TRAVELLING
QATAR AIRWAYS IS AN UNENDING PLEASURE
I
am connected to the Wi-Fi on Qatar Airways Flight QR 777 from Doha to Miami. It
is an Airbus 350 and I managed to obtain my favourite seat, 1 K
Yesterday
I flew into Doha from Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv to Amman was on Royal Jordanian and
Amman to Doha was on Qatar Airways.
I
truly look forward to my QR flights. It is not just the flight alone, the
competent pilots and brand new aircrafts but to me, it is the people who make
my expectations about QR a reality.
Even
though the flight from Amman to Doha was a short one, about the same time as
Miami to New York, a full course meal with champagne and wine and other offerings
from the bar. The aircraft was also an Airbus 350 and I was in seat 1 A
enjoying fully my privacy.
The
Senior Cabin Crew, another term for Purser? Of the flight was Miss K from
Phuket. The service that was to follow
in that flight and on this one to Miami was nothing short of exemplary.
I
remember reading a book by Alexander Frater, The Blue Skies about the London to
Australia service of the British Airways (at that time called the Imperial
airways). Each night the plane would land and a tent would be set up and people
would dress for the dinner offered! It was the prime of long distance travel.
British
Airways and their buddies Iberia and American Airlines seem to have forgotten
this legacy. On a recent flight from Miami to Barcelona on American Airlines
AA, I noticed that within one hour of reaching cruising altitude the crew had
served the meals and disappeared for the rest of the flight. These Grandmas, as
an eminent CEO had called them, are not suited for this rigorous job of looking
after pleasant as well as cranky passengers over long distances.
Miss
K was at hand throughout the flight and personally brought me the fish snapper
dish as well as Champagne I had requested. She deserves a Qatar Star!
The
arrival was seamless, immigration was taken care at the special lounge for
arriving Business class travellers (in addition to the arrival lounge as well).
The
infrastructure for travellers to Qatar is very good. Taxis to the central area
cost 20$ and Uber around $10.
I
stayed at the Marriott Marquis and I have written about the hospitality they
offer in another blog. I repeated the journey back to the Airport this morning.
The
separate check in facility for Business Class passengers is not just a counter
or two but a whole section.
In
Qatar, there is a diversity of workers from all the continents. Indian accents
are the most common followed by Filipino way of speaking English by people who
have Spanish names but don’t speak Spanish. An Indian lady issued my boarding
pass and within minutes I cleared security, once again a separate facility and
on to my favourite lounge in the entire world Al Mourjan.
It
was 6 30 AM
I
have to stagger my eating for the coming 24 hours I thought to myself.
On
one section there is a European buffet, I don’t even go near it, interesting to
watch that the Qataris were lining up there, as were East Indian travellers.
I
went to the Asian section: mee hoon, which I had not tasted in a while, paratta
with mushroom, raita and chana. A cup of Latte appeared soon after one of the
workers greeted me, I recognized him from one of the multiple previous visits.
7
15 am slowly meandered to the gate C2 close to the Lounge and the Ugandan
security people made the process easier with their broad smiles.
I
boarded immediately and at the door was welcomed by Ms. M who is Filipina but
grew up in Austria.
A
lady from Poland, Ms. Z welcomed me and Ms. C from Philippines came over with warm
towel and ginger-lime drink.
One
minute before the expected time of departure of 8 am, we left the gate with the
Spanish Female Captain comforting us with the prognostication that a pleasant
flight is to be expected.
I
joined the Wi-Fi, which costs 20 dollars for the entire journey of 15 hours and
soon connected with a companion from Vietnam, the time difference suitable for
slow, leisurely conversation, as the Wi-Fi sometimes fades away.
I
chose a simple breakfast of omelet and complemented it with Karak Cardomon
Chai. Before I knew it two hours had flown by.
Both
Ms. M and Ms. C spent time chatting with me in between begging me to have more
food or drinks but I wanted to limit my intake. But Pommery Champagne was not
included in the limited items!
Ms.
M has been with QR for ten years and as is the case with all the Crew I have
interviewed, she loves her job and enjoys the interactions with the travellers.
Who
are the travellers in this section of QR?
I
am flying from Doha to Miami and in the front section there are about 20
people, a couple from India/Pakistan, a young Qatari? And the rest were
European Americans of a certain age. The passengers were a well-behaved crowd. I am into
the 12th hour of the flight; I can tell you I have not heard any
speaking voices above a whisper!
It
is a long flight and the Cabin Crew gets to rest as well, in incremented
fashion, 2 hours here and 2 hours there or 5 hours. They go away and reappear
looking chirpy bright and immaculate in their uniform and the hair in place.
I
appreciate the fact that QR uses the same uniform for all its employees in the
service sector, whether they are checking you in or greeting you at Al Mourjan
or on board.
The
flight 777 flew westwards
Iran
Iraq were all history beneath us, I woke up from a slumber to see Bulgaria
passing by and then on to Serbia, westward on to Spain and Lower France and on
to the great Atlantic Ocean.
There
was a threatening storm; the storm of the century, which fortunately decided to
keep itself quiet, and I can see that flights were going around the hurricane
Florence. I imagine we would fly to the
south of it.
Ms.
C would appear and another flute of champagne consumed. Then she went off to her rest and Miss A from
Nagoya took over. Because of my fascination with Japanese nutrition and
cultural habits we had things to talk about. She was full of Japanese
graciousness. Made me think of the intense cultural experiences in the back
roads of the main island of Japan some years earlier.
Long
silences, filled with reading and writing and yet another surprise! Ms. K whose
namesake hurricane destroyed Louisiana coast was exactly opposite, calm and
collected and soft-spoken, I waited for her to pour the last flute of
champagne.
I ask them, my stock question: How do you like working for QR? The
answer always is an enthusiastic YES! It is a great compliment to the CEO of
QR, HE Akbar Al Baker.
The
time now is 2000 in Doha exactly 12 hours after our take off.
In
one hour, I will request my repast (at Qatar Airways you can eat whatever you
want whenever you want)
Tiger
Prawn Salad with crunchy endive and red pepper mango salsa
Pan
Seared Cod on a potato puree
I
might try the dessert
Sticky
toffee and date pudding (served hot with butterscotch sauce)
I
already told Ms.A of Nagoya of my choices.
We
would be passing through the areas affected by Hurricane Florence now
downgraded to a Category 2, hope that does not interfere with the meal. There
is a Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough on offer; I think I will
stick to Champagne Pommery.
On
this trip from Amman to Miami via Doha on QR, I have gotten to know
Ms.
K from Phuket
Ms.
M PH from Austria
Ms.
C from Manila
Ms.
K from PH
Ms.
A from Nagoya
At
Marriott Marquis did make two new friends at the Executive Lounge, Mr. W as
well as Ms. L from PH.
As
a Cultural Anthropologist and a doctor with a Psychological orientation, I ask myself this question: Why do I look forward to my QR flights?
It
is definitely the pro-active service on board, not to mention the quality of
food and wine as well as the comfort of the aircraft. Al Mourjan is a definite
draw.
I
hold highest level of Frequent Flier Status on American Airlines (Executive
Platinum) as well as QR (Privilege Club Platinum) as well as Star Alliance
Gold. My next trip on QR would be (in six weeks)
Miami
to Doha with a deliberate long layover so that I can have a nice shower and a
sit down meal and renew acquaintances with some workers and then on to Cochin
for a two-day stay at the Bristow Bungalow Hotel facing the Arabian Sea. (I am
the Unofficial Cuban Ambassador to Fort Cochin!)
Then
on to Kuala Lumpur and unexpected pleasures.
Thank
you everyone at QR I have spoken to, for your generous and kind treatment of
this traveller. I will try to reciprocate your hospitality if ever you visit La
Habana, Cuba
