CHRISBA777ER From UK - England, joined Mar 2001, 5964 posts, RR: 63 Posted (2 years 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 8824 times:
I took a really long flight about fourteen months ago with work that was essentially SIN-DOH-IAH-YYC-YVR with a three day stop in Houston on the way out, and all four flights back to back on the way back. Hardcore - especially in Y!!
SIN-DOH
Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER
A7-BAC
7hr 50 mins.
I didnt take many photos on the SIN-DOH leg as the flight was very full and departed very late at night. I can tell you it was a little under eight hours flying time, that the aircraft had just arrived from DPS, and that it was one of the newest 77Ws in the QR flight. It rushed by in something of a blur as i slept for most of it, and not intending to do a trip report, I decided not to take any photos.
I landed in DOH with the dawn and stopped at the remote stands on the other side of the runway. We bussed to the terminal as is normal for DOH, and then i and sat around for a couple of hours in the C class lounge (paid for access) until the IAH flight was called. It was interesting to note the extra security measures QR put in place for the IAH flights. It was very tight indeed and EVERYONE was searched very thoroughly. Bags were emptied and laptops opened etc, but I was in a good mood and didnt mind at all. Load for the flight was very light, and I was pleased about that.
We got the bus transfer just as the heat was getting really major - climbed the stairs and took a moment to take in the vastness and power of the 77L - this would be my first trip on one.
And what a trip - with a block time that day of well over 17 hours, this was at the time, and still is, the longest flight I've ever taken. I settled into the last seats right at the very back and was chuffed to bits to find that I had the entire three seats to myself. In fact i had the whole row - the load was very light indeed. Cabin crew were a mix of Asian, Arabic and European - a lovely redhead called Gemma (from Brighton) was in charge of my section and she looked after me all flight. Hot towels were given out and baggage stowed in easy reach - this was exciting stuff. Amenity kits were given out. I put on my fetching new maroon flight socks.
Takeoff was a noisy, rattly but powerful affair, and we were afforded lovely views of the reclamation work going on offshore Doha, and climb was smooth as anything. It was only quite early in the morning but already i was keen for a drink. I asked Gemma for a Jack Daniels. She politely informed me that they only had Johnnie Walker Red Label. Gutted.
(see my signature!)
Anyway - the crew did a breakfast run I think but the whiskey knocked me out and I slept pretty much until Poland or so, at which point i wok energised and began taking photos.
Cabin shot - load in Y was about 30% tops.
Inflight - showing wingtip.
Glass of Merlot! (or is it JW & coke?)
Dinner. Beef in a sumac sauce with vegetables as I recall - with salad, crackers, cheese and a yummy dessert. Very tasty actually.
Dinner closeup. Was nicer than it looked!
IFE and controller (very large) with one of about nine beers that came and went that flight
Some good classic Premiership games loaded onto the IFE - enjoyed this one! Come on you Blues! The IFE on QR is really impressive. Not as good as EK's latest ICE or the newest KrisWorld but not very far off, and in some respects the programming i thought was actually better. Especially the football. They also had every single one of the bond films loaded on there - cool huh?
The obligatory window shot.
In flight vid:
Lovely scenery!
Just about to cross the Irish Sea, FL380.
Irish Sea - DL763 in "wavy gravy" about to join us at FL36, probably ex-MAN or LGW i'd have thought.
Northern Canada after I had another couple of hours sleep.
Southern shore of Lake Michigan I think - this is Cleveland I think? Detroit in the far distance? Flight was getting really looooong by this point. I'd had enough of whiskey and beer and sleeping and was hot and clammy and just wanted a shower.
Had a really nice cajun chicken sandwich and cake thing (I think) over Toronto (again - it was a long time ago) which was really yummy.
Bumpy descent into IAH.
Landing vid:
On the ground at George Bush International - EK 77L visible on the opposite stand.
17 hours is a bloody long time but I'm so glad I didnt have anyone sitting next to me and could stretch out. QR were excellent as always but the service (Gemma aside, who was lovely) lacked warmth, and a few more water runs would have been nice.
Part Two To Follow Shortly.
[Edited 2011-05-06 07:34:05]
[Edited 2011-05-06 07:40:10]
What do you mean you dont have any bourbon? Do you know how far it is to Houston? What kind of airline is this???
ba319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8264 posts, RR: 56 Reply 3, posted (2 years 2 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 7030 times:
Nice report, thanks for sharing.
Quoting CHRISBA777ER (Thread starter): They also had every single one of the bond films loaded on there - cool huh?
- Now that is a cool thing!
Quoting CHRISBA777ER (Thread starter): 17 hours is a bloody long time but I'm so glad I didnt have anyone sitting next to me and could stretch out
- Long indeed, my longest is about 15 and a half hours on an EY 345, thankfully the load was light so I too have a free seat next to me.
The problem with these ULH flights for me is when the tedium sets in, I love flying, taking in the scenery, food and drink etc but after a point you just want to get there!
QR are a pretty decent airline though I find the ground staff are rather rude and aloof.
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24924 posts, RR: 60 Reply 4, posted (2 years 2 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 6525 times:
Hi nice report I have not flown QR but this will change soon , a very good friend of mine is now QR crew and I aim to take a flight they are operating.
Thanks for the nice read and pics.
OA260
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
flightsimboy From Canada, joined Sep 2005, 849 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (2 years 2 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 5496 times:
Nice to see a trip report on QR!!
Quoting CHRISBA777ER (Thread starter): And what a trip - with a block time that day of well over 17 hours, this was at the time, and still is, the longest flight I've ever taken.
Wow, 17 hours, that is impressive!!!
Quoting CHRISBA777ER (Thread starter): Not as good as EK's latest ICE or the newest KrisWorld but not very far off, and in some respects the programming i thought was actually better. Especially the football. They also had every single one of the bond films loaded on there - cool huh?
Better to have a little than a lot, and not know what to do
abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4918 posts, RR: 55 Reply 7, posted (2 years 2 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 5406 times:
Quoting CHRISBA777ER (Thread starter): I took a really long flight about fourteen months ago with work that was essentially SIN-DOH-IAH-YYC-YVR with a three day stop in Houston on the way out, and all four flights back to back on the way back. Hardcore - especially in Y!!
= You work in Oil & Gas ?
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 3): QR are a pretty decent airline though I find the ground staff are rather rude and aloof.
= Spot on!
Thanks for the report on QR. Look forward to the next installment.
Sort of. I run a multinational company that specialises in business analysis and information across the shipping, aviation, energy and commodity sectors. Houston was for a conference, but we have an office in Vancouver so I went to spend a couple of days there.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 6): Quoting CHRISBA777ER (Thread starter):
And what a trip - with a block time that day of well over 17 hours, this was at the time, and still is, the longest flight I've ever taken.
Wow, 17 hours, that is impressive!!!
Scheduled time was 15 hrs 50 mins but we were delayed on the ground in Doha for a little while, had some weather en route and then had a 25 minute hold at IAH because of a thunderstorm IIRC.
Was very, very long flight - especially after doing almost eight hours SIN-DOH just a couple of hours before. I'd call 8 hours a long-ish flight on its own!!!
What do you mean you dont have any bourbon? Do you know how far it is to Houston? What kind of airline is this???
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From UK - England, joined Mar 2001, 5964 posts, 
From Norway, joined Jan 2007, 2698 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8264 posts, 
From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24924 posts, 
From Canada, joined Sep 2005, 849 posts, 
From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4918 posts, 
Sort of. I run a multinational company that specialises in business analysis and information across the shipping, aviation, energy and commodity sectors. Houston was for a conference, but we have an office in Vancouver so I went to spend a couple of days there. 
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