In the middle of October 2023, Qatar Airways closed its most premium lounge temporarily. The timeline of it reopening was up in the air for some time, so there’s now a positive update, as flagged by YHBU.
In this post:
Qatar Airways first class lounge reopens late 2023
The Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge closed for maintenance on October 13, 2023. While it was initially stated that the closure would be through November 30, 2023, that reopening date was later removed. Fortunately there’s good news, as the lounge has reopened as of early December 2023. Guests aren’t noticing any significant changes, so the maintenance performed must have been non-cosmetic.
During that closure, eligible passengers were directed to either of the Al Mourjan Lounge locations, including the Al Mourjan Business Lounge South or the Al Mourjan Business Lounge North at The Garden.
As a reminder, the Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge is open to Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum members traveling in business class, as well as oneworld first class passengers. This includes those traveling in Qatar Airways’ long haul first class (on the Airbus A380 or Boeing 777), or those traveling in Qatar Airways’ short haul first class (which is how the airline markets the forward cabin on many regional flights).
How big of a deal was this for passengers?
How disappointing would it be to travel through Dona in first class and to not have access to the Al Safwa First Lounge? Fortunately Qatar Airways has two Al Mourjan Business Lounges, so lounge crowding is less of an issue than in the past.
Aside from the general museum-like environment of the Al Safwa Lounge, there were three biggest losses without the lounge, as I see it:
- An extensive a la carte dining selection that’s restaurant quality; the Al Mourjan Lounges have menus as well, but they’re much more limited
- The Al Safwa Lounge has proper nap rooms that are almost similar to what you’d find in a hotel, and the Al Mourjan Lounges don’t have anything that’s nearly as comfortable
- It’s not my thing, personally, but the Al Safwa Lounge does have a jacuzzi that many people enjoy using
This was definitely a big loss for those with a long layover, given the lack of proper bedrooms in other lounges. However, otherwise I personally wouldn’t view this as a huge deal. Alcohol isn’t as differentiated between lounges as in the past, and personally I feel like Qatar Airways serves so much food onboard that I’m rarely hungry in the lounge. But that’s just me.
Bottom line
The Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha closed for maintenance from mid-October until early December 2023. During that time, those traveling through Doha in first class were sent to the Al Mourjan Lounges. Fortunately the Al Safwa Lounge is now open once again.
Were any OMAAT readers impacted by this Al Safwa Lounge closure?
I know it’s an honest mistake but it’s not Dona not Doha. It should have been spell checked. Good article!
Has it yet been clarified what Al Safwa's purpose will be, when physical First Class goes away?
Or with the new leadership, has that potentially been reversed, and QR will continue offering First (even in name-only for regional flights), even once the A380s and Cathay 777s are gone?
I'm traveling from Cairo to Doha to Islamabad later this month with the first flight marketed as First Class, and the second leg in Business (first isn't offered). I have a 11 hour transit in DOH, would I be able to get access to the Al Safwa Lounge for free (since I just came off of a flight in First Class and I am flying in the highest class of service on the next flight)?
@ JB -- Yep, enjoy!
I'm so glad I found this out. I was due to fly with Qatar at the beginning of November and had deliberately planned a 14 hour layover, primarily to enjoy the Al Safwa lounge. I have now cancelled my flight and am flying with Etihad instead, having secured a paid upgrade to the Residence - this will be a first for me. So thank you again Ben for this heads-up!
In essence, yes... if you meet the complex reqiurments to access Alsafwa, then yes it is annoying/sad whatever you want to call it, that during that time peroid, you wountbe able avial what you are entitled for and hadn hotten used used to.
Yet, these things happen and I wount be surprised if QR updated the alsafwa to be even better, but frankly weather or not you are QR fan.. the fact of the...
In essence, yes... if you meet the complex reqiurments to access Alsafwa, then yes it is annoying/sad whatever you want to call it, that during that time peroid, you wountbe able avial what you are entitled for and hadn hotten used used to.
Yet, these things happen and I wount be surprised if QR updated the alsafwa to be even better, but frankly weather or not you are QR fan.. the fact of the matter is QR among extremly few airlines around the world caters to business class even better than most others who do for first class.
I have been fortunate to have access to all these lounges at doha and on my last trip I was hard pressed to remain in alsafwa because -for example- wanted to see an experience the new almourgan garden lounge.. which was excellent. So yes you wount get alsafwa for now but the alternative is better than the vast majority around the world.
Furthermore I wouldn't be surprised if somehow QR does something a bit more entrucate (like sealing off parts of the mourjan lounge and offering more in it) spacifically to cater and remind those who couldn't go to alsafwa during this time.
Someone needs to learn to proof-read.
…whereas you need to learn how to spell “proofread”.
Can F class pax booked during this time be accommodated by getting complimentary use of the Louis Vuitton lounge and Dior Spa as an alternative? These services are added expenses for J pax, maybe that's a fair trade off?
If you've paid (in advance) for Al Safwa access, will QR refund/credit?
It never ceases to amaze me how people think and how entitled they feel! It’s a lounge that happens to offer nap rooms (for a proportion and not all lounge users as there are not enough rooms to cater for everyone)! It’s a nice perk, of course. But they’re offering alternative lounge arrangements which are better than most lounges around the world. Yet, people still ask about compensation, or about being put up in a...
It never ceases to amaze me how people think and how entitled they feel! It’s a lounge that happens to offer nap rooms (for a proportion and not all lounge users as there are not enough rooms to cater for everyone)! It’s a nice perk, of course. But they’re offering alternative lounge arrangements which are better than most lounges around the world. Yet, people still ask about compensation, or about being put up in a hotel…
And yes, I too will be missing out as I am due to travel through at the end of November!…
A downgrade from first class to the business class lounge isn't aligned with the premium experience that first-class passengers anticipate. It's not about entitlement; rather, it's about the reasonable expectation that when you've paid a premium for first-class service, you should receive exactly that. Expressing disappointment in such situations is justified as they are simply re-directing FIRST class passengers into a BUSINESS class lounge.
two quick things:
In this sentence: "If you’re traveling through Doha, how disappointed should you be by the Al Mourjan First Lounge closure?" I think it should read "...Al Safwa First Lounge closure"
At the top of the article it says QR Platinum members have access to Al Safwa, but it doesn't state that it only applies if said Platinum member is flying in business class (paid or upgraded), just to be super clear.
So does it open on Nov 30 or Dec 1?
THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP!!
I liked the first class lounge the one time I went and found the breakfast there lovely. However when I got a room to sleep it is not particularly sound proof and they have a door to the service area in the hallway that slams shut (or they let it slam shut?). So it was very unpleasant. All in all, it was a mixed visit. Maybe they are fixing that door, ha!
Classic. Just as I had booked a trip to visit the lounge, it's closed. I wonder if they'll be offering any kind of compensation?
No way also Booked a F ticket thinking about to experience the lounge… when are u traveling.. ? let us know if you get a compensation.. my trip
Starts in 2 weeks.
I'll be traveling there around Thanksgiving week, please let me know if they offered any compensation! Definitely upset about the timing
The 4th photo looks familiar. I wish I would have spent more time in the lounge. I had a nice shower and downed 2 San Pellegrinos in a can on my stop over.
My Q Suites experience was a close 2nd to LH F and Emirates F. I would fly Q suites again out of those 3 but my next reward is likely AA J from DFW ICN or QF J from Dfw Mel...
The 4th photo looks familiar. I wish I would have spent more time in the lounge. I had a nice shower and downed 2 San Pellegrinos in a can on my stop over.
My Q Suites experience was a close 2nd to LH F and Emirates F. I would fly Q suites again out of those 3 but my next reward is likely AA J from DFW ICN or QF J from Dfw Mel (the 4 longest flight in the world )
The emirates F experience in Dubai and LH at Frankfurt are both lit. Qatar can compete with the best pound for point.
The food in the Al Safwa lounge may be more varied and better presented than in the Business Class lounges, but it is equally BAD, especially considering the much better quality of In-Flight food on QR. The high ceilings and the museum-like atmosphere are unique, but I'd rather see the lounge well maintained than eventually having to go into former great places which have become dumps, like the once beautiful Air India Maharadjah rooms in Bombay and Delhi.
I really liked that we were able to grab a quick meal there, short haul first doesn't have the time to provide meals, at least not on the flights we took to/from DMM. Fighting for a place in the business lounges wouldn't be too hard but we really felt pampered in our 45 min lounge visit
I would be furious if I had a F flight during this time. We did a 22 hour layover in February just to experience the lounge to its fullest and it was totally worth it. We consider Al Safwa our happy place.
your time must not be worth much to hang around in a lounge designed for a few hours layover and not as tourist spot
Well it was a 1 hour 50 minute layover or 22 hours. We found it definitely worth it for our one big trip a year. It was booked with points, so we wanted to maximize our first class experience. We find the flight and lounges part of our vacation.
NOT HAPPY ...
We will be there Mon 4 Oct for a long layover and then again on the way home Fri Nov 3 ... (with Friday Prayers we planned to stay in the airport and sleep in the lounge)
This is BAD news.. having taken advantage of the nap rooms (I call them bed rooms). I checked out the new Maj.. lounge last month and those nap rooms are USELESS...and much as the original...
NOT HAPPY ...
We will be there Mon 4 Oct for a long layover and then again on the way home Fri Nov 3 ... (with Friday Prayers we planned to stay in the airport and sleep in the lounge)
This is BAD news.. having taken advantage of the nap rooms (I call them bed rooms). I checked out the new Maj.. lounge last month and those nap rooms are USELESS...and much as the original Maj nap area is comfy it is loud..
Will QR not accommodate 1st class pax in the airport hotel ?????
The Maj has gone down hill
Not sure if it’s still the case but if there are no available bedrooms/nap rooms passengers were directed to the Oryx hotel within the terminal which was according to work colleagues a very welcome alternative.
NO! We are traveling through Doha and have a long layover in the middle of the night. Was really looking forward to using the nap room! Boo.
Those nap rooms sound great but I’ve been too late to nab one in the past… thankfully the lounge is set to reopen well in advance of my next visit!
Anyone know if the lounge has reopened??