If you ever get the chance to fly business class with Qatar Airways from Doha Airport take it with both arms, legs and any other body parts you can spare.
Because this is the way flying is supposed to be.
By a strange quirk of fate, I recently transited through, departed from and flew into Hamad International Airport (DOH) so I got a pretty good look and feel for the place.
The spectacular 10,000 square metre tropical garden in the middle (named The Orchard) would be headline enough – but it’s the designated business (and first) class check in that also sets it apart.
Normally when you check in for the premium cabins you get a designated desk and, if you’re lucky, priority passage through the scrum that can be passport control and customs. Not at DOH.
Here there’s a whole section of the airport where the hoi polloi cannot tread, offering its own check in, smart gates and security scanning. We were sitting in one of the many lounges within minutes of arriving – indeed most of that time was taken up actually finding the lounge ‘cos this airport is seriously humongous.
A couple of hours in said lounge and then it was time to use the business class only boarding gate – yet another perk of being on the top deck of Qatar’s A380.
The cabin is laid out in a 1-2-1 formation so couples can sit together and the business folk can take the windows. A dividing panel between the two middle seats allows for privacy if you’re not flying with a partner. There’s plenty of space with 36 seats available.
First thing you notice is that the cabin is light and bright, with the distinctive QR plum colour accents throughout. There was also a gorgeous smell about the cabin, which could have been the crew’s perfume, but it was intoxicating.
Settling in to 12E, I could see the cubicle featured minimal gadgetry – seven simple seat instructions, a few charging ports and a hand held TV controller in its own housing. Functional, efficient and streamlined.
The ubiquitous amenities kit contained some very fancy Diptyque body products that my wife immediately snaffled along with a face mask, ear plugs and some socks (Qatar provide toothbrushes and paste in the spacious business class bathrooms.)
There was a small pillow, a bottle of water and a printed menu and beverage list tucked into a handy shelf behind me. At my feet was an extra pillow, fluffy maroon blanket and the seat mattress provided for extra comfort.
Quality noise-cancelling headphones were contained in a purpose-built compartment to my left while my shoes fitted comfortably into another compartment to the right.
With take-off slightly delayed due to air traffic, there was plenty of time for the delightful Karimi to bring me more than one glass of Duval-Leroy champagne, which I sipped on happily as she told me about her Kenyan roots.
Once we were airborne a glass of Saint Clair sauvignon blanc arrived and it was time to peruse the menu. There were at least four options per course and also a few light meal choices featuring soups, sandwiches and salads.
I opted for the classic Arabian mezze with pita bread to start, which came with pesto hummus, labneh tahini and avocado muhammara. All three were delicious but the serving was just too much for me.
Main course was a fragrant and tasty Thai yellow chicken curry with steamed jasmine rice and kai-lan (loved the sauce in a bottle), while dessert was a simple fresh berries and yoghurt cream. All washed down with more Saint Clair but the drinks menu was extensive and impressive.
Suitably replete, it was time to check out the more than 800 options on the Oryx One entertainment system. Films, TV shows, games, music and a very comprehensive flight map and several mounted plane cameras.
After a couple of favourite album tracks and a cheery movie it was time for bed and like many in the cabin I was happy to don the Qatar Airways pyjamas that were offered. Cool, comfortable and very chic (not really).
One touch of the remote and I was horizontal in seconds. Sometimes lie-flat beds can feel like trying to sleep on an ironing board but the QA offering was reasonably well padded.
The only issue I had – and it’s a common problem with lie flat beds on aircraft – was with the tapering of the foot space.
Being 1.82 metres tall I was forced to do some manoeuvres Michael Flatley would have been proud of to get my legs in a comfortable position. I had to put them on top of each other, pull one up and then lie on my side or lie flat on my back to sleep. I know…first world problem!
Fortunately, and in no small part thanks to the adult beverages, I managed several hours of shut-eye before being woken for breakfast (you never go hungry in business class!). Again, there were several options.
Highlight for me was a scrumptious yoghurt with chia, sour cherry compote and toasted pumpkin seed granola. It was worth waking up for on its own, but I also enjoyed the sweet potato and kale omelette with dill sauce and grilled chicken sausage.
With a couple of hours to kill before landing there was still time to check out the lounge at the back of the business class cabin. This is a great facility, allowing you to get up, stretch your legs and maybe have a glass or two with your partner or fellow passengers.
All too soon the experience was over and we were landing at Sydney. Unfortunately, the smart gates weren’t working and we had to queue up to go through immigration, before queuing again to get through customs.
Oh to be back at DOH….
