Ojas From India, joined Mar 2008, 2785 posts, RR: 23 Posted (4 years 2 months 1 week 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 16708 times:
Sorry for the delay to post my second part of the TR, was too preoccupied. Continuing from my previous trip report here is part 2 of the Back to USA trip
QR 083 DOH - JFK 13th Jan 0820 1500 B77W
B6 825 JFK - MCO 13th Jan 1830 2140 E175
First Leg of the journey: Doha - New York JFK
Flight no.: QR 083
Aircraft Type: Boeing 777-3DZ/ER
Aircraft Registration: A7 - BAB ( 3rd time on this aircraft)
I reahced the airport at around 6am in the morning, had to leave home at 0445 hrs. There were some late morning flights that were checking-in at that time. There was a queue for the baggage screening and could make out a lot of people traveling to KTM. I went ahead straight to the QR's USA check-in counters. A pre-check of documents, check-in took no more than 5 minutes. I had at least around 40 passengers boarding from DOH to JFK. After a good bye to my parents I headed towards the immigration and security and it was already
0645 hrs and boarding announcements were already being made. A long line was formed and also passengers yet to arrive on some of the Indian sub continent flights. The airport was sparsely crowded at that point and before it could build up it was time to board our flight.
We were bussed to the flight and yet again i was boarding A7-BAB, third time on this aircraft.
We were greeted by a nice FA and shown our seats. I thought 17B was a good seat as this row was in a 2-3-2 configuration and also for long haul flights I prefer an aisle seat. Boarding process was over and soon we were distributed sweets and amenity kits. We pushed back and we taxiied to take off from RWY 34. For the first time ever at DOH I ever witnessed a queue for take off and by 0900 hrs almost we were airborne.
Breakfast was on the list first and there were 3 options Indian veg, Omlette and Pancakes. Meal service was done and then it was time to navigate through the IFE. I must say even though I made a trip IAD - DOH hardly few weeks ago the IFE was updated during that span and there were some different movies on offer as well. If you guys know I departed India from AMD so I did not get a chance to have a preview of the IFE like how it happens when traveling BOM - DOH on a B77W. Drinks services were coming frequently, FAs attending call buttons at an average of 15 seconds. There were snacks kept in the galley; sandwich, dorritos and packed fruits. Drinks, food were plentiful throughout the flight.
I must have slept for around 6 hours and was woken up for the next meal service. This was again a very tasty meal. Here are some pictures
At around 1325 hours we began our initial descent into JFK, we must have circled NY once and then made a really nice cross wind landing, we felt that bump. My first time into JFK, and I just could not stop looking around at the various aircrafts at the tarmac.
We disembarked at JFK and at the end of the aerobridge our passports were being checked. I found JFK a very very good airport, unlike IAD they had a very good queue management system which ensured that Us citizens and Non US citizens had separate set of counters. For me it took no more than 5 minutes with a very pleasant officer. JFK is way way ahead of IAD ( where I had a terrible experience at the immigration). The airport was very clean looked fresh and new.
Ratings:-
A/C : 10/10
Crew: 9/10
Food:9/10
IFE: 9/10
Boarding & ground Formalities: 7/10
Overall: 9/10
Verdict:-
Three US - DOH flights and the level of consistency was there for me at least. The place where QR disappoints me is mostly with the ground staff. But off lately they seem to get things on the right track as well. Overall I like the airline, and it is a very convinient option for me.
Second Leg of the journey: New York JFK - Orlando
Flight no.: B6 825
After exiting terminal 4 I had to go to Terminal 8 for the Jetblue flight. I took the airtrain to terminal 8 and checked-in for my Jetblue flight to MCO. Terminal 8 at JFK was even fantastic, too good. I got a receipt from Jetblue saying this was my boarding card. Went through the TSA security check and I was chosen for additional scanning this time ("SSSS"). It wasn't all that different just and additional check of hand bags etc.
There was a huge area where everyone could sit and get connected to the Wifi, and I too joined them. By 1800 hrs I decided to sit near the gate. Once at gate 18 I got the good news that the flight was delayed by 30 mins which subsequently went on to and hour and 15 minute delay. I was so dead tired I just was waiting when I reach home at Daytona Beach. In the mean time I called the shuttle for Orlando - daytona and
reserved a seat.
Loads: Had only 4 seats in total empty in the flight
I apologise I could not take much pictures beyond this as I was too exhausted by then. Have you ever wondered what it feels like when say 2 random people in a flight stand up and say "We are the FAs of this flight"? Well with Jetblue it was almost like that, the good thing is they had a badge with them so on a close look we could distinguish between a FA and a passenger.
We pushed back and the two random gentlemen one was 25ish years old and one was 45ish years old, began demonstrating the safety procedures. Soon we were airborne, as I had the next seat to myself I slept throughout the flight and was woken up when were at short finals at MCO.
We landed at 2245 hours and docked the gate at 2300 hours. The airport was almost shut down at this hour, and I hurried claimed my bags and caught my shuttle to Daytona beach.
Ratings:-
A/C : 9/10
Crew: 6/10
Food:NA ( I even dont know what was on offer)
IFE: none
Boarding & ground Formalities: 6/10
Overall: 7/10
Verdict:-
Since I was asleep throughout the flight I'm not in a position to comment about anything, though I feel there is nothing much to write about if you are taking a flight in the USA and that if everything is on track. I got a good price on this flight and that was the only plus point.
MHTripple7 From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 1050 posts, RR: 5 Reply 1, posted (4 years 2 months 1 week 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 16462 times:
Very nice TR. I have been wondering about QR's DOH-JFK service and it's good to see it has good loads, at least on your flight. Just a small correction: B6 operates out of Terminal 5 at JFK, not Terminal 8. AA operates out of T8. Thanks for sharing.
B747forever From United States of America, joined exactly 6 years ago today! , 16574 posts, RR: 11 Reply 3, posted (4 years 2 months 1 week 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 15357 times:
Richierich From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 4022 posts, RR: 6 Reply 8, posted (4 years 1 month 4 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 13601 times:
Good TR, thanks for sharing!
I always like hearing what visitors to the USA think of our various airports, especially one like JFK. Personally I consider it an organized mess but it has come a long way from where it was just a decade or two ago! Terminal 5 at JFK is solely for JetBlue and it only opening in October.
One question I have - you said JetBlue had no IFE. Why was this? Was it not working? I thought all of their aircraft had satellite tv and radio, ammenities that are only offered on a selection of airlines worldwide. I know you were tired and I can appreciate that, but just wondering what was going on in respects to an important aspect of JetBlue's in-flight experience.
As for the random people dressed up as FAs, obviously you'd be shocked at the hokey level of service offered by Southwest then! They make Jetblue's flight attendants seem very upright, cold and stiff by comparison! I think a lot of this can also be explained by the difference in attitude - the US (especially LCCs) airline scene has changed considerably and the relaxed laid-back persona of FAs is apparently preferred in this country.
Carlisle From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 271 posts, RR: 5 Reply 9, posted (4 years 1 month 4 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 13171 times:
Quoting Ojas (Thread starter): and there were 3 options Indian veg, Omlette and Pancakes
mmmMMMmmMmMmmm.. PANCAKES!
Very nice TR and photos. By the looks of your decent photos it looks as if you came in through Canarsie down into 13L. Also very nice photo of the Verrazano-Narrows bridge.
Quoting Richierich (Reply 8): One question I have - you said JetBlue had no IFE. Why was this?
I did not see th screens drop down till I was awake, and the audio wasn't working as they had some issues with it.
Quoting Richierich (Reply 8): As for the random people dressed up as FAs, obviously you'd be shocked at the hokey level of service offered by Southwest then! They make Jetblue's flight attendants seem very upright, cold and stiff by comparison! I think a lot of this can also be explained by the difference in attitude - the US (especially LCCs) airline scene has changed considerably and the relaxed laid-back persona of FAs is apparently preferred in this country.
Well I was more keen on seeing FA's with uniforms and somehow identical to each other. This wasn't like that hence my comment. I mean maybe its conventional but I'm used to seeing that. Of course heard a lot about Southwest and their work culture, I would definitely want to experience that as well.
Thanks for your review.
A lion does not concern himself with the opinions of the sheep
A340Crew From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 261 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (4 years 1 month 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 12447 times:
Why were they checking the passports on the jetway when you arrived at JFK? I have flown thru JFK several times and never experienced that.
Quoting Richierich (Reply 8): you said JetBlue had no IFE. Why was this?
There were IFE screens, my bad. As I said I was too exhausted by then.
Quoting A340Crew (Reply 12): Why were they checking the passports on the jetway when you arrived at JFK? I have flown thru JFK several times and never experienced that.
No idea, was my first time there.
A lion does not concern himself with the opinions of the sheep
Sq_ek_freak From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2000, 1583 posts, RR: 21 Reply 14, posted (4 years 1 month 3 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 12185 times:
Great report as usual Ojas, keep them coming, I do enjoy your QR reports to and from the USA. That said, give us a try at Emirates, we'll make you a convert
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 11): Sounds good. However, the meals could be better presented - and all the items look quite cramped on the small tray
I agree, that's my main gripe with QR - everything seems top notch, but catering presentation can definitely be improved. I don't understand why both meals are presented in the smaller tray, galley space can't be such an issue that they have to plate both meals on the smaller trays? Plus I think the main disposable casserole dish cheapens the look.
Quoting A340Crew (Reply 12): Why were they checking the passports on the jetway when you arrived at JFK? I have flown thru JFK several times and never experienced that.
We get that every now and then on our EK flights to JFK as well, they are usually looking for a certain passenger(s) to do extra checks through immigration and customs. We had this happen to a UM once, and what a mess did it create! Our poor ground staff had to deal with that, even though he had all the documentation in order...
Again, great report, and great to see service levels being maintained on Qatar!
Ojas From India, joined Mar 2008, 2785 posts, RR: 23 Reply 15, posted (4 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 12098 times:
Quoting Sq_ek_freak (Reply 14): Great report as usual Ojas, keep them coming, I do enjoy your QR reports to and from the USA. That said, give us a try at Emirates, we'll make you a convert
Thank you very much; for your comments and your invitation to EK. I have made 7 trips on EK , all of them DOH-DXB and DXB-BOM. As I mentioned earlier, my parents stay in Doha and my native place is India. So QR is the convenient option for me, but yes I will fly EK to fly the A380s, hope to see you on that flight .
A lion does not concern himself with the opinions of the sheep
B6JFKH81 From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 2767 posts, RR: 7 Reply 16, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 11580 times:
Quoting Ojas (Thread starter): Food:NA ( I even dont know what was on offer)
For standard NY-FL flights, the norm is unlimited snacks including chips, nuts, cookies, etc. and unlimited regular drinks (water, soda, coffee), b.o.b. alcoholic drinks and specialty drinks (Rock Star drink).
"If you do not learn from history, you are doomed to repeat it"
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