SA7700 From South Africa, joined Dec 2003, 2916 posts, RR: 20 Posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 1697 times:
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Good evening Ladies and Gents,
I would like to travel to Germany in the near future and see that Qatar has extremely competitive fares in economy and business class, far less so than fares on South African Airways, Swiss or Lufthansa with which I usually travel.
If you have travelled on Qatar Airways, may I ask what your overall impression is of the airline? Would you fly with them again?
Thanks for your opinions
Regards,
SA7700
When you are doing stuff that nobody has done before, there is no manual – Kevin McCloud
emirates202 From United States of America, joined Nov 2011, 237 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 1686 times:
I don't like Qatar. The FA's are always in a bad mood. I recommend EK. If you are flying out of JNB, you can try the A380. They are a magnificent airline.
Viscount724 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2006, 21495 posts, RR: 24 Reply 3, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 1656 times:
Quoting emirates202 (Reply 2): I don't like Qatar. The FA's are always in a bad mood. I recommend EK
Unlike EK, QR doesn't subject their 777 passengers to cramped 10-abreast economy class seating. QR's 9-abreast layout alone would be enough to make me choose QR over EK.
I've flown their triple sevens in Y and I must say I found them quite comfortable. Seatwise I venture to say they were as good as SQ A380s, wide enough (9 abreast) with plenty of legroom. The IFE screens were pretty large for economy, the content was a bit too ''arab-far eastern'' for me, but nonetheless good.
I would rate their in flight service 4-stars. SQ being 5 stars and AA being 1 star. All of this in economy terms, of course.
SA7700 From South Africa, joined Dec 2003, 2916 posts, RR: 20 Reply 6, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 1606 times:
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Hi guys,
Thanks for all the info, I really appreciate it. I'm planning to fly to FRA - Berlin is not on the itinerary this time around. I have no real incentive to fly with the A380 this time around as I have flown the bird with SQ. Unfortunately I did not experience a real "jawbreaker of an experience" on the A380 in comparison with the A340-600, which I have flown many times before with SA.
The Boeing 777-200LR and 777-300ER combination on the JNB-DOH-FRA sectors is a very appealing option as I have yet to fly on the 77L. I have flown with Emirates on Trans-Tasman flights and enjoyed their services and products. Unfortunately I’m not willing to take a chance via DXB as I have to take a prescribed tablet, by a medical specialist, for a chronic condition, which apparently appears on the UAE’s banned substances list…I refuse to spend time in a UAE jail cell.
Thanks for your opinions. If you have more ideas, please keep them coming.
Take care,
SA7700
When you are doing stuff that nobody has done before, there is no manual – Kevin McCloud
blueflyer From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 3126 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 1604 times:
Business-wise, I can't compare Qatar to SAA, but I'd definitively take them over Swiss or Lufthansa, unless seat comfort is the overriding factor, in which case Swiss may have the edge because Qatar has lie-flat seats in its 777 fleet only. Service is very good, and the premium terminal at DOH beats any lounge I have had the (dis)pleasure of setting foot in, even if it can appear a bit crowded at times (albeit nothing ever like a LH Senator or Business lounge at FRA).
something From United Kingdom, joined May 2011, 1633 posts, RR: 24 Reply 8, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 1595 times:
EK has fallen behind in all classes and the 10-abread 777s are an imposition. QR has nicer seats, more and better food, the F/As appear less stuck up, and the airline seems just a lot more generous (if your lay over exceeds 8hrs, they will get you a hotel room). On the downside, the ICE IFE on EK is much better. DOH is also not the nicest airport in its current state, but won't force you to run a marathon to switch gates.
If it is possible, I would try to go DOH-FRA, STR-DOH and try an A319 or A320 on the Germany - Qatar flight. Feels almost like a private jet and at least subjectively, the seats are more spacious. Or, if you can arrange it, try their A340-600 ex CDG. Probably one of the most beautiful jets in and out I have ever seen.
As far as your meds go.. the UAE has a lot of laws that they only enforce when convenient. Sure your South African prescription isn't enough to transit them through DXB? Also, have you checked if Qatar has similar bans in place?
But apart from the drug problem, I'd fly Qatar. I'd just try to get another airplane type in
SA7700 From South Africa, joined Dec 2003, 2916 posts, RR: 20 Reply 9, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 1572 times:
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Hi Something,
Thank you very much for the tips – I really appreciate it. At this stage it seems like a minefield on the net to find out what the current standards are for bringing medication into the UAE. I can’t seem to find the list that was always available. It seems as if a prescription from my treating doctor in South Africa will suffice in Qatar….
Keep well,
SA7700
When you are doing stuff that nobody has done before, there is no manual – Kevin McCloud
PlymSpotter From Spain, joined Jun 2004, 11136 posts, RR: 63 Reply 10, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 1562 times:
Quoting SA7700 (Reply 9): At this stage it seems like a minefield on the net to find out what the current standards are for bringing medication into the UAE. I can’t seem to find the list that was always available. It seems as if a prescription from my treating doctor in South Africa will suffice in Qatar….
There is an in-house pharmacy/medical center at DOH, with English speaking doctors and nurses on hand 24/7. Just a thought that it might be possible to get a contact number/email address for them and get their opinion on it. On that point they really are excellent, half way through my trip with QR I began to get a cold which really blocked my head and ears but I couldn't find any tablets to take in the shops. The medical center had a quick look at me and then gave me some tablets for free - I was quite prepared to pay but they said no charge.
My only disappointment on QR was the A319-100LR as it had no IFE and my seat was broken, but I believe they have now been fully refitted with IFE. The 777-200LR I flew DOH-GRU-EZE and return was amazing - great crew, great seat, great food - all top notch. You would think after 17 hours sitting on an aircraft I'd be itching to get off, but I really didn't have that feeling.
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