My first time to Dubai
 

For various reasons I’ve not been able to travel as much as I normally would have by this stage of the year and I enjoy having Silver BAEC membership. My year renews in December and, as the retail company I work for does not allow holidays between November and the end of January, I needed an affordable October trip that would get me enough points and ideally involve a new airline/destination.

As an avid reader of the trip reports (and other advice) here on FlyerTalk I learned that Qatar Airways offered reasonably good premium class deals from the Nordic countries to the Gulf States and beyond. I’ve never been to Dubai so that was my starting point and began working my way back - if you get what I mean.

I also subscribe to the Turning Left for Less website where a report on using these fares highlighted that the Business Lite ticket did not allow you access to lounges - even on the connection. So I widened the search area and found a good fare from Brussels although transit times on the return left a lot to be desired. However I had a very nice surprise to come!

Arranging travel to Brussels was (when I made the booking in June) an extremely fraught affair. Business class fares were in the region of £ 300 one way with both BA and Brussels Airlines whilst Eurostar was not far behind at around £ 275. Again digging around I found an excellent Club Europe fare to Luxembourg (using a couple of thousand Avios and military discount) for £ 108 return!

Flights sorted now it was the turn of accommodation. I had originally looked at a package with Qatar Airways Holidays but was unsure of all the areas where their hotels were. Going to the individual hotel pages didn’t give much more inspiration and I was about to stick a (virtual) pin in the map and go wherever it landed when I remembered that Queen Elizabeth 2 operates as a floating hotel so had a look on their website. A very good summer offer was available so I booked my three night stay there and then.

Background established it’s time for the details.

Flights

Fri 06 OctBA 416 LHR - LUX(Club Europe)

Sat 07 OctQR 196BRU - DOH(Business)

QR 1014DOH - DXB(First)

Tue 10 OctQR 1019DXB - DOH(First)

Wed 11 OctQR 193 DOH - BRU(Business)

Thu 12 OctBA 417LUX - LHR(Club Europe)

Hotels

Thu 05 OctHilton Garden Inn T2/T3 London Heathrow

Fri 06 OctCrowne Plaza Brussels Airport

Sat 07 - Tue 10 OctQueen Elizabeth 2

Wed 11 OctVIP Hotel Doha

Wed 11 OctIBIS Styles Luxembourg Airport

International Trains

Fri 06 OctLuxembourg - Brussels Airport(First Class)

Wed 11 OctBrussels Airport - Luxembourg(First Class)

Getting to Heathrow and BA Overnight Bag Drop

I live on the South coast of England close to Portsmouth and have a couple of options to get a train to Guildford for the onward RailAir 2 service to LHR. There is one direct train a day (M-F) from Fareham which is an easy bus ride away and thus saves the inconvenience of bus and ferry across to Portsmouth.

Booking in advance got me a ridiculously cheap fare - so I went First Class which isn’t worth paying a full fare for. En-route, a quick check of the RailAir 2 timetable reveals that the previous ‘on the hour’ departures have been replaced and therefore gave me time for a rather unpleasant ‘nuked’ sausage roll from one of the outlets.

My pleasant surprise at the dark green Truronian coach that arrived to operate the service quickly faded once on board as this must be the most uncomfortable coach I have ever travelled on! Yes the seats looked thick and comfy but - even though strapped in securely - I kept slipping down the seat. Leg room was particularly bad as my knees were in continual contact with the seat in front and I’m only 5ft 10in (1.90m) tall!!

Also note that - if you haven’t used the RailAir services for a while - all three now stop at the bus stands at T2 and T3 and no longer serve the Central Bus Station.

A brisk walk over to Zone D at T3 and time to try out the Overnight bag drop service. This is available for flights departing before 10.00 the next day. The first Club agent I approached didn’t think that the service existed, however her colleague was more than happy to check me in and my bag was soon whizzing off into the bowels of T3.

I navigated my way against the stream of people heading for T3 and more exciting destinations than mine for this evening via T2 and across the car park to the HGI. l booked this stay using HHonor points - the first time I have do so and it was an excellent choice especially when I saw how much the room rate was! A short wait till I was checked in by a friendly agent and then off to my room complimentary water in hand. I had to be up early the next morning so no room review except to say that this was the most comfortable bed of the whole trip.

Up next - to the Continent and beyond…….



‘

Fantastic! I hope that you loved your trip. In 2008 I was fascinated with Dubai and the idea of Dubai. One day I might consider going in the future. I’m looking forward to your TR.

My flight to Luxembourg departs at 08.25 with conformance at T3 being T-35. Before leaving the bag drop desk the previous evening the lovely agent advised me that “you’ll need to be in the lounge by seven so that you can have your breakfast”. Therefore an 06.30 departure from my 5th floor room allows me to breeze past the queues at check in and straight up to Fast Track security. This definitely lived up to its name and I was in the BA Lounge well before 07.00.

The lounge is fairly busy but I manage to find a table at the far end with a good view over a dark airfield. I sourced a Scottish style breakfast (sausage, bacon, scrambled egg, no healthy stuff!) along with some bubbles (Prosecco and sparkling water) and settled down to eat/people watch.The couple to my immediate right are quite amusing. He is not content with sitting at a table seat and makes various attempts to move them to lounge style seats by the window. She in the meantime rebuffs him in a Hyacinth Bouquet manner and requests that he stops stressing her out further. They eventually do move but she is not happy!

Dawn breaks and two of the stewards take advantage of the increasing daylight allowing them to take tail end shots of a BA 777 which has just been pushed back before carrying on with their duties. Meanwhile the information screens are now displaying Gate 24C which - unsurprisingly for a first flight of the day - is a bus gate.

Gate 24 is an absolute zoo! BA flights to Budapest, Nuremberg and a Delta flight to Minneapolis as well as our flight are all boarding from here. Ominously 24C is unlit unlike the other gates although there are staff present. There seems to be no real queues as such, just a general mass of people which leads to the Delta agent working her way through with a hand held sign seeking out her passengers. One of the team at 24C comes across and explains that there is a power fault, systems aren’t working and they will process us as soon as possible. There will however be only one queue - no priority boarding. This wasn’t good enough for a lady standing behind me who piped up “but i’m Priority!” and was promptly put down by others around. Is this a contender for my first Do You Know Who I Am (DYKWIA) incident?

The gate team are obvious;y working hard to find a solution and conversations are carried out with their colleagues at 24D. Once the Nuremberg flight is dispatched movement begins and we are gradually checked in with sequence number and seat number being written down whilst our identity is checked by another agent transmitting the information on her phone. Then it’s on to the bus and an almost 18 year old ex-bmi A319 which thankfully displays no teenage petulant behaviour on the short hop to LUX.

My favourite seat in Club Europe is 4C. Why? It was the first CE seat that I booked using my own hard cash. Unfortunately the curtain had moved and I was in 2C which was no big deal. The CE cabin was lightly loaded (5/12) and, once released, the crew were swift into action. This was the first time I had encountered the Oswald Boaeting uniform and I wasn’t greatly impressed. I liked the clean lines of the Julien McDonell but suppose I’ll get used to it and remember the good old days - unfortunately that might hark back to flying with crew in the Paul Costelloe version.

Breakfast was offered and I had the full English version. This was a standard offering with really hot scrambled eggs, rasher of overdone bacon and nice sausage. There was also tomato and mushroom but as they are the devils food I didn’t touch them. My go to drink in CE is normally champagne however realising that I was probably the only passenger in leisure mode in the cabin I enquired if this was still served in individual bottles. It appears not so I opted for a G+T.

Arrival process completed its off into the city centre and the trains to Brussels Airport (Zaventem). Public transport in Luxembourg is free of charge so if you get the wrong bus (16 instead of 29) it’s no big problem. Just get off where you think is right - find out it’s not - and get a tram for three stops to Luxembourg Central -simples!

IC trains between Luxembourg and Bruxelles Midi (with connections to Zaventem at Bruxelles Nord) are operated by SNCB/NMBS - the Belgian state railway company. Tickets need to be purchased at the international desk within the ticket office at Luxembourg Central. Tickets cost from € 30 - € 45 (standard/first). Departures are normally at XX.11 and take around three and a half hours to Zaventem including the change. There are no refreshments on board so bring your own! Seats are non - reservable.

I travelled first class on the 13,11, It’s typical 2+1 seating and, until about an hour from Bruxelles, was quite relaxing. There seemed to be a lot of infrastructure work taking place along the way with several occasions of single line working/slow transit. Arrival at Nord was more or less on time and a change of platform was obviously required. The eight minute advertised connection was plenty of time to get from p8 to p3 where I learned that SNCB have obviously carried out a case study on the workings of the railway system in Britain and changed the platform as soon as I stepped foot on it! The slightly delayed service appeared in p1 and whizzed me off to the Airport.

The final leg of today's journey is to the Crowne Plaza Brussels Airport which provides a complimentary shuttle bus. For anyone not familiar with the bus station layout the shuttle pick up points are on the extreme right hand side when leaving the terminal at stand E. A bus turned up just as I arrived and after a five minute journey I was being warmly welcomed before heading to my bed for the night.

Coming up:- The main event - Qatar Airways Premium classes to Dubai

Fabulous - I’m looking forward to more :-)

Following a decent sleep it’s off to the terminal and check in. There are two desks available for Premium passengers and I am invited forward almost immediately. Swiftly processed two boarding cards and a lounge pass are issued. Proud holder of a silver (Business) and a purple (First) version of each it’s through Fast Track and Border Control to the Brussels Airport operated Non Schengen area Diamond Lounge.

Entering the lounge I’m warmly greeted by the male agent behind the desk, He takes my lounge pass, checks my name against the passenger list provided by Qatar Airways, asks me if my name could be different to that on my pass/boarding cards and then says I’m not eligible for entry! His female colleague intervenes and notices my One World Sapphire status through British Airways and I’m allowed into this quiet haven. Except it’s not!

Obviously many airlines use this lounge and it is very busy. I manage to find a table where I can leave my bag and get some breakfast…... .there's not a lot around and a dearth of coffee cups. Croissants are the only thing left so I pair them with a G+T - well I am on the continent!

Boarding time comes around and I’m off down to the airbridge. I see the B 789 aircraft through one of the windows and for some reason the ‘I’m really excited about this flight’ feeling strangely wasn’t there. About 10 years ago I flew to Hong Kong on a BA 777 and catching sight of it made my pulse quicken and heightened my sense of anticipation even though I had flown on a couple of 777’s before. This is a new airline to me and has the ‘best Business Class in the world’ so my excitement levels should be off the scale - but as I say they’re not. Maybe it had something to do with the speed tape all around the First Officers window!

Boarding through door 2L I’m directed to the right hand aisle and my seat in 4K. Once there it appears a lady has taken my Q-suite by mistake and stating that “I have broken my hip in the last three weeks it’s hard to move” I leave her be and move to 5K. Once the aircraft doors were secured the Cabin Manager came around to welcome everyone and was surprised to find someone else where I was meant to be. Explaining the situation I was thanked for my understanding and informed of a flight time of 5h45.

Once airborne Luis from Colombia became my new best friend. Champagne was offered, accepted with gratitude, Amuse bouche salmon was excellent. Main course chicken could have been a little bit warmer. Cheese platter and the port - well what can I say! Eating part of the flight done (this is a one meal service flight) it’s time to embrace the Q-Suite experience. It begins by unwrapping the really soft blanket and moving the seat into the bed position. My one window has already been dimmed so all I have to do is strap myself in, close the door and drift off to sleep!
Fast forward a couple of hours (and a bit) Luis notices that I’m awake and brings me a very welcome G+T which I enjoy whilst watching some spy drama. Sleep wise the seat was very comfortable apart from the footwell which seemed a little cramped. Briefly switching to the moving map screen we have about 1h45 of flight time remaining so plenty of time to relax; G+T and repeat

Arriving on time into Doha we disembark via 2L and are met with several QR agents at the top of the airbridge. One is actively encouraging passengers with connections to avoid the signed channel and go straight into the main terminal. As mentioned earlier my DOH - DXB flight is in First Class so I can use the Al Safwa lounge.

Once I am graciously granted permission to use the escalator up to the lounge I am a bit overwhelmed. This space is huge and cathedral-like. In fact, when approached and greeted by a member of the lounge staff, I respond in a whisper-like voice which she assures me is the response from most passengers. I’m guided to a table in the dining area and use the QR coded menu to order some food. A passing steward asks if I would like some champagne and you already know the answer! The pan seared sea bass is delicious and very different to the fish that I normally eat (you know I’m Scottish no surprise then that it’s deep fried Haddock!)

Off down to the C gates and past the famous yellow bear. I had seen photos of it but I didn’t realise how big it actually was! Boarding was a bit of a mess with zoned seating, a general queue and people milling about, A second boarding pass scan takes place before heading down to the B777 to Dubai. I’m in a rear-facing Q-Suite (5K) for this short hop and I’m not sure I’d like to spend a lot of time in this version. The door and surroundings are a lot higher than on the 789 and it feels a bit more constrictive. Even though this is a flight of under an hour a snack of hummus and cake along with my now obligatory drink of choice is served.
We park at a remote stand and are taken by an ordinary airport bus - you’ll see what I mean later - to the terminal. There is a moderately fast moving queue for immigration and, even though it’s quite long, I’m through in around 15 minutes and onto meet my pre-booked pick up. I’m greeted by a very nice Pakistani gentleman who guides me to my car. A 30 ish minute journey takes me to my home for the next three nights - Queen Elizabeth 2.

One final point for this part of the report. The lady who had taken my original seat of 4K had no problem whatsoever in getting up and talking to her travelling companions in 4 E/F throughout the flight. Mmmmmmmm
Coming next :- three days in Dubai

Gaobest

Thank you very much

Den

I arrived at the QE2 berth about 22,30 and the excellent Dimbaya checks me in, upgrades my cabin and provides me with details of all the benefits that I can enjoy, QE2 is managed by Accor Hotels so as an ALL member (the hotel chains loyalty program) he informs me that I’m entitled to 30 percent off food and drinks during my stay.

My cabin is on 4 deck which is where I spent two and a bit days on board the ship back in 1983. QE2 was one of the many merchant ships involved in the Falklands Conflict in 1982 and I decided way back then that I wanted to get on all of the ships involved. I managed to get on SS Canberra, MV Norland and my third Royal Navy ship type 22 frigate (batch 1) HMS Broadsword (RIP and God bless her). This was a 'cruise to nowhere' however QE2 arrived late into Southampton from her refit in Hamburg, sailing was delayed and we then broke down in the English Channel!

All of that is forgiven now as I’ve checked into my cabin, made my way to The Golden Lion pub on the Upper deck and have a very welcome pint! There are a few people around but it's a quiet night.

Sunday is my day of doing nothing apart from exploring the ship. I have a seriously long lie in. Mid afternoon I wandered through this magnificent vessel. There is a heritage area situated on the midships part of the Upper deck which includes displays that celebrate and commemorate our late Queens’ association with the ship. Strangely there is no mention of her participation in the Falklands Conflict in any of the presentations on board apart from one picture of her in the grey livery on return from refit in Hamburg which is when I sailed on her.

Monday comes around and a shuttle bus is provided at 11.00 to the Dubai Mall and 12.00 to a nearby metro station on a first come first served basis. I arrive at the entrance to the reception building at 10.50 in anticipation of getting the 11,00 shuttle. The concierge responsible for the transport is being ‘monopolised’ by a Russian sounding gentleman during which my chance to get the one last seat on the minibus is thwarted by a woman who sweeps by us all and on to the vehicle.

I relax in the terminal building for just under an hour until the 12,00 departure which I have been guaranteed to get on. Whilst awaiting the shuttle there are several groups of school children passing through who all seem to have enjoyed their visit. The mini-bus departs on time to the nearby Al Ghubabia metro station which provides a connection to the airport. I take the opportunity to seek out where the left luggage facility is as my check out time from QE2 is 12.00 and my flight is not until 23.30.

Reconnaissance done I take advantage of my Regional Transport Authority (RTA) 'nol' branded day pass and ride the metro red line all the way to the terminus at Expo 2020 which allows me to get a good overview of the surroundings. This makes choices of accommodation a lot easier should I visit again. QE2 is nice but it’s a little bit out of the way. Alighting at the Dubai Mall stop on the way back I find that it’s a day and a half camel trek to the actual mall. The aquarium thing is interesting, shops are shops but I do stop at the ‘Cheesecake Factory’ which I didn’t realise was a real thing as I’ve only heard of it on the American television series ‘The Big Bang Theory’.

I take a taxi back to the ship and enjoy a meal of penne bolognese and splash out on a bottle of wine in the Lido Restaurant on the Quarterdeck before retiring to bed after an interesting (and rather warm for a Scotsman) day.

It’s Tuesday and time to start my journey home. As I am the only passenger on the 12,00 shuttle the driver takes me to the MAX station on the red metro line where I can get a train to the airport.I leave my bag at the DNATA left luggage facility before heading back into the city, via bus this time, with the intention of travelling on a traditional abra, My journey to Creek station at the end of the green line would, I hope, achieve this. Unfortunately the only service from here is to Dubai Festival City at this time of day and is a modern version of the craft.

Still having a lot of time on my hands I decided to try the twice daily fast ferry from Dubai Marina to Al Ghubabia. The trip to get there however goes totally wrong so I end up cutting my losses and head for the airport. Unfortunately it seems I'm travelling at rush hour (19.00 ish) and the trains are packed. Re-thinking my strategy - with plenty of time in hand - I decide to buy a Gold Class ticket (the premium cabin on the Dubai Metro) and wait for a train that has decent space. Trains are every two minutes however it still took seven trains before one turned up with the fewest amount of people standing and only at Bur Dubai did the carriage empty allowing me to have a seat for the last few stops.

Next:- Going Home!

Arriving at Dubai Terminal 1 it’s down to the arrivals level to retrieve my bag. I’m early for the Qatar Airways check in to open so I relocated to the Food Court in the landside departures lounge. I’ve never heard of Marry Browns - apparently it is an American based chicken fast food chain - and have a spicy chicken strip meal whilst indulging in people watching which is one of my favourite hobbies in these situations.

Within my view are two suited male airline agents who are engrossed in their phones and completely seem to ignore each other even though they are only one foot apart. Also to my right was a lone uniformed female agent who looked so sad ……I really felt sorry for her

Check in completed and the prized different coloured boarding cards in hand it’s through security and off to the lounge. I initially arrive at the first Ahlan lounge that is indicated. While I wait for the three gentlemen at the desk to be welcomed, the second agent notices my purple branded boarding card and advises that the First class lounge is further down the hallway. Off I trot and soon arrived in this sanctuary,

A steward provides a menu, insists that I must have something to eat and disappears!. A quick trip to the bar ensures that my requisite champagne is delivered and I have a rather tasty piece of green cake/gateaux. The very lovely bartender appears magically as my glass is nearly empty and offers a top up!

Off to the aircraft and my first flight on an A350-1000 (A35K) en-route to Doha and my nine hour stop in the city. My seat is 05K, a rear facing seat on the starboard side. A quick introduction from the crew, food and drink order taken then we’re off into the night-time sky. The departure experience on this flight was different than any I have had whilst flying backwards even on RAF VC-10’s. It seemed more ‘lift then up’ rather than a smooth transition to flight.

The cabin service seemed a little more hurried on this sector compared to the outward one but I still had my snack and champagne. Arrival into Doha was where the real fun began! Alighting via steps at 2L I’m guided onto a First Class bus which has only 12 (I think) leather armchairs. I’ll be honest I was so impressed that I didn't really count them let alone take a photograph which one of my fellow travellers did.

We transited across to the arrivals area and,as the first bus there, parked furthest away from the entrance into the terminal. Joining the melee of other arriving passengers I picked the (correct in this instance) right hand escalator to get to arrivals. I was about halfway up when there was a couple of screams from the left hand one and it promptly stopped. I don't know if anyone was hurt.

Once in arrivals I proceeded to the Premium Class transfer desk to pick up my STPC voucher for tonight’s hotel in the city. Documents checked, voucher issued and I’m directed down to Immigration where I require a Temporary transit Visa for Qatar. Once there I’m sent towards a queue until the agent notices my voucher, suggests that I may want to use the Premium Class arrivals lounge and informs me I can obtain it there.

Following his advice I head over there breeze through - attempt to breeze through as one of the lounge dragons agents stops me and states that I must have a stamp on my boarding card to be allowed into the facility. Duly completed I’m given my transit visa by a bored looking Immigration official to see a man and another man and another man about the transport to the VIP Hotel in Doha City.

I’m escorted to a white mini-bus by the second gentleman in the above scenario. En route I am almost run over by a lady with a large trolley full of luggage who has no concern for anyone else. My escort notices that I am not happy and apologises profusely. I assure him that it’s not his fault and he leaves me in the safe hands of my driver who is the Qatari version of - depending on your age/nationality - Jackie Stewart/Nigel Mansell/Lewis Hamilton/Max Verstappen! Admittedly it’s almost 01.00 and the roads are quiet - but………

My hotel is the VIP Doha City and It’s huge, brilliantly lit and sets the scene for a short but amazing stay. This has been arranged by Qatar Airways through a chatbot conversation a couple of months ago. I had originally asked if there were any sleeping booths in the Al Mourjan lounge during my layover and - once my ticket had been checked - they offered me a night in this hotel. Cool! As a free layover I was expecting a single room in the farthest reaches of the hotel.

As I enter my bag goes through an airport style security scanner and I note that there is a loud function going on. Knowing my luck my short stay (01.00 - 0630) will be in a room right above this, Pasaf very kindly checks me in and informs me that I am in room 101 - the VIP suite. He is a bit concerned that I want to leave at 06.30 for a suggested 07.00 check-in but acquiesces when informed I already have my boarding card. Heading off to my room it is indeed above the function suite but it is WOW!

This room is huge! That’s Huge with a bold H and then some! I just wish I had more time to enjoy it. The living area is about the same size as my flat here in Gosport. It takes me a few minutes to work out how the room lighting works (it’s touch sensitive as is the tap controls for the square bath I didn’t have time to luxuriate in). The thump thump thump of the function below ends at 02.00 and I have four hours of blissful sleep.
Up next:- Tech troubles and will I get home?

My pre-arranged wake up call comes around all too soon. I take one last look at my room, now bathed in sunlight and even more stunning, and set off for reception where I’m greeted by the duty manager who thanks me for my stay. I’m informed that the transport will be here within a few minutes and I thank him for such a fantastic room. He happily replies that, as I had arrived at such a late hour and the room was unoccupied it might as well be used. I've just checked the room rate for this upcoming Tuesday night (31st October) and was surprised to find it is the equivalent of £ 120 a night! What an absolute bargain!

A slightly more sedate journey takes me back to Hamad International Airport and deposits me outside the Premium entrance. Quickly through the automated passport control and manned security I head to the Al Mourjan lounge for breakfast. The lounge is moderately busy however I manage to find an empty table and explore the food options. A hot food station with chefs is available as well as the standard cold fayre option. I request scrambled eggs and the chef tells me I can only obtain this dish by ordering from my table. Back to my seat where I take the opportunity to also ask for some bubbles!

My departure gate is indicated so it’s off to the C gates paying ‘respects’ to Emir Teddyness the Great on the way. Consistent with most of the sectors on this trip I’m blessed with another bus gate! I can add a B788 to my collection of A319, B777 and A35K aircraft. This time it proves useful as I notice the ‘25 years of excellence’ motif under the flight deck windows which means it’s A7-BCB. (confession I didn’t know the registration I had to look it up!).

You know the routine by now. Board 2L, over to the starboard side, turn left and sit down in 04K as I should be, PDB offered - accepted - notice that this seat feels very different from all the rest as there’s NO DOOR! I’m sorry this is not acceptable and you must change the aircraft!!!! Joking aside this is what actually happened as, having finished my champagne the Captain announced that there was a ‘minor technical fault’ and we would be delayed by about 30 minutes. The lovely Belarussian ‘Air Hostess’ - which she introduced herself as her words not mine- came back with more bubbles. I had just a few sips when it was announced that the fault would take longer to fix and we would be ‘de-boarded’

Back then to a bus gate and requested to wait in the departures lounge. Approximately 30 minutes later with the ground crew getting to grips with the situation, customers with lounge access were advised to return there. This is when I found the excellent Al Mourjan The Garden lounge!

Huge ‘bubbles of glass’ let natural light flow into the area. There’s natural greenery and I think this is one of the best lounges I have visited. Staff apologise for the delay to my flight - even though it’s not their fault - so I relax, have some more food and the odd G+T. One of the reception staff and I have a discussion about where we have been/want to go/ someone else pays for us to go.

The delay is now getting on for three hours and if I don't get to Brussels before 19.00 (CET)ish I won’t be able to get a train through to Luxembourg to catch my flight back to London. I’m assured that they will re-book me.

QR 193 is showing on the screens as ‘boarding’ however the lounge crew informed me that ‘Business class boarding has not been approved yet’ please enjoy another G+T.

Once approved I’m allowed down to gate C 12 with grateful thanks from the reception team. Boarding through 2L back to 04K and no suite. DIDN’T QR GET THE MEMO? The good thing is it’s the same crew from earlier. Settled into my seat a ‘would you like the same drink as before sir? ‘ Yes please' is the obvious answer. For my meal choice I’m treated to an ‘International Kneel’ - subscribers to Pam Ann will understand -.

Off into the sky after apologies from the Captain and the Purser for the delay and inconvenience to Brussels, Lunch is served and I have turbot - it’s fish and as previously mentioned I normally only do deep fried haddock which even Loganair 'Scotland's Airline’ can’t do. It is actually enjoyable along with the sauvignon blanc, cheese board and port.

Sleep time now and I put the seat into bed mode. It’s comfortable but I feel a bit exposed compared to the Q-Suite experience. The flight is a little bit lumpy which is mildly enjoyable! Waking up my ‘Air Hostess’ is almost immediately by my side offering another drink. Final G+T on Qatar Airways accepted and we descended into Brussels Zaventem Airport.

Arrival time is just under three hours late so I can't claim compensation, Thankfully I had a quick transit through Immigration and baggage reclaim to the station for onward train to Luxembourg.

At Luxembourg Central I took a taxi to my hotel for the night - Ibis Budget Findel. It’s a few minutes walk, hotel shuttle bus or public bus from the airport. More on that later. The reception guy was friendly, the room was clean -what more do you want?

Next- problems…..

Swiftly checked in I somehow missed the entrance to the lounge and ended up in the cafe by the departure gates. A coffee and a couple of croissants later it’s time to board my ride back to Blighty - a sister aircraft to the one that started this adventure. Happily i’m in my favourite seat of 4C this time.

Once airborne cabin service begins and I am offered a choice of salad or salad The crew obviously haven’t worked out I'm Scottish! And with that, dear reader(s), I have to end the flight report. I’ve had a couple of health problems over the last eighteen months and one of them manifested itself during this flight. I have no recollection of anything from this point onwards until being surrounded by a wonderful BA cabin crew at the top of the airbridge asking me if I am okay. HAL staff and a paramedic were summoned and I was advised to go to Hillingdon hospital to get checked out. The staff there couldn’t find anything wrong with me - as has happened in the two previous occasions. I blame the trauma on the crew for asking me to eat salad!

Released from hospital I managed to find a reasonably priced hotel (Mercure London Heathrow) for the night before returning back home via the RailAir 2 service and South Western Railway.

This has been my biggest adventure for quite a while and I hope (if you’ve stayed to this point) that you have enjoyed coming along with me. Feel free to ask any questions/critique the reports. I’ve enjoyed my trip and that's the important bit!
Den

That has to be the most poignant end to a TR I've ever read! Glad you are recovered, and thanks for the 'story so far'!

T8191

Thanks for reading and your best wishes. I attended a TIA clinic at the start of the year and have had a phone consultation with the consultant since I returned. He reckons there is nothing to worry about just now. I would just love to know what happened in the intervening time and hopefully didn't cause any stress to the crew.

Yours Aye

Den

Thanks for the trip report. Glad you're back to standard health!

HouFlyer61

Thanks for reading and your kind comment.

Yours Aye

Den

Great TR, I appreciated the nods to your military service. Only flown in RAAF C130Hs and one QF 74L, would have been mind blown with a RAF VC-10!

Hope you're on the path to recovery and look forward to more TRs for any future adventures.