ALONE in Qatar Airways' SECRET First Class
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ก.ค. 2024
- Qatar Airways has a first class product you won't find ANYWHERE on their publicity - for good reason! Superb ex-Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ERs are operating for Qatar from Doha to Male, Istanbul, Kuwait and also to Hong Kong. The Istanbul route is perfect to get a taste for this excellent and opulent regional first class product, costing me just 52,500 Avios to book - not bad for a one off splurge! I also got into the legendary Al-Safwa Lounge in Doha Hamad International, an experience not to be missed!
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0:00 Intro
0:55 Doha Airport and checkin
1:44 Al Safwa Lounge (Qatar Airways First Class)
3:44 Early Lunch at the Al Safwa Lounge
4:50 Boarding our 777-300ER privately, by first class bus!
6:57 First Class - just 6 seats
8:32 Taxi and takeoff
9:33 First Class seat 1A tour
11:13 Qatar Airways First Class food (caviar!)
12:56 More product observations - IFE, amenities
13:50 Toilet tour!
14:22 Descent, landing, conclusions and many thanks!
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Date of Travel: 21 SEP 2023
Airline: Qatar Airways
Livery: Qatar Airways plain white fuselage (leased a/c)
Route: DOH-IST
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Flight Number: QR 245
Miles: 1,714
Airborne time: 3h 42m
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"A particular highlight here is getting lunch" - I was convinced you were going to say leathered 😂
(I might have, if I wasn't trying to make a video!!)
Surpised I haven't seen comments about it yet, but I am very happy you have switched back to that old intro music from your earlier videos. Love your work, keep going!
Glad you like it! Thank you
@@Paul_Lucas Here's to hoping you come thru TPA one day, my home airport. It ain't much to write home about, but it's definitely been modernized in the last few years. Similar to MCO with it's peoplemover trams but nowhere near the size. Even a few nonstop route from LGW and LHR on BA and VA respectively. BA operates a 777 200ER and VA operates either their A330 or A350. Widebodies are a rare sight at TPA so it's great to see them here.
I used to love the original intro music from years back!
Spent a day as a 12 year old in Istanbul in the early 70's when my BOAC VC-10 flight from London to Karachi was delayed. They took us to a great hotel on the Black Sea and then let us kids wander around the next day by ourselves! A year later was delayed in Amman for 2 days and got a free sight seeing trip to Petra. Don't think they do that anymore 🙃
I love how the Cathay Pacific brand was still on the seat controls! What an incredible experience surely one of the best in aviation.
Hi paul, really to enjoy this video a lot for sharing ☺
😂 you should upload more!
It’s a very dark airline and when i heard stories of how many staff were detained or arrested in Qatar i will not fly them, and the reasons for, spying and various other tricks, quite disturbing.
What an insane experience....wow. Thanks for the great video once again, Paul! an absolute treat just watching it and doing a bit of dreaming myself:) also, I do love the white livery!
Istanbul. We were there in 2004. Fantastic place. Lovely people and food . Best time to be there is the last week of Ramadan when people form al over Turkey bring their special food to the streets around the blue mosque.
Great video Paul! What wonderful looking food and the cabin product looks pretty good too 😋 At least to this American who’s only ever flown Economy class and barely any international flights! 😂
Also at 0:49 I love that music is back for the title Intro part I remember when it was much more common to have that title on your old Paul’s Trip Report’s videos that said “Coming Up” and showed some pics and that WONDERFUL music was overlayed over all of the intro! I love it! 😃 Also at 5:50 Is that the Retro Qatar 777? 🇶🇦 WOW! 🤩
Finally as an OG subscriber of your having been subscribed for almost 8 years now if I counted right I recognize that former Cathay Pacific 🇭🇰 First Class seat from when you flew Cathay Pacific’s GORGEOUS 777-300ER in 2018 I believe it was B-LQR when you flew CP one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE videos of your EVER and I cannot wait to fly it someday! Also didn’t you fly *FROM HONG KONG TO JFK via Vancouver* I remember because of the EXQUISITE LOUNGES Cathay has in HKG I remember you commenting on their 2 FIRST CLASS LOUNGES in HKG… “The airy, brash Wing Lounge is complimented by The Pier which is a subdued and classy affair.” 🤣
Let me know *am I correct you left from HKG!*
Cheers 🥂 mate!
Caleb’s Aviation
Informative and enjoyable video. Loved the trivia. Was that turbulence or vodka hand shake? 😂
Wow. Amazing. This is now on my bucket list!
Great vlog as always! Keep up the good work!
Wow, this looks great, Paul and it’s a wonder you could manage a coherent sentence by the end 😜
I think my highlight was probably the first class bus! 😆
Excellent production! Really enjoyed it. Ahh, the spa treatment 😌
love Instanbul. Also love that flight path, did MAN to AUH earlier this year and spent 3 happy hours just staring out of the window looking at the scenery of East Turkey and Iran. Spectacular.
Great video and thanks for sharing - definitely on a bucket list that First Class Lounge
Love the vodka faces 😂
Great video as always. IST is actually marketed by QR as an intercontinental route rather than regional, so normally has Business available. On routes operated by the CX 777s, First is also sold. This is the same as selected flights to HKG, MLE and ZRH. The soft product is the same as the A380 routes.
Hi Paul
Bit late to the party with TH-cam comments but just to say I love your channel, content, useful tips. Been a fan for ages 😎😉 keep it up
Stu in London 🇬🇧
Not going to lie .. been waiting for a shirtless clip for a while now! Kind of have a huge crush on you …
What a treat that hot tub was. Great lounge experience. I agree wifi should be free for first class always. That product isn't bad for that first class seat
Love a 777 trip review, what a great service that was from Qatar! Hope the coffee at the end of the meal service was strong & sufficient 😉🤣
Thanks for the “Bongo’s” at the beginning being back 😍
Thanks for a great video & 🤞for 3pts against city today ⚽️
Thank you for sharing your beautiful trip here. Nice!!😊
Excellant video. First class is truly memorable.
Thanks Paul💚💚👍👍
That was decadently lovely, thoroughly enjoyed this.
Glad you enjoyed it Patricia 😃
As always an informative vlog Paul
thanks again Paul... keep these coming so I can dream of traveling this way!
Great video Paul so much so I booked the same flight for 10days time. Looking forward to another QR experience.
I hope you have an equally great time!
@@Paul_Lucas Booked in 1A and no other seats taken. As you were only passenger I thought it may have been a car.
Fantastic though I went for a bed rather than a bath. Only me for lounge boarding, First Class bud and cabin all to myself. Great chatty crew and the usual QR service thanks again for the heads up on this gem.
Off to DXB in March from London, was an option to fly via Doha with Qatar but stuck with Emirates. Great to see another video in the Middle East. Also, love the bath shot😂👌
Brilliant Paul,loved that video.we flown Qatar many times,and used their business class lounge.but the first class lounge will be our next goal.👍
Fantastic trip report Paul!😸
Ouch! What did you bonk me on the head with the champagne for?
😂
Outstanding Paul. Huge fan of your channel. Thanks for sharing. Cheers -
Thank you so much for subscribing and watching! :-)
Definitely gotta try QR First before they phase it out. I wonder what they're going to do with the Al Safwa lounge once they do!
I’ve never flown on a plane leased from another airline, but I have flown on planes that were in the middle of the transition from one brand to another, it’s also kind of fun (and a little sad) finding the old logo that will soon be phased out somewhere on the plane.
I once got a gin and tonic on Qatar business class when I'd asked for a "chocolate torte" for dessert
Great stuff Paul!
Great video as always.
❤️ Istanbul! (Even arriving in economy)
Flew Qatar first class on the A380 using miles , what an experience.
Great video Paul! So excited we'll be going to Istanbul for our first time in 2 weeks, then flying home to Vancouver on Turkish Airlines in business class with the kids.
Wow, you splashed out (and splashed in) your well earned points and what a treat for us on this unique route to Istanbul!
You are such a cute guy with great enthusiasm. Your videos are enjoyable to watch. When choosing where to travel, do you pick the destination or the flight first? Paying for the internet in first is insane.
$10 for Wi-Fi, what a check!!
Great video Paul
Everything about this was insane! The lounge was HUGE!
Would you like some water? I mean vodka 😂 Stunning video!
12:49 Armenia mentioned 🎉
I really enjoy your vlogs, but am always absolutely fascinated by what you actually do when you reach your destination, as you never divulge. Would love to know and whether it could actually feature in a separate channel ?
Love your videos!
Hahaha, you looked sloshed after that vodka!
I thought the bus was the best interior of all! good stuff
Thanks for a very informative and entertaining video.
Just back from a 773, Qatar Pacific flight from HKG. They were offering an approx £1000 cash up-grade from Business to First. Not worth it. Same PJs, as in Business class. Same amenity kits. Same food and presentation (except for a few courses, like the caviar). Same boxed chocolates....etc. The one and only real difference, is the seat size; that's all!
Yeah, the HKG route is odd as they don't have an F soft product on that route, unlike the Middle East ones (such as this one to IST). Yeah, I'd be saving my money. Luckily this IST route is frequently available on Avios.
They do have a F soft product on the DOH-HKG-DOH route. But not worth the extra £s; just for the caviar, better champagne and wider seats. (Whilst everything else is the same as Business.)@@Paul_Lucas
Absolutely steaming. Well done!
Well worth those Avios, I’m tempted to do it myself!
This was a very good review of *Cathay Airway's* first class. 😁
Having flown Qatar last year I will never fly with them again.Three of the four main meals served were almost inedible and the 777 cabin was so uncomfortable. That's my opinion, each to their own.
Ripper review as a feral Aussie please tell us Antipodeans about Avios . Also given the amount of grog "forced" upon you were you a tad wobbly deplanning? Give me a shout if you ever head back down to oz Cheers and stay safe .
With a vodka that size I’m surprised they didn’t have to carry you off the aircraft!
Istanbul is indeed a wonderful city. It's been 5 years since I was there and I look forward to going there again.
I'm guessing the first class was empty because it's not available as an upgrade. What do you think?
Looks Good the only other route I can think of where Qatar sticks to the Aircraft Allocation is my local Birmingham always a Boeing 787-8 and maybe LGW and possibly Edinburgh if they still fly there, LHR always gets A380's then it's a mix and a match, Manchester usually gets 77W but now gets the A350 but BHX deffo remains a 787-8
What fabulous service! Lucky you!
Great flight.
14:15 I wish someone like you could change aviation to work like this flight. Best of both worlds. Using online booking/social media to have travelers create their own travel itinerary. Random example created by polls/consensus; A Emirates A380 operated by Virgin, on a flight from Honolulu to New York. Do you think there’s enough aviation fans to make this happen? Fifth freedom flights and air alliances could make it possible? Also that Cathay Pacific Vancouver flight seemed like yesterday 😅
Nothing like Qatar..thanks 4 sharing 🌷
I reckon that foosball table has caused plenty of passengers to miss their flights...
The bus seemed adequate LoL i guess I wouldn’t mind it either.
Paul, just wanted to say I really enjoy your vids. Although, I have wondered what you do once your arrive at your destination? Do you turn into a tourist and see the sights or just stay one night and hop on another flight? Is it possible to go airport hopping, like fly in and then fly out? I'm curious. Thanks
It depends! On this trip I had a night in Sultanahmet, but sometimes I do just connect. If it’s somewhere I’ve not been before I almost always try and stay for a couple of nights!
Nice Qatar Airways Good Flying
0:55 - Paul in a bath...?
Yeah, I'll like that
Weried
Been in al safwa twice, never had caviar on the menu there!
Looking good, man
BONGOS! (Checks Air India video) BONGOS! (Checks Chiang Mai train video) BONGOS! I clearly need to pay more attention. But I welcome their return - thanks :)
They’re back for good 👍🏻
Lucky you and thank you for sharing.
Good video as usual, that train journey you would like to do, sounds interesting, maybe you should do that journey,
Nice video 😊
Nice flight
I think I prefer the QR white livery, - charging for WIFI in First Class isn't great
I wondered if you were joking about a "1st class bus" but wow, sure enough!
Love the report!
Talking about amazing lounges, I believe it mentioned a singapore trip video on the awesome terminal the juwel / singapore and that you had 24hr plans there. Is that still going to happen?
I do still plan to do that! I actually tried to do this last year but an airline rescheduled a flight so it fell through. Soon though!
@@Paul_Lucas Looking forward to it, keep up the amazing reports 🙂
Seats, we cattle class flyer's can only dream of. 😊
I think prince harry flies in business class
You look like a kid in a candy store in this video. Idea for a future episode...."A Week with Paul Lucas - What i do when i am not flying". Really, like what do you do? I assume you do not get off one flight and straight on to another every day. Do you sight see? Visit landmarks? Eat at great restaurants? Or have you been there/done that already. Just get off the plane and go to a hotel and wait for next flight? Could be interesting.
Nice journey brother
Very very good and so much fun and good job ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😂😂😂😂😂🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😅😅😅😅😅😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Paul great video but when you fly first or business class than the WiFi can be free
I was just there 2 weeks ago
I much prefer that livery I’m not sure about the grey on the original
Amazing first class! Good report! Thx
nice
NICE wonderful frLand ofAngH,s moNNagaLand
I've been to Constantinople but not Istanbul. :)
so first class on the aircraft is the same as business except for the caviar and a little more space? the food, drinks and service are the same?
No, not at all. The food, drinks and service are all different.
There's something classy about Qatar (and its airline) that makes it more appealing than its more, shall we say, "gauche" regional competitors.
The storage always has me head sracthcing. Now I have alot of teach but would no way be enough to fill all that and then it would baffle me folk un packing all their gear just to put in the little cubbies etc.
Who would pay £3000 for a four hour flight although the review didn’t pay this
It’s apparently rather common in GCC contracts so the business class basically became rebranded as first in most cases.
@@unknownperson3691 what is GCC?
paying for wifi on a plane is nonsense full stop never mind in first class. Also #freejoshcahill
I wonder ...seeing all the video s of people flying first and business class and nobody pays money for such flights, everybody pays with points....it is a wonder that the airlines still offer first and business class and can make money out of these products, I do not understand or is there something that I miss?
Why is it a secret???