55 minute Qatar First Class flight ….

I’ve done a few short Gulf routes on QR F. Note that QR markets forward cabins on Gulf or regional routes as FIRST class instead of BUSINESS. Nevertheless, QR are known to serve a meal on their shortest flight too.

You will get access to the QR First Class lounge which is an absolute treat especially if you have a long enough layover!

I’m guessing you will be ferried off the plane first while the lesser pax are trapped behind the curtain! This happened to us on DXB-DOH last month, the flight was 50 minutes but it took longer than that to get off the plane and be bussed to the terminal.

We landed miles away from the terminal! Fortunately, the immigration process and baggage retrieval were very efficient.

The real Swiss Tony wrote:

Did this last year DOH-AUH then SHJ-DOH in a 737 MAX

All very pleasant. As noted you get first class lounge access in Doha – has this reopened yet? If it has, make sure you don’t miss the sushi bar which is right by the bus gate you’ll probably end up using.

Onboard managed a glass of champagne (decent but non vintage IIRC) and it was a single plate of food.

The First Class bus at Doha was also very swish. 12 armchairs for 8 pax I think, with those in the cheap seats held behind the curtain until we had safely deplaned.

We have this exact itinerary coming up in about 4 weeks time. I’m really excited about it. And yes, happily Al Safwa is now reopen further to the extended maintenance closure.

The real Swiss Tony wrote:

Did this last year DOH-AUH then SHJ-DOH in a 737 MAX

All very pleasant. As noted you get first class lounge access in Doha – has this reopened yet? If it has, make sure you don’t miss the sushi bar which is right by the bus gate you’ll probably end up using.

Onboard managed a glass of champagne (decent but non vintage IIRC) and it was a single plate of food.

The First Class bus at Doha was also very swish. 12 armchairs for 8 pax I think, with those in the cheap seats held behind the curtain until we had safely deplaned.

Many regional flights are Bus gates. The first class limo buses are freezing cold!!!!

_Tom wrote:

The suggestion on the Qatar app is to arrive at the airport 3 hours prior to departure, so it’s good to know it’s not necessary at SHJ.

Absolutely not. Traffic was also fine. I’d say that if you allowed 90 minutes you would have more than sufficient wiggle room. I was able to use the self service passport check system, then security is done at the gate. It’s literally 100m in an almost straight line from the drop zone to the lounge. Security is done at the gate, and QR seem to have the gate closest to the lounge as theirs.

Greta post and comments on here. I have similar situation Doha to Dubai in first as well. So looking forward to filling my belly in the Al Safwar lounge.. 🙂