much up to what I'd expect from F on BA. And it's no surprise bearing in mind that the crew
ax ratio is about the same.
I didn't really use the IFE except the moving map, I usually load up my iPad for that: this habit goes back to the days when IFEs weren't quite as reliable as they are nowadays.
I also use Al Safwa rather than Al Maj, and despite the forty or so stools was alone propping up the bar, which seems to be the standard occupancy in the twenty or so times I've been in there since it opened! The option to use Al Safwa, albeit for a price, is another reason to make QR J a better option. Regarding Al Safwa and Michelin, well, I did chuckle! It's a million miles away from Michelin star. The only facets that tick the Michelin boxes are the exclusivity and surroundings. The service and particularly the food are barely provincial brasserie or reasonable pub grub quality: I wouldn't even put it at Gastro Pub level.
The on board F&B was better than I was expecting. I particularly liked the Mezze. I just wish they'd have ice cream on the menu. As far as I could tell, there was no reduction in menu options or service on overnight flights.
The only problem with the QSuite seat was a slight ridge at the hips in bed mode, but that was solved by moving a little. Otherwise, the amount of space and storage seemed as good as anything else. The open 777 seat I had in the middle of the cabin I found was a little more comfy in that respect than the QSuite seat. Two pillows were very welcome. They were enhanced away on some airlines over a decade ago in J. The blankets are the best I've experienced on board, I never bothered with the turndown service, perhaps the mattress would alleviate the slight ridge in the seat in bed mode that I mentioned.
PJs were only offered in my first segment, but I take my own anyway. The ammenity kits go straight to my missus, unopened. I like it that the toothbrushes and toothpaste are available in the bathrooms. The bathrooms are mostly significantly larger than BA F.
The only places I can see it obviously lacks on, say, BA F, are: bathroom-to-pax ratio, PJs on day flights, flowers and cloth towels. I can live with that.
I've flown QR in F many times in the past, but util this trip I stopped using QR since they removed F on the BKK route.
In short I was very impressed with all segments, they outperformed my expectations in pretty much every facet. The main positive for me was the crew,I felt that the level of personal service was pretty much up to what I'd expect from F on BA. And it's no surprise bearing in mind that the crew
ax ratio is about the same.I didn't really use the IFE except the moving map, I usually load up my iPad for that: this habit goes back to the days when IFEs weren't quite as reliable as they are nowadays.
I also use Al Safwa rather than Al Maj, and despite the forty or so stools was alone propping up the bar, which seems to be the standard occupancy in the twenty or so times I've been in there since it opened! The option to use Al Safwa, albeit for a price, is another reason to make QR J a better option. Regarding Al Safwa and Michelin, well, I did chuckle! It's a million miles away from Michelin star. The only facets that tick the Michelin boxes are the exclusivity and surroundings. The service and particularly the food are barely provincial brasserie or reasonable pub grub quality: I wouldn't even put it at Gastro Pub level.
The on board F&B was better than I was expecting. I particularly liked the Mezze. I just wish they'd have ice cream on the menu. As far as I could tell, there was no reduction in menu options or service on overnight flights.
The only problem with the QSuite seat was a slight ridge at the hips in bed mode, but that was solved by moving a little. Otherwise, the amount of space and storage seemed as good as anything else. The open 777 seat I had in the middle of the cabin I found was a little more comfy in that respect than the QSuite seat. Two pillows were very welcome. They were enhanced away on some airlines over a decade ago in J. The blankets are the best I've experienced on board, I never bothered with the turndown service, perhaps the mattress would alleviate the slight ridge in the seat in bed mode that I mentioned.
PJs were only offered in my first segment, but I take my own anyway. The ammenity kits go straight to my missus, unopened. I like it that the toothbrushes and toothpaste are available in the bathrooms. The bathrooms are mostly significantly larger than BA F.
The only places I can see it obviously lacks on, say, BA F, are: bathroom-to-pax ratio, PJs on day flights, flowers and cloth towels. I can live with that.
May 12, 2019, 6:24 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
I agree, if the standard is Michelin stars. The last two times I was there were both overnights. Both times I had the French toast for breakfast, and both times it may have been the best I've ever had. Try it and tell me that I'm wrong. (And the LGD to wash it down didn't hurt, either.)
Jun 11, 2019, 12:23 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: BRU
Programs: Miles&More SEN; ITA Premium, Asante Gold, IHG Platinum, BAEC Bronze, Accor Silver, Radisson Premier
Posts: 270
I had a recent J experience ARN-DOH (A350 Q suite), DOH-BKK (A350 non-Qsuite), SIN-DOH (A351 Q suite), DOH-GOT (787).
I had mixed feelings overall. I liked the Q suites, but I think I probably expected more due to reading so many reviews about them. I didn’t mind the non-q suite planes too much, and probably vs my expectations were better compared to Q suites (though obviously if I knew nothing about either beforehand Q suites would have seemed much better).
I had two great sets of crew, both to and from Sweden. Crew from DOH to BKK were not great, even though there were only 6 J passengers. SIN-DOH were ok, but not very personable.
But my biggest disappointment was the food, aside from the fact it was dine on demand. I found the options really limited, and there was nothing really very tasty among the food I tried. I had the mezze (it was the best) and I tried a few other things which I can’t even remember, but overall food was really disappointing. I expected much better. I had the lemony minty drink, which was excellent, and a glass of wine which was also nice, though I can’t remember the name. I also had a chicken pesto sandwich and a steak sandwich towards the end of two flights, and they were bland and tasteless.
So overall I was disappointed with my QR experience. I flew SQ a few months back and it was so much better in terms of food and service (with the only down side being the set food times). I even found the seats and beds better in SQ, despite the awkward bed positioning issue.
I flew LH J a couple of months ago with my SO, and to be honest I would consider even going LH again instead of QR.
Was as I just getting too excited by all the reviews out there, or have others have similar disappointing experiences with QR?
I had mixed feelings overall. I liked the Q suites, but I think I probably expected more due to reading so many reviews about them. I didn’t mind the non-q suite planes too much, and probably vs my expectations were better compared to Q suites (though obviously if I knew nothing about either beforehand Q suites would have seemed much better).
I had two great sets of crew, both to and from Sweden. Crew from DOH to BKK were not great, even though there were only 6 J passengers. SIN-DOH were ok, but not very personable.
But my biggest disappointment was the food, aside from the fact it was dine on demand. I found the options really limited, and there was nothing really very tasty among the food I tried. I had the mezze (it was the best) and I tried a few other things which I can’t even remember, but overall food was really disappointing. I expected much better. I had the lemony minty drink, which was excellent, and a glass of wine which was also nice, though I can’t remember the name. I also had a chicken pesto sandwich and a steak sandwich towards the end of two flights, and they were bland and tasteless.
So overall I was disappointed with my QR experience. I flew SQ a few months back and it was so much better in terms of food and service (with the only down side being the set food times). I even found the seats and beds better in SQ, despite the awkward bed positioning issue.
I flew LH J a couple of months ago with my SO, and to be honest I would consider even going LH again instead of QR.
Was as I just getting too excited by all the reviews out there, or have others have similar disappointing experiences with QR?
Jun 11, 2019, 6:14 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
Regarding food, the only thing I've ever eaten in QR J that's consistently disappointing is the grilled lamb. Consistently tough and tasteless. Other than that, I find the QR J food consistently superior to any other J food I've tried.
Jun 12, 2019, 5:24 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: CGK
Posts: 2,375
I’ve in the past several months have taken 16 sectors on QR, and I think the food is consistently bad. Not necessarily due to the quality per se, but more to how the food is overheated, or swimming in oil due to that.
I find that the pasta, cream soups, and arabic dishes are consistently edible (in addition to the desserts) but everything else is terrible. The meat, fish, and so on, are really bad whenever I get them. Furthermore the breadbasket bread always seems stale lately.
I feel like this is the case particularly when the crew are stressed or otherwise just plain lazy.
The juices and non-alcoholic drinks though are great.
These days, I tend to skip the meals and eat at the lounge (if the lounge food is better, like in SIN or LHR)
I find that the pasta, cream soups, and arabic dishes are consistently edible (in addition to the desserts) but everything else is terrible. The meat, fish, and so on, are really bad whenever I get them. Furthermore the breadbasket bread always seems stale lately.
I feel like this is the case particularly when the crew are stressed or otherwise just plain lazy.
The juices and non-alcoholic drinks though are great.
These days, I tend to skip the meals and eat at the lounge (if the lounge food is better, like in SIN or LHR)
Jun 12, 2019, 7:43 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,249
I’ve in the past several months have taken 16 sectors on QR, and I think the food is consistently bad. Not necessarily due to the quality per se, but more to how the food is overheated, or swimming in oil due to that.
I find that the pasta, cream soups, and arabic dishes are consistently edible (in addition to the desserts) but everything else is terrible. The meat, fish, and so on, are really bad whenever I get them. Furthermore the breadbasket bread always seems stale lately.
I feel like this is the case particularly when the crew are stressed or otherwise just plain lazy.
The juices and non-alcoholic drinks though are great.
These days, I tend to skip the meals and eat at the lounge (if the lounge food is better, like in SIN or LHR)
I find that the pasta, cream soups, and arabic dishes are consistently edible (in addition to the desserts) but everything else is terrible. The meat, fish, and so on, are really bad whenever I get them. Furthermore the breadbasket bread always seems stale lately.
I feel like this is the case particularly when the crew are stressed or otherwise just plain lazy.
The juices and non-alcoholic drinks though are great.
These days, I tend to skip the meals and eat at the lounge (if the lounge food is better, like in SIN or LHR)
