HIGH FLYER - QATAR
High Flyer - Qatar - Luxury Travel Magazine
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High Flyer Qatar | |||||
| By: Jenny Caspersonn, Issue 47 – Winter 2011 | |||||
| (Qatar Airways, Doha, Melbourne) | |||||
| ROUTE FROM DOHA TO MELBOURNE, BY JENNY CASPERSONN. | |||||
| THE CHECK-IN | |||||
| In the Qatari capital, Doha, Qatar Airways has a dedicated Premium Terminal for first and business class passengers. It offers impressive dining and duty-free shopping facilities and also features spa and treatment rooms, saunas, jacuzzis, conference rooms and a children’s play area. But best of all it has an exclusive concierge-style seated check-in, convenient and personalised and a welcome change from the standard queue procedures of other airlines. | |||||
| The Lounges | |||||
| With an emphasis on light and space the lounge areas in the Premium Terminal are a stylish mixture of limestone and blonde timber, comfortable leather seating and soothing water features amidst towering palms and sculptural potted plants. For business travellers there are first-rate office facilities including conference rooms with audio-visual capabilities, several meeting rooms and secretarial services. In the separate dedicated first class lounge there are guest rooms set up hotelstyle with twin beds for those weary travellers needing a serious nap. | |||||
| The Cabin | |||||
| Qatar’s colour scheme is a soft grey with deep cherry red trim and seat cushions. Business class on Qatar’s Boeing 777 is a two-two-two seat configuration, so each passenger is assured of an aisle or a window seat and ample space. Qatar has a policy of no plane being older than five years so the aircraft are in pristine condition. | |||||
| The Service | |||||
| The crew is drawn from all over the world and, according to Qatar Airways CEO Mr Akbar Al Baker, is put through a rigorous training regimen and the highest standards are expected of them. It shows. The standard of service could not be faulted; the staff always professional yet attentive and charming, and the female staff could be supermodels in their spare time. | |||||
| The Seats | |||||
| Seats are fabric with leather cushions and a footrest with an in-seat massage option. The seats recline fully flat to 180 degrees. Each of the 42 business class seats has a 15.4-inch touch screen monitor and in-seat power supply and there is plenty of storage and ample lighting. Tray tables are conveniently stowed and well sized. | |||||
| Entertainment | |||||
| Each Boeing 777 features the Oryx Entertainment system. It offers around 900 audio and video entertainment options. The smallish buttons on the controller might be difficult for older, less dexterous passengers, but the movies were mercifully free from the tedious pre-movie advertisements and endorsements passengers must endure on other airlines. | |||||
| Food and Beverage | |||||
| It is a punishable offence to drink alcohol or be drunk in public in Qatar. Alcohol is available in the airport lounges but not while the aircraft is still on the ground. Once airborne, the champagne – or whatever beverage one desires from around the world - flows generously. The diverse wine list included selections from France, New Zealand, Australia, Portugal and Germany. Dining is on demand or a la carte and the menu is a fusion of Western and Middle Eastern cuisine. Dinner began with a delicious classic Arabic mezze plate followed by seared lamb with Moroccan spices finishing with an incredibly fresh fruit platter, desserts and chocolate. | |||||
| The extras | |||||
| Qatar Airways provides comfy sleep suits and generous amenities kits. | |||||
| The Gripes | |||||
| The timing of the Doha to Melbourne service, which arrives in the evening, means Sydney-bound passengers must overnight in Melbourne due to Sydney airport’s curfew. Nevertheless there is a comfortable airport Hilton in Melbourne for an easy connection on to Sydney the next morning. | |||||
| On Time Performance | |||||
| The flight departed on time and arrived on schedule. Fares. Qatar Airways flies non-stop from Melbourne to Doha daily. Fares range from approximately A$9,500 to A$10,000 for return business class but do shop around as prices vary. qatarairways.com | |||||
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