QR F A320 & A380 plus AUH & DOH lounges review
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boomy
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The time was 6pm and my flight was scheduled to depart at 7am the next day (lounge is opened 24/7) so I had plenty of time explore... Sleeping rooms are limited to six hours so I put my bag in one of the lockers and went for to have drinks and dinner.
There are two dining areas in the lounge. This is the smaller one with self serve buffet and sushi.
As expected from first class only lounge, the alcohol was high quality. Although Krug champagne is no longer offered, the alternative is even better IMO.
The main dining area is much bigger with individual tables and large bar in the middle.
Tea and coffee display.
Red wine selection.
Food menu.
Pumpkin Soup.
Grilled Fillet Steak.
After dinner the tour continues...
There are two dining areas in the lounge. This is the smaller one with self serve buffet and sushi.
As expected from first class only lounge, the alcohol was high quality. Although Krug champagne is no longer offered, the alternative is even better IMO.
The main dining area is much bigger with individual tables and large bar in the middle.
Tea and coffee display.
Red wine selection.
Food menu.
Pumpkin Soup.
Grilled Fillet Steak.
After dinner the tour continues...
boomy
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Passing by the water feature again.
More sitting.
Another huge service desk inside the lounge.
Business centre with individual working stations.
Small DF inside the lounge (very expensive).
There are private TV rooms for the parents...
And game rooms for the kids.
The lounge was never busy but around 8:30pm I've noticed it became completely empty. Seriously, I was the only passenger left in this huge place! Luckily there were large number of very friendly staff, most seemed bored and in the mood to talk so I took a seat on the bar, opened new bottle of Comtes and chatted to the barman and his friends who were all jobless until the 2:20am pax to BKK start showing up.
When asking why they start limiting the sleeping rooms to six hours (used to be unlimited) I was surprised to hear that some pax were taking advantage and "living" in the lounge for few days on each visit! Pax used to book fully Flexi F tickets and change them on the day and apparently it was perfectly legal so the only thing QR could do is limit the use of sleeping rooms to try and discourage this kind of behaviour.
More sitting.
Another huge service desk inside the lounge.
Business centre with individual working stations.
Small DF inside the lounge (very expensive).
There are private TV rooms for the parents...
And game rooms for the kids.
The lounge was never busy but around 8:30pm I've noticed it became completely empty. Seriously, I was the only passenger left in this huge place! Luckily there were large number of very friendly staff, most seemed bored and in the mood to talk so I took a seat on the bar, opened new bottle of Comtes and chatted to the barman and his friends who were all jobless until the 2:20am pax to BKK start showing up.
When asking why they start limiting the sleeping rooms to six hours (used to be unlimited) I was surprised to hear that some pax were taking advantage and "living" in the lounge for few days on each visit! Pax used to book fully Flexi F tickets and change them on the day and apparently it was perfectly legal so the only thing QR could do is limit the use of sleeping rooms to try and discourage this kind of behaviour.
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boomy
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Around 10:30pm after couple of hours sitting on the bar chatting with the staff and drinking too much champagne it was time to go sleep in the quiet area.
There is a spa in the lounge but it's not complementary for anyone, not even short massage, nothing. This is my one and only criticism of the amazing lounge, it was designed for first class pax only so QR should offer some complementary treatments as in many other F lounges.
Let's go back to positive things, maybe the most impressive feature of this lounge are the sleeping rooms. The whole area designed like a luxury hotel with 10 private rooms that can be used for six hours on first come first served basis.
The rooms are not huge but they have everything one needs for few hours rest or, as in my case, good night sleep.
Comfortable bed.
TV and desk.
Amenities.
Shower.
The six hours rule is more of a guideline, no will bother genuine guests who stay little bit longer. I slept for 7 hours, as good as in any of the 5* hotels in Doha but with the luxury of waking up at the airport before my flight
There is a spa in the lounge but it's not complementary for anyone, not even short massage, nothing. This is my one and only criticism of the amazing lounge, it was designed for first class pax only so QR should offer some complementary treatments as in many other F lounges.
Let's go back to positive things, maybe the most impressive feature of this lounge are the sleeping rooms. The whole area designed like a luxury hotel with 10 private rooms that can be used for six hours on first come first served basis.
The rooms are not huge but they have everything one needs for few hours rest or, as in my case, good night sleep.
Comfortable bed.
TV and desk.
Amenities.
Shower.
The six hours rule is more of a guideline, no will bother genuine guests who stay little bit longer. I slept for 7 hours, as good as in any of the 5* hotels in Doha but with the luxury of waking up at the airport before my flight
NZflygirl
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I have to admit being a kiwi my heart always does a little flutter when I see our wines making establishments like this.
Secondly I saw the menu and thought I'll have pumpkin soup, Moroccan lamb skewers, steak and tiramisu. Scrolled down and stoked to see you ordered 2 of my 4 choices!
It just goes without saying I'm going to 'like' each post.
The games room I had envisioned table tennis etc but your pics demonstrate the lack of such an activity so I can only conclude this activity does not represent first class behaviour
. Love the massive bar and would happily chat with staff. How amazing that someone on a first class Flexi ticket would essentially try to "live" in the lounge. As amazing as it is I can't see myself trying that one on.
Great pics. Looking forward to the onboard instalment!
boomy
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I feel the same when I see Australian wines abroad
Secondly I saw the menu and thought I'll have pumpkin soup, Moroccan lamb skewers, steak and tiramisu. Scrolled down and stoked to see you ordered 2 of my 4 choices!
Great minds think alike
I had lamb skewers as well 
Tiramisu is my favourite dessert but this time I gave it a miss because my +1 always complains I come back few extra kgs heavier after each F trip
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Assuming you weren't able to use the free QR transit visa then? https://transitvisa.qatarairways.co...;jsessionid=wS31qPdD6SKJ9DfMaUpSKOXg.vis6s4y2
We used this on our stopover which was great - spent those QAR on desperately needed coffees instead
Don't know if the air force regularly does the impromptu airshow, or if we were there the same day because we saw it too! 13th Dec.
We used this on our stopover which was great - spent those QAR on desperately needed coffees instead
Don't know if the air force regularly does the impromptu airshow, or if we were there the same day because we saw it too! 13th Dec.
Assuming you weren't able to use the free QR transit visa then? https://transitvisa.qatarairways.co...;jsessionid=wS31qPdD6SKJ9DfMaUpSKOXg.vis6s4y2
We used this on our stopover which was great - spent those QAR on desperately needed coffees instead
Don't know if the air force regularly does the impromptu airshow, or if we were there the same day because we saw it too! 13th Dec.
Sorry to drift... but does anyone know if one can apply for the transit visa when booked on a QF Award itinerary ?
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boomy
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Good question. Interesting to know that as well.
boomy
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Woke up one hour before departure, quick shower, coffee and about 30 min later a nice lady from QR came to escort me to the gate. For some reason I assumed my flight (being A380) will board from one of the gates with direct access from the lounge but it wasn't the case.
We had quite a walk from the lounge to our gate, on the way passed by the $6.8 million giant teddy bear.
When arrived was told I was the last pax to board but there was no one else in first class. Yep, I had the cabin all to myself Two rows 8 seats 1-2-1 layout.
Very stylish and elegant design. The open layout makes the cabin feel very specious but lack of privacy can be an issue. No problem on short flights (until recently QR A380 flew only to BKK, CDG & LHR) but I wonder how it will feel on flights to Australia and USA, especially with full cabin. There are privacy partitions in each seat which can be raised to provide more privacy.
We had quite a walk from the lounge to our gate, on the way passed by the $6.8 million giant teddy bear.
When arrived was told I was the last pax to board but there was no one else in first class. Yep, I had the cabin all to myself
Two rows 8 seats 1-2-1 layout. Very stylish and elegant design. The open layout makes the cabin feel very specious but lack of privacy can be an issue. No problem on short flights (until recently QR A380 flew only to BKK, CDG & LHR) but I wonder how it will feel on flights to Australia and USA, especially with full cabin. There are privacy partitions in each seat which can be raised to provide more privacy.
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Batesy
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Similar question for me.
I'm in a transit in June at DOH. Only two hours coming in from Athens the onto SIN. QF award with QR. Assume its just that a transit and no visa required?? Is the visa just if you want to enter the country?
boomy
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You don't need visa for transit.
NZflygirl
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I think it's very much an individual preference as to whether privacy is viewed as isolation. I personally prefer an open cabin even if solo but I think the dividers are good enough for me in QRs case whereas others may prefer EKs enclosed suite. I love simple functional designs with with just a bit of something extra to make it elegant. I'm close to buying some AA miles. I actually want to try Y on QR A380 upper deck, will likely have work trip on QR later also so I'm not sure I would use miles in 2017. But I feel like I want them just in case... they would get used in 2018...I think!
Can I have my next fix of pics please
boomy
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My problem with open cabins is potential noises during the night as I'm not comfortable sleeping with NC headphones.
With current AA promo QR F Australia to Europe will be ~$AU3,000 one way inc taxes. Decent value.
NZflygirl
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AA miles bought. J doesn't seem to do the price justice so F it is. I normally like planning but I'm not looking forward to this hunt. A new skill to learn that I don't have.
I had to acknowledge my hankering to try QRs A380 Y upper deck though and was thinking thats better done out of BKK for the short flight time but...... QR had a sale on out of SYD so - 15hrs in Y it is! :shock: Get to try the 787 Y also but fly back J. Y upper deck looks sort of PE ish.
Anyway, thanks for the trip report 'nudge over the cliff'
J doesn't seem to do the price justice so F it is. I normally like planning but I'm not looking forward to this hunt. A new skill to learn that I don't have.I had to acknowledge my hankering to try QRs A380 Y upper deck though and was thinking thats better done out of BKK for the short flight time but...... QR had a sale on out of SYD so - 15hrs in Y it is! :shock: Get to try the 787 Y also but fly back J
. Y upper deck looks sort of PE ish. Anyway, thanks for the trip report 'nudge over the cliff'
boomy
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AA miles bought.
I had to acknowledge my hankering to try QRs A380 Y upper deck though and was thinking thats better done out of BKK for the short flight time but...... QR had a sale on out of SYD so - 15hrs in Y it is! :shock: Get to try the 787 Y also but fly back J
Anyway, thanks for the trip report 'nudge over the cliff'
For points redemption I always go for F as it's usually not much higher than J. AA changed this ratio on most routes with recent devaluation but booing QR is still good value. I was tossing about pulling the trigger on the AA offer and eventually decided to hold and burn my AS, LM and QF points for the next two years of travel.
Did SQ Y on A380 upper deck once and thought it's as good as Y can get (doing it again this year). I hope you will have similar experience with QR.
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