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QR #42 Business Class CDG-DOH Return

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  • QR #42 Business Class CDG-DOH Return

    Hello Avid Travelling Enthusiasts! Here's my first (of many) contribution to this forum. I'm a young man who loves travelling and luckily enough, I had quite a handfuls of opportunity to get to places due to work-related and of course, Leisure.

    I would like to start with on my first ever Trip Report on a return trip to Doha using Qatar Airways. This I have to say was definitely one of the best Business class that I've been on thus far.

    PART ONE

    The flight takes us on QR42 at Paris, CDG. Duration: 6h 25 mins journey.

    Qatar Boarding Pass with Business Class Lounge invitation at Terminal 1 CDG.



    Sorry no pictures of the lounge but it was definitely mediocre. Nothing to comment on to be honest. Since it was a morning flight.. Nothing served were hot except for just coffee if you want to put it that way. No personalised restrooms/Toilet. The ones catered for business/first class were situated outside of the lounge same genre as any normal public toilet.

    The big plane A330 as I believe. Mind you, this flight took place last year before QR decided to change the flight to a A380.



    Seats Configuration 2 x 2 x 2. At least for me, it wasn't a full flight and got myself the back row of the class all to myself



    Extra extra extra leg room


    View from my window seat Malaysia Airline's and Singapore Airline A380



    Before, the flight disembarked - the head of crew was going around introducing herself to all of us and questioned if there was anything that we would request to make the flight even enjoyable. As it was my first ever on Business Class with QR. I was bit sparkled eyes to see everything and anticipated their service lol.

    Other than that, they took order of our food which was a three satisfying course meal and we can let them know when we like the food to be served.

    Welcome drink and Peanuts mmmmm



    After the safety talks, take-off and a further 30 mins. Food service started -

    Arab Mezze



    Lamb with Arabic Rice



    Ice cream with lemon tart if I'm not mistaken



    After the heavy meal, I was too full to watch anything - ended up dozing off.



    To my surprise after i woke up in the middle of my nap. they placed a bottle of Evian and the famous Godiva chocolates on my side.



    Then it was a trip to the toilet, and it is pretty cool to see a window in the toilet. At least you can see whats going on outside whilst you are doing your business haha..

    Other than that, it was not long after that it was time to decent.
    Also, mind you during this flight - Hamad international Airport hasn't opened yet. So I've arrived to the old Doha International Airport - which like I guess in most cases in the middle east, you get to disembark off the plane down the stairways and enter to a dedicated bus to go to the arrival building.

    Array of Qatar Airways planes





    Stay tuned for the next post.

  • #2
    Nice TR Bro Hajimbo. I have always wanted to visit the Middle East but the security situation now puts me off... Sigh. But yes, I agree with you that walking down the stairs and being bussed to terminal beats using the aerobridge any day! I can still hear the whistle of aircraft engines in my ears, and see myself standing on the tarmac...

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    • #3
      Nice TR Hajimbo, and welcome to SQTalk!

      SQ22, disembarkation with stairs was a good aspect of the old airport for me as well. Transit on the other hand was often...

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      • #4
        Thanks for the TR. That's an A340-600 by the look of it - nice quiet ride, but the later hard product on the 787/A380 and A350 are in a different league.

        As an aside QRs 4 A340-600s were unique high gross weight birds. A special entry in the "just what were they thinking?" category of the WTF awards.

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        • #5
          nice report. I agree. QR has the best business class at least in terms of catering. The seat I guess is still acceptable for your day flight to Doha.

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          • #6
            Very nice TR, Hajimbo! The QR catering looks very impressive.

            Very tempted to try QR on my next trip to the Middle East or Europe. Or maybe I should wait until they deploy the A350 on the Singapore-Doha route!

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by SQ22 View Post
              Nice TR Bro Hajimbo. I have always wanted to visit the Middle East but the security situation now puts me off... Sigh. But yes, I agree with you that walking down the stairs and being bussed to terminal beats using the aerobridge any day! I can still hear the whistle of aircraft engines in my ears, and see myself standing on the tarmac...
              Cheers SQ22. Well, don't let the current put you off about the Middle East. At least going to places like Qatar, U.A.E, Oman.. are still relatively safe and you can still enjoying travelling around at ease. On the plus side, the excellent airline companies are from these places.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by mr_botak View Post
                Thanks for the TR. That's an A340-600 by the look of it - nice quiet ride, but the later hard product on the 787/A380 and A350 are in a different league.

                As an aside QRs 4 A340-600s were unique high gross weight birds. A special entry in the "just what were they thinking?" category of the WTF awards.
                A340 was quite decent for me.. Of course, you can't compare the J class on 787/A380 and A350. Huge improvement - I was lucky enough to be on J class but will leave that for my later posts

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by dfs24 View Post
                  nice report. I agree. QR has the best business class at least in terms of catering. The seat I guess is still acceptable for your day flight to Doha.
                  No complains on this seat. It was flat bed position was possible and i could get a decent nap out of it

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by yflyer View Post
                    Very nice TR, Hajimbo! The QR catering looks very impressive.

                    Very tempted to try QR on my next trip to the Middle East or Europe. Or maybe I should wait until they deploy the A350 on the Singapore-Doha route!
                    For J class, Would definitely recommend it if you are keen on going QR anytime. But Y class, i would suggest to wait for the A350 deployment. I was on 787 from SIN-DOHA last month, i was not impressed at all ..

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Hajimbo View Post
                      For J class, Would definitely recommend it if you are keen on going QR anytime. But Y class, i would suggest to wait for the A350 deployment. I was on 787 from SIN-DOHA last month, i was not impressed at all ..
                      Thanks, Hajimbo! From recent ads in the paper, they are starting A350 operations from SIN in May, which may fit in quite well with my upcoming plans!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Hajimbo View Post
                        For J class, Would definitely recommend it if you are keen on going QR anytime. But Y class, i would suggest to wait for the A350 deployment. I was on 787 from SIN-DOHA last month, i was not impressed at all ..
                        +1. I once did QR Y on the 787 on the midnight departure from Doha. I managed to get the last row, which was a pair instead of 3, and even then it was cramped enough. QR J on the 787 is very good because I like my window seat yet drink way too much, so the direct aisle access comes handy. I however somehow prefer sleeping on QR 77W J seat.

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by dfs24 View Post
                          +1. I once did QR Y on the 787 on the midnight departure from Doha. I managed to get the last row, which was a pair instead of 3, and even then it was cramped enough. QR J on the 787 is very good because I like my window seat yet drink way too much, so the direct aisle access comes handy. I however somehow prefer sleeping on QR 77W J seat.
                          True but i think for me the 787 J class has more privacy to my liking and the seat arrangements of 1-2-1 for me is an added bonus

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            PART TWO

                            Date: 8-June-2014
                            Flight: QR37
                            Journey: Hamad International Airport (DOHA) - Charles DeGaulle Airport (CDG)
                            Flight duration: 6hr 35 mins
                            Class: J - Business Class

                            Upon returning to CDG, I was fortunate enough to witness to enter the newly airport what is now known as Hamad International Airport (which officially opened on 27-May-2014). At first glance, it was fairly an impressive airport in terms of architecture with high ceilings.



                            I love the grand entrance for business-first class passengers. Huge rows of check in desk - gave me the impression of how you normally checked in at a hotel. Two dedicated staffs to help you with your luggage and check in air ticket. Excellent service.



                            Boarding pass

                            Since the business lounge were still under renovation - QR gave each passengers airport vouchers which worth around 50 USD to spend on anything at the departure hall. Since it was around lunch time, I didn't want to spoil myself eating anything at the airport.. I would rather to indulge it better on the plane itself. So like most people, I took the advantage of purchasing my own duty-free perfume instead.



                            The million dollars worth of teddy bear as the centre piece of the airport. Its nice to see but I would rather see something else that signifies Qatar (at least an ORYX or something) than a huge yellow teddy bear. I would imagine maybe Selfridges/Harrods would do such a scheme.



                            At the waiting room, while waiting to be called to board the plane.



                            This time around, I was using a Boeing 777 than an Airbus A340-600. Such a hot steamy day in Qatar.



                            Seating view. Lucky enough, not a full J class service. Next to me was vacant. Unlike the A340, on the Boeing 777 seat frontal space are more wider.

                            As usual took my seat and head of the cabin crew introduce to every J passengers and letting us know if there is anything to be requested, we can go through him/her. Appreciated the gesture. Not long after that followed by taking the Menu orders.



                            Take off view



                            Welcoming drinks and appetisers



                            Seafood starter



                            Mains - Lamb with couscous (absolutely divine)



                            Dessert - something sweet so I opt for their ice cream with cranberries



                            View of Paris upon landing.

                            Definitely a very worthwhile return flight on Qatar Airways. Service was top-notch and since it was not a full J-service. Most of the cabin crews were very attentive to your needs. There was even some occasions of chit chat session which was a really nice gesture of them since I was travelling solo back to Paris. Food was exceptional especially the lamb!

                            Until my next post.

                            Enjoy

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