QR F A320 & A380 plus AUH & DOH lounges review

[boomy]

Haven't seen many QR F reports on AFF so decided to share my recent journey:

BNE-MEL-AUH QF J B737 / EY F A380
I've reviewed EY F before so won't do it again here.

AUH-DOH-CDG QR F A320 / QR F A380
The review will focus on AUH T1 Al Dhabi and Al Reem lounges, flight to DOH, arrivals lounge, short visit to the city, Al Safwa F lounge and flight to CDG.

 

[Major]

I have only been to the EY AUH J Lounge , so looking forward to the comparisons

 

[Pointcollector]

Looking forward to your review of the Al Safwa as I'll be there in Feb.

 

[boomy]

At AUH check in I was given invitation to Al Dhabi lounge, located after security, next to the airport hotel. This is the bigger lounge out of the two in T1. It is divided into three large rooms with plenary seating options. First two rooms have some self-serve food stations and the last room designed like more like a pub and staff offer table service.









Nice place, quite impressive as PriorityPass lounge.

 

[boomy]

Next I went to visit Al Reem, also located after security (turn right for Al Dhabi or left for Al Reem). When showed my BP was told F pax can enter Al Dhabi which is much bigger lounge. Said I was there and now want to visit this one. The lady at reception gave me a strange look, she clearly didn't understand. Al Reem was indeed smaller but also nice place to sit and relax. I had big breakfast at the hotel before going to airport so didn't eat anything but food options looked decent. Nice bar here as well, also very good PP lounge.

 

[NZflygirl]

I foresee an AFF Qatar airline section in the future.

I'm just a bit confused why you're flying EY over then jumping to DOH for QR?? vs flying QR F out from Syd? I thought it was supposed to be more expensive rather than flying through the middle east.

A320 J or Y? I didn't think they had F on their A320.

 

[boomy]

I'm just a bit confused why you're flying EY over then jumping to DOH for QR?? vs flying QR F out from Syd? I thought it was supposed to be more expensive rather than flying through the middle east.

I did AA 100K redemption. Same price for SYD-DOH-CDG on QR F or MEL-AUH-DOH-CDG on EY F / QR F

A320 J or Y? I didn't think they had F on their A320.

QR have either Y or F, no J on their A320s.

 

[NZflygirl]

I did AA 100K redemption. Same price for SYD-DOH-CDG on QR F or MEL-AUH-DOH-CDG on EY F / QR F

QR have either Y or F, no J on their A320s.

Wow Had no idea you could do a mix and match like that with an AA redemption!! (I'm a bit Vanilla in my thinking I guess)

Hmmm I flew QR 777 Per-Doh then A320 Doh-Bud in J end of September. It was definitely J onboard. Mini B/E diamond seats (not sure if I have the name right) 2-2 layout with I think 3 rows worth? I don't think I took any pics. Looks just like their 787/A350/A380 J product but smaller and 2-2 layout. There is apparently an A330 that has F ie not throughout the fleet but otherwise it's only their A380 with F. If you're going to fly J in an A320 - I suspect this is the best in the skies! (Unless you get the older version which is possible on your short leg).

I did a quick google and see OMAAT have mislabelled the same A320 seats as first class, however the Qatar site is correct, it's business class.

 

[boomy]

Wow Had no idea you could do a mix and match like that with an AA redemption!! (I'm a bit Vanilla in my thinking I guess)

Hmmm I flew QR 777 Per-Doh then A320 Doh-Bud in J end of September. It was definitely J onboard. Mini B/E diamond seats (not sure if I have the name right) 2-2 layout with I think 3 rows worth? I don't think I took any pics. Looks just like their 787/A350/A380 J product but smaller and 2-2 layout. There is apparently an A330 that has F ie not throughout the fleet but otherwise it's only their A380 with F. If you're going to fly J in an A320 - I suspect this is the best in the skies! (Unless you get the older version which is possible on your short leg).

I did a quick google and see OMAAT have mislabelled the same A320 seats as first class, however the Qatar site is correct, it's business class.

QR call their A320 premium cabin First Class same as some USA airlines do although it's actually more like J.



You were lucky getting their refurbished product to BUD which they also use on shorter legs intra-ME.

 

[boomy]

AUH-DOH QR A320 seat 2A 1h 10m

I was hoping to review QR new short haul F product with seats they go fully flat but it wasn't meant to be and I got the old F product.



The seats are similar to TK intra-Europe J product.

The cabin was three rows with 2-2 layout.
Wasn't too impressed by the legroom.



Row 1 had was much better (can't pre-select online), should have asked to switch at check-in.

Welcome drink mint-lemonade and choice of hot or cold towel.



Nicely printed menu - for 1 hour flight!







Pre-takeoff service continues with traditional Arabic coffee and dates.



Soon after takeoff the FA came to take drink orders. I've asked for champagne and was told there are two choices of Lanson. I went for the Rose.



For main I chose mushroom arancini, small serve but delicious.



Two more refills of champagne and it was time to prepare for landing.

Service was extremely efficient. Just two FAs took care of us but from the moment seatbelt was off they didn't stop serving until the very end when seatbelt was on again to prepare for landing.

Interesting the FA didn't take my glass and let me keep drinking all the way to the gate

Welcome to Qatar

 

[NZflygirl]

QR call their A320 premium cabin First Class same as some USA airlines do although it's actually more like J.

View attachment 86438

You were lucky getting their refurbished product to BUD which they also use on shorter legs intra-ME.

I just plugged in DXB to DOH on the QR booking website and it looks like they market their business product as First class on certain short routes (presumably it's within the ME). Then if they take it med-long haul they call it J again. They had the 772, A350, 787, A320 etc all listed under first class. Same seat, different label. $1000 or so for 1hr 10 flight :shock:. Given QR is known for it's airplane changes fingers crossed you'll get the refurb on the way back. I'm guessing if they're calling it first that means you'd have access to Al Safwa also (although you'd have access to Al Safwa anyway due to coming off A380 F??).

 

[boomy]

Same seat, different label. $1000 or so for 1hr 10 flight :shock:.

Wow now I understand why service was so good!

 

[boomy]

QR Arrivals Lounge

After clearing customs and paying the annoying QAR100 entry visa fee I saw the arrivals lounge.



Must say I didn't know anything about this lounge. I don't usually use arrival lounges unless going strait to the city with no hotel booked. Most arrival lounges I've visited (AUH, CDG, HKG, LHR) were ordinary and failed to impress so didn't have any expectations from this one. Boy was I wrong... This lounge is amazing! Not only this is the nicest arrival lounge I've seen but it's also nicer than many J lounges out there.

After reception took the lift to second floor entrance.



Media area with personal iPads next to each seat.





Smoking room.



Relaxation TV rooms.



Toilets with Rituals amenities.





Shower are very clean.







Dining area.







Bridge to the other side.



Nice views of the terminal.





Business centre.





Working stations.



Meeting rooms.



More siting areas and monitors.



I was alone there and could spend more time in this beautiful lounge but had plans to go explore the city.

 

[boomy]

I've used the free airport wifi to order Uber.
Cost to Museum of Islamic Art was $AU10.







Entrance to the museum is free.



View from ground floor, interesting design.



View from second floor.





On top of the permanent Islamic Art exhibition there was "Treasures From China" exhibition on the ground floor (until 7th Jan) and special tribute to Muhammad Ali on the 3rd floor. Something for everyone.

 

[boomy]

Later I took a walk on the promenade next to the museum to admire new Doha high rise jungle.





It was beautiful sunny day (19 degrees) so I've decided to sit down at a coffee shop and admire the views plus some military air show going on that day.



Sitting at that particular coffee shop (the only one in the area) doesn't come cheap, small cup of mint tea was $AU8! No wonder most patrons were either tourists or various airline cabin crew.

View from another angle of the city and museum.



Solar mobile charging stations, great idea.

 

[boomy]

Next stop is Souq Waqif, also within walking distance.











Nice walk in the tradition market, felt like stepping back in time. Had good chat with a lady who sells photographs of the old Qatar and learned more about their history. Meanwhile it started to get dark outside so around 5pm I've decided to call it a day and head to the airport. I'll explore the rest of the city (new part) when back for another short stopover next year.

 

[mmchow]

Just caught up with this TR. Nice photos and how did you manage to squeeze 10 photos into 1 post? Nonetheless, thanks for sharing again.

 

[NZflygirl]

Wow now I understand why service was so good!

On your way to being a QR convert?

 

[boomy]

Just caught up with this TR. Nice photos and how did you manage to squeeze 10 photos into 1 post? Nonetheless, thanks for sharing again.

I'm using AFF app on iPhone, doesn't seem to be any limit on number of photos can be uploaded in one post.

On your way to being a QR convert?

They definitely gave me the best first impression

 

[boomy]

Light traffic on the way to airport, driver dropped me off at premium check-in.



Got my BP already in AUH but I had plenty time to burn so decided to go for the full check in experience.





Dedicated security and passport control for F pax.



Shortcut to F lounge, no need to go through duty free.



There was no one else at F check-in, staff were so bored and seemed happy to serve someone, it felt like a true VIP experience.