We boarded through the upper deck door, where we were greeted by the friendly crew. I made it clear right away that we’d like to take some pictures of the cabin if possible, so they stayed out of our way for a couple of minutes, as we had the cabin mostly to ourselves.
Continue reading: Review: Qatar Airways First Class A380 Doha to London Heathrow
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Great trip report as always! Love reading your works of art!
Any chance we could get the LHR-CLT trip report done? I have a confession, I was working US732 on the 11th October, albeit in Economy, but prior to landing in Charlotte and I did notice you in Business and almost screamed like a little girl! And isn't Mallorie brilliant?
@ Robert -- Hahaha, too funny -- no way! Mallorie was AWESOME. Wish you had said hi! I'll have that installment published tomorrow. 🙂
Hopefully our paths cross in the future!
excellent write up.
the letter must be an inaugural flight idea - they certainly weren't giving them out last week
the sink in the toilet, looks great and the "flat" water coming really adds to it, but last week, by the end of the flight, all the boxes of amenities were sitting in pools of water.
going LHR-DOH i was personally met and shown to my next destination gate, seems this is an A380 First thing.
the thing that struck me the most about the entire flight, was how quiet it was.
about the door covering, at 38000, i think i'd prefer it was covered, so that some drunk didn't start fiddling with the door, even though it would be impossible to open.
Great post! I've been waiting for this the past few weeks. I just think it's funny you stated "It might sound silly, but I should note that the seating feels really inviting and conducive to conversation, which I can’t really say about the bar on Emirates."
However, you didn't post a discreet photo of people engaging in conversation in those seats! Ok I had to say it given I was a former EK gold member and flew JFK-DXB several times and always had a great time at the business class bar meeting new people or simply hanging out with friends. Just rereading your post, I noticed you stated the cake was for the most part uneaten due to the lack of passengers going to the bar. :/
By the way, why did the pajamas run way big? Did the flight attendant ask for your size or did he/she guessed your size and just offered them to you?
@ Hugh -- Interesting you had an escort service on arrival. Unique that an airline seems to have special services exclusively for A380 passengers, even though it's priced the same as other aircraft.
@ Joey -- Hah, fair enough! I was asked for my size and said "L," which on some airlines is the right size, and on some airlines is way too big. In this case it was way too big, but I'd always prefer my pajamas too big rather than too small. Meanwhile on Emirates, even "M" is too large for me. Odd sizing!
off topic - but were you going to review the Emirates trip to Oslo you did a while back? Or did I miss?
Is one of your german friends svenblogt by any chance? He has an amazing blog, BTW.
Great review! The business class bar looks awesome. I agree that the bar seatings looks really inviting and not useless and cramped like on other airlines. It doesn't make you think "it's better if i go back to my cozy premium seat". I wonder why they put this beautiful lounges in the back of the plane and not between First and Business class!
Lucky, do you get riled up as I do when the guy in the safety video blows up his inflatable vest with such vigor?
Awesome report! I've been waiting for this one! LMAO That safety video guy was pretty easy on the eyes. Rawr.
That's my friend Isabelle Chu, fm Perth, with the A380 Polo shirt on. Indeed she's part of the 1st to fly group, so am I, but i only did the first 2 SQ inaugurals 7 yrs ago, to SYD & LHR. She's an ardent fan and hasn't missed any yet. BTW she was also on the SQ inaugurals nonstop SIN-LAX and SIN-EWR. I had another friend on your Qatar flight, but he was in 1st class, Gino Bertuccio. Shave bald guy. He to is an ardent fan and hasn't missed an A-380 inaugural. Small world.
Ben it seems the Krug was flowing free in the bar did you also partake in a hand full or two of warm nuts?
Loved they show a picture of the wine bottle on the menu. It is a small detail but sometimes it helps you when making your decision.
Thank you for a great report. Have been looking forward to this report or a while now, and was even more excited about reading it than watching the new Matthew Mcconaughey movie, Interstellar, so thanks for posting.
One question though. How about seat comfort? Compared to Emirates, Etihad & Cathay how did the Qatar seat rack up? Did you have a chance to quickly test it in bed mode? Would be interesting to know.
@ BHill -- The seat was really comfortable for lounging. It was spacious and well padded. The Emirates site is kind of confined, on the other hand.
The bed was also reasonably comfortable, but not amazing. The padding could have been a bit better.
Good review!! Does Qatar release award first class seats? Any idea Qatar's next A380 routes? JFK by any chance in 2015?
I fell to pieces when I read, "This guy’s hair isn’t compliant with Qatar Airways cabin crew grooming standards" I DON'T THINK. I'VE EVER. EVER. LAUGHED SO HARD IN MY LIFE. I wish it could be read by the most dramatic actor/actress Hollywood HAS to make it that much more hilarious.
Such a great review, too!
@ Ben -- So far they've only announced that they'll fly it to London, Paris, and Bangkok. New York was speculated in the past, though nothing has been confirmed. And they'd have to switch terminals at JFK to fly it there, since American's terminal isn't equipped to handle the A380.
Which do you think is more comfortable - the Quatar first seat or the Etihad first seat?
@ TravelinWilly -- I guess it depends how you define "more comfortable." All things consider I prefer the Etihad seat, I think, but just for lounging, the Qatar seat is awesome.
@ Lucky - did you ask Ms. Chu how many times she had to re-do t-shirts due to all the delays? 😉
Anyhow, great report. For such a short flight, J does seem like a way to go unless it's about the same price.
"This is hands down among the most impressive A380 business class seats (Qatar is the only airline so far to have reverse herringbone seats on the A380"
Even more than Singapore's?
"Did I mention they serve Krug?"
Ah, I remember the old days when Lucky's biggest concern was getting a slice of lemon instead of lime in his Diet Coke, and he wasn't so concerned with name-dropping what champagne he was drinking...I miss those days.
"do you get riled up as I do when the guy in the safety video blows up his inflatable vest with such vigor?"
Well, he did say he wasn't complaining...
"Was too busy double fisting drinks to have any nuts!"
...you did not just say that 😉
Did I miss it or are you yet to publish the trip reports of your YYZ-BRU-DOH flights ? Business class Jet Airways & Qatar Airways ?
Any idea when they'll get more deliveries and start flying these to HK and Shanghai?
The constant fixation on Krug to the point where it seems like it's the defining point of a flight really takes away from the authoritativeness of the review.
Hey Lucky!
i bet you wished your flight was a little bit longer this time....
Oh! & one more thing, you forgot to mention if they serve Krug on this flight 😉
Great Work (as usual)
Thanks
@ Ken Y. -- They only have a total of 10 on order. I wouldn't expect to see A380 service to either city in the next year, if at all.
4 holding loops is good. I did 7 last week upon arrival from Abu Dhabi. Added 55 minutes to the flight that was supposed to be early. We ended up 45 mins late. I don't think I've ever landed at LHR doing less than 2 loops.
DFW just recently finished renovations to allow service for the Emirates and Qantas A380s. Since Qatar already has daily long haul service to DFW from DOH, that seems like a natural route to be replaced with an A380. I'm hoping so, at least, since I'm planning a DFW-DOH-MLE trip for early/middle 2016.
@ Matt S. -- I'd be willing to bet almost anything that Qatar will not offer A380 service to Dallas.
Lucky,
No arguments there from me. Clearly, Dallas isn't as desirable as JFK or LAX, which would likely get A380 service first. A guy can hope though, right?
@ Matt S. -- That's true! While we're hoping, I'd like to throw Tampa into the race. 😀
Lucky,
What is the general timeline for airlines opening up first and business class award space on A380 routes? Do you anticipate Qatar opening up said awards on this route? Is it easier to find the award space further out or closer to the flight date for A380 routes? Is it possible to book an economy award and rebook if J or F opens?
Sorry for all the questions. I'm saving miles for a nice trip for my wife and me. If getting in at least J on this route is attainable, I'd love to experience an A380. However, I'd rather have a locked in J on another route than risk flying in economy. Thanks!
@ Matt S. -- It varies by airline, you can't make a generalization for all A380 operators. I do hope Qatar will eventually open up A380 first class award space, though they're not doing so as of yet. They do release some business class space, though, both in advance and close to departure.
I took the a380 doha to London on new years day. I was economy upstairs behind the bar. All i can say is it was exceptional. I use QA all the time but this flight left years of travel with QA standing. Service was sharp, attentive and more like a business class flight without the bed. Good work QA.
Why don't you ever try flying on Saudia? I would really enjoy a trip report because it's almost impossible to find!
Hi Ben,
If I understand correctly, F on A380 is not available to partners?
If that's the case, what would you do given the choice:
- F on A340
- J on A380
- J on A350
@ James -- It sometimes is available very close to departure, but it's quite rare (though not impossible). All else being equal I'd choose A 340 F > A380 J > A350 J.
Thank you for the prompt response!
This is for mid-November, so I'll probably lock in F for now, and maybe they'll change their stance on A380 availability before then.
I just noticed that 2 daily A380s to CDG are available to book, both close in, as well as November.
I might just do that and connect on a short BA flight to LHR.
fantastic pics. I have flown over 3 million miles in 20 years and really enjoy these pics and comments.
Its amazing . Over 40 years ago AA airlines used to fly a 747 from JFK-San Juan,P.R. with a piano
bar in the back of plane. Those were the days.
Lucky,
Is it worth flying First from ATL-DOH in your opinion?
And do you think they will actually put the 388 on that flight June 1, or sub it out to a 77L?
Thx!