Flying Qatar Airways

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#2274147 10-Jul-2019 15:58

Our flight last year had 3-4-3 config and I didn't find it bad. I'm 6"3 and go for window seats for arm room. If everyone running 777's is going 3-4-3 and your looking for comfort who would you recommend?

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#2274148 10-Jul-2019 16:02

Beccara:
Our flight last year had 3-4-3 config and I didn't find it bad. I'm 6"3 and go for window seats for arm room. If everyone running 777's is going 3-4-3 and your looking for comfort who would you recommend?

Singapore and Emirates both run a380s out of Auckland. I haven't used Singapore but Emirates a380 is still pretty good ( I'm doing the 17 hour flight back to Dubai in August).

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#2274656 11-Jul-2019 15:08

Not all Singapore flights are A380 as they use that aircraft seasonally. However when it's not a 380, I understand they swap for 777s with the old 3-3-3 config.

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#2274928 12-Jul-2019 02:48

Qatar only fly the 772LR on the Auckland - Doha route. It is being converted from 3-3-3 layout to 3-4-3 layout in economy. But if your loads are light you'll end up with rows to yourself anyway.

Check the departure time the day prior. They load their flights then have to make adjustments for daylight saving and when they load their schedules so it may vary by an hour or so from the original flight time.

In terms of service they're top notch even in economy. You should get an amenity kit as well. Due to the timing of departure the flight is fine despite being long. Currently I wouldn't worry about the flight path with the US/Iran conflict although of course keep an eye on events. Unfortunately due to the blockade by other gulf countries Qatar don't really have any room to change their flight path.

I think majority of the 772LRs have wifi which seemed ok but I don't know if they all have the super wifi or if some have the old On Air wifi. It's not available over India. It dropped out very infrequently. Super wifi is a bargain USD10 for entire flight and faster.

Transfer security is super easy. Ditch any water leftover in water bottles in the toilets or fountains and refill from water fountains on the other side prior to flight.

You're likely to arrive into the D/E gate area from Auckland. The big teddy bear is down the ABC gates area down the other end of the airport so can walk, take the travelator or the small train. Your A380 aircraft will depart from down there.

There's free wifi under 2 networks. Use the complimentary one for Hamad International Airport. You don't have to enter your ticket details which is a hassle. Otherwise Vodafone have added Qatar to roaming so it's only $7/day. You can download the airport app and tag your flight for updates. Save you stopping to look at the screens which everyone else is doing too.

I'd probably explore the airport and eat in the terminal instead of heading for a pay-per-use lounge for a brief layover. There is a priority pass lounge if you have that. There are play areas for kids, internet etc. Manicure/pedicure is a good way to spend time. Not sure about prices.

The gym / pool area sounds great but I think you have to take your own swimwear so have it in your carry on and a dry bag for afterwards unless you want to use a hairdryer to dry it out. I haven't been into the Oryx and Al Maha lounges but I wouldn't expect too much. To be honest I thought the 'eat street/market' type area was nice enough to pass for a lounge to eat in. There are other places to eat and you don't feel crowded either.

There are separate snooze/quiet areas but they can get cold. Men and women separate. S-shaped chairs not adjustable in different arms of the terminal.

Duty free is expensive.

Beware they close boarding 20mins prior to departure rather than the 10 mins down under. I tend to show up early at airports I'm not familiar with. Don't be surprised if you end up with a bus gate for the return Doha - Auckland leg.

A380 has the old Onair Wifi with different pricing and speed. Not as good as the super wifi. Comfort wise the aircraft is fine. If it's the day flight you won't get an amenity kit. Should leave from down the ABC gate area.

You should fly through Heathrow T4 arrivals now NZ passports are allowed. But you still have to wait for your bags anyway. For London departure I think they're moving towards kiosk check-in later in the year but otherwise turn up early and expect a queue.

I think the return leg is harder because you've already had a 6hr flight or so, and then you're taking the 17hr back. Seemed to have better loads on the return leg unfortunately.

If you have time to get out into Doha you should. No visa required for New Zealanders. You can use roaming to order Uber/Careem?. Their driving leaves a bit to be desired but it's fine. Nothing like India or Vietnam. You won't feel unsafe, just unfamiliar, but it's safer than NZ. Most of the people you'll meet will be foreigners doing the customer service jobs. Depends on what time of day you get in I guess.

Enjoy.

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#2275283 12-Jul-2019 13:52

Wow, lots of useful info there, thanks @chatterbox

chatterbox:

Qatar only fly the 772LR on the Auckland - Doha route. It is being converted from 3-3-3 layout to 3-4-3 layout in economy. But if your loads are light you'll end up with rows to yourself anyway.

The itinerary paperwork I've got says flight QR0921 Auckland to Doha is on a Boeing 777-200LR, as does their website when I look up that flight for August 1st. Maybe they're in the process of changing?

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#2275336 12-Jul-2019 14:18

772LR = 777-200LR. It's the only aircraft they fly on this route so it's always going to be a 777-200LR.

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#2275379 12-Jul-2019 14:48

KiwiSurfer:

772LR = 777-200LR. It's the only aircraft they fly on this route so it's always going to be a 777-200LR.

Ah, gotcha! Not exactly intuitive...

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#2370525 8-Dec-2019 14:36

Hi all

We are also looking using Qatar to get from NZ to Barcelona (via Doha) in late Jan

1. Did anyone stopover for more than 1 night at Doha and take advantage the Qatar stopover programme? (allows low cost accommodation i.e. standard or superior room at really low cost for 1-4 night but cannot be upgraded

2. From what I can tell Qatar 'super Wi-Fi' if in economy is only available as of Sept gone in Airbus A350-1000 and some Airbus A350-900 and some 777s

It appears one has to go out via Australia to get Airbus A350-1000?

xlinknz

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#2371408 9-Dec-2019 22:04

bump

Anyhow know if all 777-200LR out of AKL now have Super Wifi?

chatterbox

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#2371986 10-Dec-2019 19:31

All of the 777-200LRs look to have Wifi. I haven’t seen a list of aircraft with super Wifi but I think those on the Auckland to Doha route have super Wifi. It’s cheap and good.

I haven’t used the stopover programme but have stopped over. Remember Fri Sat is their weekend. It’s safe. I will aim to stopover again next year but aiming to do certain activities in the evening or early morning.

freitasm

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#2372018 10-Dec-2019 21:02

Paging @nate for any additional information...

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#2372026 10-Dec-2019 21:21

Fly business, it's brilliant.

I flew Paris-Doha-Sydney last month, brilliant. There's a bar at the back of the A380 (business class is upstairs), many fun times had by me and my business partner.

Paris lounge is incredible.

xlinknz

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#2372174 11-Dec-2019 08:08

chatterbox: All of the 777-200LRs look to have Wifi. I haven’t seen a list of aircraft with super Wifi but I think those on the Auckland to Doha route have super Wifi. It’s cheap and good.

I haven’t used the stopover programme but have stopped over. Remember Fri Sat is their weekend. It’s safe. I will aim to stopover again next year but aiming to do certain activities in the evening or early morning.

Indeed this article dated Sept is the most informative

https://www.executivetraveller.com/your-complete-guide-to-qatar-airways-inflight-wifi

I contacted Qatar Contact Centre yesterday who advised Super-WiFi rollout for the 777s is on going and there is no way to know in advance whether ones flight will have it 😞

It seems to be guaranteed Super Wi-Fi on Qatar I'll need to get a 359-1000 which only from Australia

Our alternative is Air NZ or Singapore Air but my understanding is Air NZ don't have Wi-Fi on the 787s yet and on Singapore airlines its expensive?

eracode

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#2372186 11-Dec-2019 09:00

xlinknz:

chatterbox: All of the 777-200LRs look to have Wifi. I haven’t seen a list of aircraft with super Wifi but I think those on the Auckland to Doha route have super Wifi. It’s cheap and good.

I haven’t used the stopover programme but have stopped over. Remember Fri Sat is their weekend. It’s safe. I will aim to stopover again next year but aiming to do certain activities in the evening or early morning.

Indeed this article dated Sept is the most informative

https://www.executivetraveller.com/your-complete-guide-to-qatar-airways-inflight-wifi

I contacted Qatar Contact Centre yesterday who advised Super-WiFi rollout for the 777s is on going and there is no way to know in advance whether ones flight will have it 😞

It seems to be guaranteed Super Wi-Fi on Qatar I'll need to get a 359-1000 which only from Australia

Our alternative is Air NZ or Singapore Air but my understanding is Air NZ don't have Wi-Fi on the 787s yet and on Singapore airlines its expensive?

Surely you’re not seriously thinking of going via Sydney just so that you can get on an aircraft with WiFi?

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

dt

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#2372312 11-Dec-2019 11:04

we flew qatar airlines and got an upgrade to qsuite and its ruined me for long distance travel, it feels like I'll never want to compromise on not using it ever again 🤣

Cant fault anything with the airline, they're great

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