The Travelling Dassie: October 2014

Transit at Doha - Hamad International Airport

I arrived at Doha airport with a flight from Johannesburg. I had a two hours layover before my next flight and was a bit nervous that it would not be enough time.

Before going to the transit gates, you have to go through security. The lines were very long but moved quickly. I approached a staff member at the Business class line and told him I had a very short layover. He allowed me to use the business class line.

Sign posted

The way to the transfer gates were very well sign posted in English and Arabic

Laptops

I did not have to take out my laptop from its bag to go through security

Lounges

There are business class lounges but no Priority pass lounges as yet.
Next to my departure gate was a quiet/family lounge. The lights were dimmed and you could lie
comfortably on the seats (reclined). Entry was free of charge

Refreshments

There are enough shops to buy refreshments, magazines etc

Announcements

Boarding announcements were made

Departure Gates

Business class and priority passengers were allowed to enter the gates first.
Ground crew scanned boarding passes at the gate and passengers were then seated in a holding area
Boarding of the plane was done first by business class and priority passengers. Economy class passengers boarded by row, those sitting at the back of the plane boarded first

Qatar Airlines - Economy Class Airbus A330-300 QR059 28 September 2014

Route

QR059 from Doha to Munich 28 September 2014
Please take note that this route is serviced by an Airbus A330-300, Airbus A330-200 and a Boeing 787-8 .
This review is for the Airbus A330-300

Scheduled Duration

6 hours 10 minutes

On time departure and arrival

Departed a bit late but landed 25 min early

Ground Crew and check-in

I made my booking online and could pre-booked my seat.
This was a connecting flight and I could check in online 36 hours before departure of the first leg of my journey. Take note that check in to and from the U.S only opens 24 hours prior to departure.
My check in luggage were booked through to my final destination, and I did not need to collect my luggage at Doha arrivals.
The ground crew were friendly and helpful.

Boarding procedure

Priority boarding for Business Class passengers, as well as certain loyalty members, families with small children and assisted passengers.
Economy class passengers boarded by rows. Those sitting at the back of the plane boarded first. This was strictly enforced

Luggage allowance

Hand luggage - One piece of carry-on luggage, not exceeding 7kg
Checked luggage - 30 kg. Max dimension (length + height + width) of 406cm
See more on baggage allowances and rules.

Before take-off

Moist wipes were provided to freshen up.

Seating

This flight had 2 classes, Business (22 flat bed seats) and Economy (232 standard seats)
Economy Seating:
Seat pitch - 83.82 cm (33")
Seat width - 44.45 cm (17.5")
The configuration is 2-4-2
Seat map can be viewed on Seatguru or on Qatar Airbus A330-300
I sat in row 16F. It was a standard seat and had normal recline. It had enough overhead storage space.
Take note that the seats against the bulkheads have limited recline.

Manual air vent and reading light above seats. Button to call the flight attendant.
The seat had a headrest that can be adjusted on the sides as well as up and down
Each seat had a footrest

In flight Amenities

Pillow and blanket
Small bag with flight socks, toothbrush and -paste, eye mask- these were handed out after take-off
Stereo headset

Entertainment

See more on Oryx entertainment
My entertainment system did not work correctly. The screens were small and the system old
You could only follow the progress of your flight on the screens against the bulkhead.
No on board cameras to view outside
A remote control for the entertainment system is provided.

In-flight communications

Mobile phones could be used. Roaming charger applied.
No Wi-Fi available

Charging points for electronic devices

No USB charging point.

Meals and refreshments

Early morning snack
A chicken roll were served just after take-off.

Specify any dietary requirements at time of booking e.g. vegetarian.

Late night snack
Breakfast was served shortly before landing.
There was a choice eggs or pancakes.
I had the eggs served with a sausage and potatoes.
Bread rolls were served.
On the tray - fruit salad, yogurt, spread for rolls, orange juice, cup for hot beverage.
Cutlery and serviette.

Refreshments
Coffee/tea was served after meals. Drinks and wine were served before the meal.

Toilets

The toilets were kept clean.
Soap, body lotion and fragrance were provided.
Wet wipes inside a sachet to clean toilet seat or hands
Paper towels and tissues.
Basin to wash hands and brush teeth.
Baby changing facilities

In-flight shopping

In-flight shopping was available

Travelling with Children

Baby bassinets must be pre booked. Meal request for children must be made at time of reservation.
Milk and baby food can be warmed up by the cabin crew
The airline has activity packs for young children and special kit for parents travelling with infants (including diapers, baby food jars. a bottle and toys)
Read more on Qatar- Travelling with infants

Crew

The on board crew was friendly and helpful.

Disembarking

Business class disembarked first, then economy class. Economy class disembarked from the front of the plane.

Overall opinion

What I liked
Tasty and well presented meals.
The seats are wide enough with a decent pitch.
Wet wipes to clean the toilet seat
Comfortable headrest
Footrests

Not so good
Entertainment system
No Wi-Fi
The armrest do not fold away completely, only about 3/4 of the way
The entertainment system box at the base of the seats is very big and limits foot space - see photos

Seats

Remote Control

Footrest and Entertainment box

Breakfast