First time on Qatar Airways - my thoughts

[jase05]

@ols - which aircraft/flight for the F?

PER-DOH A380 I’d say

 

[ols]

A380 from Perth.
I know everyone raves about Qsuites and we flew them as well and Qatar A380 F is considered as a bit tired but we really enjoyed it.

 

[Gold Member]

Was stuck on tarmac at Perth for two hours.
Normally annoying but they kept refilling our glasses with Armand De Brignac Gold and profusely apologising for the delay every time.
They had more than one bottle on board!

Tarmac delays in First class are truly a first world problem. It’s great to see that Qatar Airlines served high quality champagne (and seemingly lots of it) over a 2 hour stretch while still grounded. I’m pretty sure the Airlines pay a bit more to offer that experience due to local taxes affecting consumption prices when on the ground as opposed to in the air.

It’s a shame some other airlines don’t serve any decent champagne until after take off, and then only in their own good time about 1 hour later. Pure penny pinching.

 

[RooFlyer]

Qatar A380 F is considered as a bit tired but we really enjoyed it.

Regionally (within a few hours flying of DOH - eg Cairo) QR sells only F and Y (maybe PE). The "F" is just business class in every respect including fare, but you earn at F rates and get entry to Al Safwa .

 

[Clayton]

A380 from Perth.
I know everyone raves about Qsuites and we flew them as well and Qatar A380 F is considered as a bit tired but we really enjoyed it.

We also have flown QR 1st a 4 times and Qsuites in 777, A350 and the 787 version which isn't quite as roomy.

We found 1st class super comfortable with the expected excellent seroice, it was at least on a par with Lufthansa and Singapore 1st (not suites) and better than Cathay Pacific 1st class prior to Covid (no idea what they are like now. The full size Qsuites is better than any other business class we have flown including Cathay, Singapore, Swiss and Lufthansa. The tighter 787 Qsuites door isn't as tall so less private , and the space and storage options are less less. I'd suggest it is probably on a par with their older J seat on the A380, but has better entertainment system but with trade-off to the slightly more roomy A380 seat when in sleep mode.

 

[Gold Member]

Regionally (within a few hours flying of DOH - eg Cairo) QR sells only F and Y (maybe PE). The "F" is just business class in every respect including fare, but you earn at F rates and get entry to Al Safwa .

These QR F short haul regional fares will eventually get enhanced ala AA KUPP/YUPP First class status runs. In fact given the animosity between QF and QR I’m amazed they still earn at F rates.

 

[RooFlyer]

These QR F short haul regional fares will eventually get enhanced ala AA KUPP/YUPP First class status runs. In fact given the animosity between QF and QR I’m amazed they still earn at F rates.

I was crediting to QR PC, so I dunno about QF .

 

[henleybeach]

My first time on Qatar last week
ADL-DOH-TBS
a350 into a 737max in J class
First flight, obviously Q suites. Lovely suites, I found the seat in bed mode and bit lumpy. Service was Meh. No interaction, stand off ish, did the absolute bare minimum. Really didn’t look interested.
Food was nice, nothing amazing and wasn’t any better than Etihad or Singapore

Second flight, was on standard recliner seats. A proper partition between J and Y.
Service was lot better, friendlier and engaging. Food again was nice. But nothing to stand out.

Overall the flights were good, just not amazing as I thought it was going to be after hearing so many good things about Qatar.
It’s another great option for velocity members tho!

 

[Daver6]

@ols - which aircraft/flight for the F?

Sounds like it was PER-DOH which is the A380.

 

[jrfsp]

Just checked the OW website and sure enough, it’s been updated in the last week or so. So same (better) lounge for full J tix and OWE/S in P and whY.
View attachment 385679

Can confirm - sitting in the PP lounge now flying QR, no complaints, decent seating, clean shower rooms and A/C that works!

 

[SYD]

Can confirm - sitting in the PP lounge now flying QR, no complaints, decent seating, clean shower rooms and A/C that works!

It had a reasonable food selection when I was there last year pre-CX (including cooked or assembled to order - similar to the Spice Bar at MEL QF Dom J lounge).

Meanwhile, did you end getting your luggage checked thru from QF or did you have to “enter” Indonesia and recheck with QR?

SYD+1 is off next week (QF J CR) and the QR revenue. I follow in a few weeks but we’re both o/n at CGK. For $50 hotel and another for a visa, it’s piece of mind avoiding a mis-connection as well as still being significantly cheaper than paying the Oz “Departure Tax”. We do it all again at Christmas ($3500 QR J CGK-MUC).

 

[jrfsp]

It had a reasonable food selection when I was there last year pre-CX (including cooked or assembled to order - similar to the Spice Bar at MEL QF Dom J lounge).

Meanwhile, did you end getting your luggage checked thru from QF or did you have to “enter” Indonesia and recheck with QR?

SYD+1 is off next week (QF J CR) and the QR revenue. I follow in a few weeks but we’re both o/n at CGK. For $50 hotel and another for a visa, it’s piece of mind avoiding a mis-connection as well as still being significantly cheaper than paying the Oz “Departure Tax”. We do it all again at Christmas ($3500 QR J CGK-MUC).

Sadly not had to enter and recheck, was a little bit painful waiting around but better to have too much time, T3 was roasting as always.

Just in the new garden lounge in Doha - much nicer than the south lounge which I’ve always found a bit sterile and strangely layed out.

Q suites didn’t get subbed which was a bonus! Service and catering was great as always.

 

[jase05]

It had a reasonable food selection when I was there last year pre-CX (including cooked or assembled to order - similar to the Spice Bar at MEL QF Dom J lounge).

Meanwhile, did you end getting your luggage checked thru from QF or did you have to “enter” Indonesia and recheck with QR?

SYD+1 is off next week (QF J CR) and the QR revenue. I follow in a few weeks but we’re both o/n at CGK. For $50 hotel and another for a visa, it’s piece of mind avoiding a mis-connection as well as still being significantly cheaper than paying the Oz “Departure Tax”. We do it all again at Christmas ($3500 QR J CGK-MUC).

As a rule we always stay a day or two in Jakarta but have had two occassions where we have had QF awards SYD-CGK and unable to check bags through to other OW flights.

 

[SYD]

Sadly not had to enter and recheck, was a little bit painful waiting around but better to have too much time, T3 was roasting as always.

and crowded….

What time does QR checkin open?

As a rule we always stay a day or two in Jakarta but have had two occassions where we have had QF awards SYD-CGK and unable to check bags through to other OW flights.

Yes, this non check through with CRs has become a problem for many but as mentioned earlier, I wouldn’t risk it anymore. I’m not that time poor and CGK is at least cheap. Co ing back, QR are also getting a bit thingy about through checking on seperate tickets.

 

[jase05]

and crowded….

What time does QR checkin open?


Yes, this non check through with CRs has become a problem for many but as mentioned earlier, I wouldn’t risk it anymore. I’m not that time poor and CGK is at least cheap. Co ing back, QR are also getting a bit thingy about through checking on seperate tickets.

Same with regards to time so we now tend to prefer to head into town as there is some good shopping in Jakarta and Mrs Jase loves to spend a full day at the malls

 

[jrfsp]

Check in opened 3.5 hours before the flight.

Yes if flights are significantly delayed then it’s very risky not having a night in between but I’m quite time poor and 6 hours between flights without any terminal change I’m comfortable to chance it

 

[jrfsp]

Had the 787-9 onwards to OSL, wasn’t bad but certainly nothing on the Q suite, I actually think I prefer the older A350/A350 seat, seems more spacious.
The service was fantastic- the staff member serving me kept bringing off the menu coughtails for me to try - who was I to say no?

 

[Mr H]

I had previously had very ordinary (actually poor) experiences with QR but my most recent flight with them last year (IKA-DOH-LHE) was totally different. I was extremely unwell and the cabin crew and ground staff couldn't have been nicer. And the new J lounge in DOH (the gardens one) is lovely.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

To the OP, have you checked whether you’re eligible for EU261 compensation for the downgrade? Could be worth 75% of the cost of the single sector.

 

[clifford]

I had previously had very ordinary (actually poor) experiences with QR but my most recent flight with them last year (IKA-DOH-LHE) was totally different. I was extremely unwell and the cabin crew and ground staff couldn't have been nicer. And the new J lounge in DOH (the gardens one) is lovely.

That's an interesting itinerary...