Review of Qatar Airways flight from Istanbul to Doha in Business

Report No: 2020-1103

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As I needed to head back to the USA due to multiple events in December, I decided to fly Qatar Airways again on this route as they were both offering competitive prices and an ongoing x5 Qmiles promotion ( 4 times more miles than usual ) so I booked my ticket with Qatar Airways. Although this mini-series would be different as I used my Qcredits ( free upgrade vouchers ) on this trip as there were availability and the outbound leg of this trip would be in Business Class and for the first time, I was able to experience the Qsuites. However, the return leg to Turkey is planned to be in Economy Class unless things change.

The first report of this series would be onboard the Qatar Airways A320 onboard from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Doha Hamad Airport in the lie-flat configuration. I would also cover a brief review about the non-premium ISG CIP Lounge in Sabiha Gökçen Airport.

Here is the routing for this series;

Load for todays flight

Business Class: 100%
Economy Class: 40-45% 

ONLINE CHECK-IN

Online check-in was pleasant as usual

Although, due to document checks at the airport, it is not possible to get boarding passes online for flights to/from the USA on Qatar Airways.

You might not believe me but I was the only passenger in Business Class two days before the flight, until QR cancelled the earlier SAW-DOH flight the same-day and the passengers got transferred to my flight.

I already had seat 3A for the QSuite leg as I was traveling solo and I wanted a window seat. Also a reminder that the window seats on the QSuites are reverse-headed.

And the confirmation of my seats.

ISTANBUL SABİHA GÖKÇEN AIRPORT - SAW

The day of the flight, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport was empty.

Such as the security check and the entrance. While entering the terminal, thermal cameras are measuring your temperature in addition to a ticket check by the security as only passengers are permitted inside the terminal.

Check-in was quick and smooth. 5 desks were available today and after a short wait, I was served. My bag was checked all the way through and my boarding passes for both flights and my lounge invitation at SAW. I knew that seat 02B would be occupied so I asked about an empty row but I was told that the Business Class cabin was full today.

Boarding passes and lounge invitation

Although there is a fast track, there was no wait at the Turkish Citizen lane so passport control was a breeze. For security, only a single lane was open and the wait was not bad. Although as usual at SAW, there were passengers complaining with the security about liquids and sharp objects.

ISG LOUNGE - ISTANBUL SABİHA GÖKÇEN AIRPORT

To spend time before the flight I've headed to the ISG Lounge. At entry, there was a set of passengers negotiating about the walk-in fee, then paid the fee and asked for a refund so it took 2-3 minutes to enter the lounge.

Although the staff was friendly, there were almost no seats left and in the taken seats, people were sitting without masks when not eating and drinking. In addition, there were several mannerless people who listened to music or watched videos on the loudspeaker of their personal device.

There was meal boxes similar to my past visit which had a sandwich, salad and a dessert but when the lounge attendant brought the boxes, everyone was attacking to them.

These were the only things left at the buffet.

Also a reminder that the lounge only offers pre-packaged food.
The drink options are limited to soft drinks, coffee, espresso specialities and beer. 

My selection for the day

A7-AHS from the lounge

Indeed, if QR had a flight at the night-block from IST, the lounge over there is one of the reasons I would prefer over SAW when flying QR. However, starting from 2021; this lounge would be rebranded as the Plaza Premium Lounge so we might see some positive improvements.

GATE AREA & BOARDING

Due to the disturbing crowd in the lounge, I decided that going to the gate and seating there would be a better idea. Indeed, it was quieter over there. 

At the gate, face shields were distributed by the ground staff.

About 30-35 minutes before scheduled departure time, the ground staff approached me to my seat and told me that I could board as many people were blocking the boarding lanes. I could definitely imagine how a difficult crowd they were able to manage.

QR 238 ISTANBUL SABİHA GÖKÇEN AIRPORT TO DOHA Hamad Airport

After being welcomed by the crew at the aircraft door, I was escorted to my seat. Today's aircraft A7-AHS, was equipped with the lie-flat Business Class seats. It was a nice surprise as this route may get recliners as well.

The seat had a large IFE screen which was equipped with the Thales IFE system

The legroom is generous

Menus, headphones, "Travel with Confidence" kits, Nappa Dori branded amenity kits, and the menus were available at the seat.

The Nappa Dori amenity kit

The Travel with Confidence kit

Headphones

Bottle of water

The IFE remote which also has a touchscreen

The seat pocket which only had the safety card

Shortly after I took my seat, welcome drinks were offered. I opted for a lemon-mint juice which was served with a refreshing towel.
By the way, champagne is available as a pre-departure drink on departures in Turkey. 

The IFE screen interface

For most of the flight, the route map was on at my seat.

The touchscreen remote interface

Power outlets and USB ports were available at each seat

Before departure, the cabin supervisor introduced herself individually to all passengers seated in the Business cabin and offered me a refill for my lemon-mint juice.

About 10 minutes before our scheduled departure time, we were all set and we started our pushback.

At SAW, it's really rare to see a non-Turkish carrier. Almost all of the planes parked where either TK, AJA or PC.

At that time, the safety video was played.

After the safety video, one of the crew members came to take my meal and drink order for dinner.

Pegasus A320neo which would head to Erzincan the next morning and a Pegasus 737-800, which arrived that evening from Dalaman, at remote stands

More Pegasus aircraft at remote stands

The Turkish Technic hangars at SAW

While we were continuing to taxi, a video about COVID pre-cautions were shown

AnadoluJet 737-800 heading to Kuwait as TK7678.

Shortly later it was our turn and we took off.

Last photos of SAW

Derince

Dilovası

City of Kocaeli ( İzmit )

At that time, the video about the charity project was monitored

Shortly after the seatbelt signs have been turned off, I've visited the lavatory which was clean at that time.

The lavatory had amenities from Rituals.

Sakarya

Here is the menu for today's flight.
Dinner options 

Non-alcoholic beverages

Champagne options for today's flight

3 different white wines and 3 different red wines were available on todays flight

Dessert and port wine options

And, other alcoholic drink options

For the aperitif service, I've opted for the Chateau La Marzelle red wine from France which was served with nuts.

About 20 minutes later, the appetizers were served. For today's flight, I've opted for the Arabic mezze option. The tray also had Arabic pita bread, regular bread, butter, and the dessert that I would cover later.

Signature Arabic mezze
Hummus, tabouleh and moutabef served with Arabic bread 

Also I was served olive oil of my choice for the bread. I've opted for the balsamic vinegar olive oil for this flight.

For the main course, I've opted for the pasta option which was the Saffron tortellini which tasted really good. Also, refills for the wine were offered throughout the meal service.

Saffron tortellini
Creamy mushroom sauce 

The dessert for this flight was the passion fruit brûlée. However, this dessert wasn't burnt as the description, it tasted really good as well. 

Passion fruit brulée
Chocolate flakes 

After the meal, I've ordered a café latte.

Shortly later the cabin lights were dimmed and the route map at that time

While I finished my coffee, the cabin crew handed a refreshing towel and then I set my seat to the full bed mode and had a nap for an hour or two.

Before landing to Doha, cabin lights were turned on and chocolate was served by the cabin crew.

Later on, videos about quarantine at Qatar was shown for passengers terminating their journey in Doha.

Shortly later, we have landed at Doha runway 16L.

As usual, the main sights of DOH are other QR aircraft

The terminal expansion construction going on

Qatar Airways 787-8 that would head to Prague in a few hours

Qatar Airways 777-300ER that would head to Chennai as QR8358, a cargo-only flight

And we've parked at remote stand H6.

While waiting for the buses to arrive, our neighbor was pushing back.

Within 5-10 minutes the stairs and the buses arrived and after saying goodbye to the crew, I have left the aircraft. 

The next flight of A7-AHS would be to Kathmandu the next evening.

There was a dedicated bus for Business Class passengers and after all Business Class passengers have boarded, we headed to the terminal.

After a short bus ride, we've arrived at the terminal. By the way, passengers whose final destination was Doha was asked to stay onboard the bus and only transfer passengers were asked to leave. 4 out of 12 Business Class passengers onboard this flight were transfer passengers.

After heading into the terminal, I've headed upstairs to transfer security.

This report has come to an end.
The journey would continue in the next report.
Thanks for reading and hope to see you in another report.