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travelfoody · 2 years
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Qatar Airways x Cathay Pacific First Class Boeing 777-300ER | Male to Doha
Qatar Airways x Cathay Pacific First Class Boeing 777-300ER | Male to Doha
[Click above for the video review.] Airline: Qatar Airways (Cathay Pacific Airframe)Flight Number: QR675Route: DOH-MLEClass: Business ClassAircraft: Boeing 777-300ERRegistration: A7-BOC (Leased from Cathay Pacific previously B-KPP)Delivered: February 2010Flight Duration: 4 Hours 25 MinutesDistance: 2,055 Miles Overall Impression: In our previous video, we flew Qatar Airways’ Business Class…
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crazy4tank · 3 years
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The Year I Travelled Every Week
New Post has been published on https://fashiondesigne.com/the-year-i-travelled-every-week/
The Year I Travelled Every Week
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Pic:   Biking within paradise on La Digue, Seychelles (Oct 2016) Another four  months of intense journeying have passed, time to talk about some details  of our Autumn adventures. For a complete recap of my travel  year, make sure to  understand my Winter , Spring and Summer   stories.
Seychelles
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Pic: The seaside at Savoy Seychelles Holiday resort and Spa on Mahe Earlier October, I visited  the particular island nation of the Seychelles   in the Indian Ocean. A powerful one week trip staying at an alternative hotel each night while going to four  islands:   Mahé , Sainte-Anne , Praslin   and La Digue . Hotel wise, I used to be very impressed with the  Constance Ephelia  Vacation resort , a  magical spot to revive the senses. Should you be looking for a resort to de-stress in a beautiful setting along with amazing staff, this is the spot to be!
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Picture: Fitness Pool at Constance Ephelia Resort Seychelles Pic:   Scuba diving at Anse Lazio, Praslin, Seychelles The  granite-based islands within the Seychelles offer some incredible beaches of which Anse Lazio has been one of my favorites.
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Pic:   Daydreaming at Anse-Lazio seaside on Praslin Island Pic:   Pool at Beachcomber Seychelles Sainte-Anne Island Other great resorts I stayed at had been Beachcomber Seychelles Sainte-Anne Island , Raffles Seychelles Praslin Island   plus Le Meridien  Fisherman’s Cove   where I published postcards in an underwater mail box   (! ) for some of my fortunate Twitter and Instagram Stories followers.
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Pic: Bart with Anse Source D’Argent, Una Digue  (Oct 2016) I travelled non-stop between  Paris plus Mahe with Air Seychelles , a good Etihad Airways partner. You can generate and redeem Etihad Guest kilometers with  Air Seychelles.
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Pic:   Air flow Seychelles A330-200 at  Hair salon Vallée De Mai living room
Maldives
Pic:   Qatar Airways B787 Company Class from Brussels in order to Doha For my trip to the particular Maldives  in November, I actually redeemed  British Airways avios to book a visible BRU-DOH-MLE on Qatar Air passage Business Class.
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Pic:   Hand tree at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island I stayed a few nights at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island   using 285. 1000 Hilton HHonors   points. My initial two nights, I was improved to a  Water Property which did not impress me much. The particular ‘dividers’ between the villa’s interrupting the views bothered me personally. For my last night, I actually moved to one of the newly restored Beach Villa’s   which you normally obtain when booking with factors. I liked those the lot  more than the basic overwater villa’s!
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Pic:   Breakfast every day in paradise at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island In the morning, I actually enjoyed complimentary breakfast in Vilu restaurant  thanks to our Hilton HHonors Gemstone status .
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Pic:   Bart at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island  (Nov 2016) Pic: Isle shuttle at Conrad Maldives  Rangali Island
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Pic: Ithaa, World’s Best Undersea Restaurant in Conrad Maldives Conrad Maldives provides unique underwater dining encounters in their Undersea restaurant  Ithaa . I had  the  Champagne cocktail experience, the greater affordable option to visit this unique restaurant.
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Pic: Champagne Drink at Ithaa Conrad Maldives
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Pic: Tuk Firefox in Colombo, Sri Lanka (Nov 2016) On my  way back in order to Belgium, I made  a  detour through Colombo and Kuala Lumpur.   Tuk Firefox Sri Lanka   emerged  me in Colombo’s meals scene  in their colorful Tuks. In Kuala Lumpur, Belgian balloon pilot Jonas hosted me for  the thrilling  balloon adventure above Putrajaya!
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Pic: My Balloon Journey above Putrajaya, Malaysia (Nov 2016)
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Pic:   Working the night shift on Emirates A380 bar (Nov 2016) My detour via Colombo and Kuala Lumpur a new reason: flying Emirates A380 Business Class extremely cheap… We paid less than 330 EUR! Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is one associated with “the four Cs” (Cairo, Cape Town, Casablanca plus Colombo) which regularly provide amazing premium airfares.
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Pic:   Etihad First Class Check-in Abu Dhabi (Nov 2016) As if traveling Qatar Airways B787 plus Emirates A380 Business Course in one trip wasn’t sufficient yet, I had also additional Etihad A380 First Class to a journey. I flew Etihad’s First Class Apartment from Abu Dhabi to London making use of 41812 Etihad Guest mls + 528AED (132EUR) money.
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Picture: Etihad First Class Lounge plus Spa Abu Dhabi (Nov 2016)
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Pic:   Etihad AIRBUS380 Upper Deck featuring nine First Class Apartments
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Pic: Bart at Etihad’s A380 Top class Apartment 4A
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Pic:   Etihad First Class dessert with Duval Leroy Rose Prestige Bubbly
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Pic: The Reception bar onboard Etihad AIRBUS380 Upper Deck
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Pic:   Etihad A380 First Class House 4A Full Flat Mattress
Weekend break Trips
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Pic:   Lemon Fresh new at Bratislava Sky Pub Slovakia (Sep 2016) Similar to previously in the year, I held traveling every weekend between my longer trips. Within September I flew in order to Vienna where I produced the short  bus trip to Bratislava, my initial visit to Slovakia.
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Pic:   Hungarian Parliament by night in Budapest (Sep 2016) The second weekend associated with September was a family visit to Budapest where I remained at the InterContinental with view on the Chain Link .
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Pic:   Autumn  weekend in Paris, france with Jaguar XE (Sep 2016)
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Pic: Enjoyable in streets of Paris, france with Jaguar XJ (Nov 2016) I also had the enjoyment to drive a number of Jaguars within the Fall of 2016. I actually made two trips in order to Reims & Paris with all the Jaguar XE and Jaguar XJ . Pic: With srprs. me and  Air Serbia to Belgrade (Oct 2016) Nederlander travel agency  srprs. me   amazed me with a weekend break trip to Belgrade (Serbia).
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Pic: Bart traveling the 2016 BMW  330e iPerformance BMW made my trip to Dusseldorf a lot more fascinating by borrowing me the  2016 BMW 330e plug hybrid .
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Pic:   Presidential Package at Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf (Nov 2016) Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf   managed me in their Presidential Package in November!
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Pic:   Executive Sea View Area at Intercontinental Carlton Cannes Dec started with two  sunlit weekends in Cannes (France) and Valencia (Spain).
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Pic: l’Hemisfèric  on Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias Valencia
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Pic:   The Gherkin seen from Duck plus Waffle in London (Dec 2016) Accompanied by a foggy pre-Christmas weekend break in The City.
Conclusion
2016 was a new personal vacation record year for me:
114  plane tickets, 157229 flown miles, six. 3 around earth, 380 hours up in the air
First Class along with Garuda Indonesia, Lufthansa, United states Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways  and Etihad Air passage
Business Course with Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Air Canada, Austrian, Adria Airways, Philippine Air carriers, Singapore Airlines, Alitalia, ANA, SWISS, Lufthansa, Brussels Air carriers, Finnair, British Airways plus Air Seychelles
A  record number of totally free stays at luxury hotels  thanks to IHG’s Greatest Price Guarantee
All of the above makes  48 trips and twenty-seven countries visited !
Up Following
Well, There are one more trip coming up this season, so the numbers above are not final yet! 😉 Ensure that you follow me into 2017 via Instagram Tales , Twitter and Fb . Enjoy the Holiday Season so that as always, thank you for your assistance!
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topfygad · 5 years
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Qsuites review – A detailed look at the Qatar Airways business class
Who doesn’t dream of flying business class all the time? But whether it is on points or buy paying cash, not all business class experiences manage to deliver on the promise of excellence. Qatar Airways is frequently ranked as the best business class in the world. But is it really true? This is exactly why I wanted to write a detailed QSuites review for you and share my views.
So far, I had the privilege to enjoy the QSuites six times. The last time was a flight from Doha to Male on the Maldives (read about my trip here), so I’m fairly certain I am able to tell you exactly what expect and if the whole affair is worth the money or not.
So, let’s get started with my detailed QSuites review, shall we?
My QSuites review
The new business class cabin of Qatar Airways with Qsuites
Qatar Airways inaugurated the QSuites in 2017 and changed the standards for business class with it. With a 1-2-1 layout, it was the first business class to feature suite-style seats with a completely closable door and lay flatbeds.
The whole concept sounded quite magical. The center rows could be converted into a private space for couples or even a four-person family area with double beds. Perfect for big families our as a work area.
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Me enjoying my QSuite (front-facing suite)
When I first saw the configuration, I actually was quite worried, can you believe it? I suffer a bit from claustrophobia. The QSuites might bring first-class amenities to business class, but there is a distinct difference in size. Each seat is 21.5 inches wide and 79 inches long. Together with the doors, I was honestly worried it would feel to tight for me.
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The middle aisle of the business class with the family suites
But after 6 flights, I can put such worries to rest. The privacy is just perfect and not in the least claustrophobic. In fact, I flew once with my family and the family suite is just simply outstanding. Having dinner together 30.000 feet above the ground, almost like at a normal restaurant table, is nothing short of amazing.
The seat configuration might be a bit confusing on your first trip, though: The odd-numbered rows face to the rear, while the even-numbered ones are front-facing. Personally, I like the rear-facing seats more, as the seats are closer to the window and add a little extra privacy. The difference is marginal and nothing to really fuss about, though.
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For the middle row seats, the difference is major, though. Again, the rear-facing seats are the better option – at least if you are traveling as a couple. While the seats are fully separated, the wall can be removed completely, so you end up with a real double bed. There is not even an armrest in between.
The best part, Qatar Airways actually supplies you with an actual mattress on request, so you really end up with a proper bed you can sleep on. It’s still a bit on the harder side (the “mattress” is maybe an inch thick), but way above anything else you’d find for a similar price.
A detailed look at the QSuites
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Me reclining in my Qsuite with my legs stretched
Now let’s take a closer look at what you are actually facing in your little QSuites cabin. Like I said, each suite has a sliding door that can be closed for privacy after take-off. They don’t reach the ceiling but end around the eye level. So even when they are fully closed, the stewardess will be able to look inside. They will definitely respect the do not disturb signs you can light-up from your control panel.
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Making full use of that lay-flat bed
And speaking of the control panel. The seats of the QSuites are pretty versatile and you can move them pretty much in any way you like. I already mentioned the amazing lay-flat feature which converts the seat into a full bed for people of average height and weight. You can also move it forward or backward, which is really helpful while eating. Plus you can change the inclination however you like. There is no massage function, though.
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The massive 21.5-inch entertainment system
Each QSuite comes with a 21.5-inch entertainment system with touchscreen controls. You can also control it via a remote control that is hidden in your armrest which has another small monitor (perfect to run the map!).
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Bird’s eye view of a Qsuite compartment
There are a bright overhead light and another smaller light above your armrest, so between working, reading and sleeping, you will face no problem whatsoever. There are also universal power ports, USB ports, HDMI and contactless NFC capabilities – so it’s easy to connect your own devices.
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The QSuites with a made-up bed
Every Qsuite has a retractable table (which is used for food times) and an additional table in front of the monitor which is the perfect spot to put a cocktail or some drinks. There is a little open storage compartment below the table where you can store things for immediate use. I wish they would have added a little rail, so things don’t slide out as easy.
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Here’s another view of a front-facing QSuite
Right next to your seat is a little bench. I am not entirely sure what you need it for, but you can slide it up and down, so it can convert into a nice armrest (at least on one side). Another storage compartment hides underneath – the perfect place to put your purse or other items you will not need the whole flight but you don’t over to store overhead.
All in all, I feel the setup works out perfectly and it’s seriously the best business class product out there to date. I love the privacy, I love the color scheme and the lay-flat beds are priceless.
QSuite Amenity kit
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The Amenity kit by BRIC’S
Every passenger in the business class will, of course, receive an amenity kit. I experienced a couple of different ones, but if you are lucky you get the super neat leather kits by BRICs. Inside, there is Castello Monte Vibiano skincare (moisturized, mist and lip balm), earplugs, sleeping mask, and socks. The skincare is not outstanding, but decent and I felt the facial mist really smells nice and refreshing.
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The sleepwear you get on long-haul flights
On long-haul and overnight flights you will also get slippers and sleepwear provided by The White Company. You will find toothbrushes, shaving sets, and the signature eau de toilette in the bathroom. Each QSuite will also come with noise-canceling headphones. So, there is really everything you need!
The food and drinks on the Qatar Airways business class
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The traditional Mezze selection (must-eat)
Now let’s talk about food!
Eating is probably the best way to pass the time onboard a plane, though sadly the quality is often quite mixed.
On that note, I do have to say that I had quite a mixed experience with Qatar Airways as well – especially on my two flights between Doha and Maldives (DOH – MLE).
The selection of mezze is their signature starter and I recommend you to take it. It’s just perfect (even if you don’t love middle easter starters as I do) and quite a lot.
You can also do nothing wrong with their green non-alcoholic signature cocktail, which I really recommend ordering after take-off.
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An exceptional yummy beef tenderloin
Otherwise, wine-lists and food change depending on your flight and season, so it’s a bit hard writing about it. The only thing I can tell you is that I had both exceptional dishes and abysmal. I once had beef with gnocchi that was very good and something you’d eat at your favorite restaurant.
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That beef was not especially tasty and I feel you can tell by looking at the picture
But this QSuites review would not be complete without mentioning some bad experiences either, would it? I once had another beef with mixed vegetables that were worse than any Aeroflot economy meal in the 1980ies. I wouldn’t have called it edible and I saw a lot of other returning plates as well.
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A continental breakfast with a fruit salad
All deserts/fruit plates I had were quite decent, and at the end of the day you have to stay realistic. This is “only” business class and there is no dedicated chef preparing your wagyu beef to perfection. Outgoing flights from Doha (where they are fully in control) were excellent in my experience, and so was everything from Munich (MUC).
The general service in Qatar Airways business class
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Aviation perfection – okay, this picture needs some nicer clouds!
Any experienced traveler will be able to attest to you that you can build the best hard product ever and it will fail utterly without outstanding service. Qatar Airways seems to be well aware of this fact and really seems to be putting on emphasis on training first-class stewards and stewardess.
If you are familiar with business class products, then you will know that mealtimes are extremely busy for the crew – even more so than in economy, because the is much more logistic involved (everyone has special wishes and more meals) while trying to uphold a way higher standard at the same time.
While I did notice high-stress levels in the kitchen, I never experienced anything in my suite. On all my flights with the Qsuites, the crew was always extremely calm, considered and prepared. Even when take-off was delayed, there were turbulences or me boarding very late (which I usually do), I always received perfection – down to the little LED candle on your dinner table.
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The dinner set-up inside the Qsuites – including LED candles
At the start of each flight, your personal attendant will quickly discuss the details of the flight with you. They’ll ask you for your preferred meal-times (you can choose freely) and of course drinks before and after take-off. They will also happily explain all the features of the suite to you – if you are not familiar with it.
There was one out of my 6 flights (so far) where I had a new (?) stewardess who was not that familiar with the whole process yet and things were a bit slower. While noticeable (in contrast with the usual perfection), it was nothing to inconvenience me at all. So in short: Service is spot on!
Which planes have Qsuites?
Qatar Airways has quite an impressive fleet and is not exactly a new player in the premium segment. So, however amazing the QSuites are, you will only find them on the following aircraft types: Boeing 777-200LR, 777-300ER, most of the Airbus 350-900 and all the A3500-1000.
It’s quite easy to tell which aircraft have the QSuites. As the configuration in the old business class cabin layout was 2-2-2 (and not 1-2-1), you simply have to check out the seat map of your flight (like on Seatguru)
Summary of my Qatar Airways QSuites review
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That would be me!
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So, let’ put things together. The QSuites are the best business class currently out there. I actually feel there are some first-class products out there that couldn’t compete. While I always had my issues with Qatar Airways Economy Class (the music and endless announcements are driving me insane), you will have nothing of that in QSuites.
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different flight, but again me – this time on 2j
What’s stranger yet, the price is incredibly competitive. You can often get the QSuites for the same price as, say, Lufthansa or United business class, for the same flight – though these products are no match at all. There are worlds in between.
The only problem I have is that flights are always routed via Doha (DOH). So, depending on your destination, it may or may not make sense to actually book a Qatar Airways flight. What do I mean? My home base is in Munich. Lufthansa offers a direct flight to Tokyo or Delhi. Qatar Airways can usually match the price, but the flight duration is usually a lot longer.
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My QSuite all ready for take-off
While a little layover of an hour or two can be perfect to stretch your legs (and I came to prefer it over 16-hours non-stop flights), it stops to make sense if you are 4 more hours in the air to reach your destinations just to have the more comfortable seat.
But, setting this aside, you’d be stupid not to book the QSuites if all other variables are the same.
Btw, if you are just reading this out of interest, here is a guide with 10 tips how to pimp up your economy flight.
So, this was my little QSuites review. Still got any questions concerning Qatar Airways business class? Leave a comment below!
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faucetbacon84-blog · 5 years
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Qatar Airways – $940: New York – The Maldives. Roundtrip, including all Taxes
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A good sale to The Maldives.
Sunset, The One & Only Resort Reethi Rah, Maldives – Photo: Sarah_Ackerman via Flickr, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
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JFK – DOH (Doha) – MLE (Male, Maldives) – DOH – JFK
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Qatar Airways is a member of the Oneworld Alliance and American partner. Mileage earning with American is as follows:
Miles Flown: 17,490 miles or 5.4 cents per mile
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travelfoody · 2 years
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Qatar Airways X Cathay Pacific Business Class Boeing 777-300ER | Doha to Male
Qatar Airways X Cathay Pacific Business Class Boeing 777-300ER | Doha to Male
[Click above for the video review.] Airline: Qatar Airways (Cathay Pacific Airframe)Flight Number: QR674Route: DOH-MLEClass: Business ClassAircraft: Boeing 777-300ERRegistration: A7-BOA (Leased from Cathay Pacific previously B-KPM)Delivered: December 2009Flight Duration: 4 Hours 5 MinutesDistance: 2,055 Miles Overall Impression: We have not flown Cathay Pacific (CX) since the beginning of the…
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crazy4tank · 3 years
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The Year I Travelled Every Week
New Post has been published on https://fashiondesigne.com/2021/01/04/the-year-i-travelled-every-week/
The Year I Travelled Every Week
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Pic:   Biking within paradise on La Digue, Seychelles (Oct 2016) Another four  months of intense journeying have passed, time to talk about some details  of our Autumn adventures. For a complete recap of my travel  year, make sure to  understand my Winter , Spring and Summer   stories.
Seychelles
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Pic: The seaside at Savoy Seychelles Holiday resort and Spa on Mahe Earlier October, I visited  the particular island nation of the Seychelles   in the Indian Ocean. A powerful one week trip staying at an alternative hotel each night while going to four  islands:   Mahé , Sainte-Anne , Praslin   and La Digue . Hotel wise, I used to be very impressed with the  Constance Ephelia  Vacation resort , a  magical spot to revive the senses. Should you be looking for a resort to de-stress in a beautiful setting along with amazing staff, this is the spot to be!
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Picture: Fitness Pool at Constance Ephelia Resort Seychelles Pic:   Scuba diving at Anse Lazio, Praslin, Seychelles The  granite-based islands within the Seychelles offer some incredible beaches of which Anse Lazio has been one of my favorites.
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Pic:   Daydreaming at Anse-Lazio seaside on Praslin Island Pic:   Pool at Beachcomber Seychelles Sainte-Anne Island Other great resorts I stayed at had been Beachcomber Seychelles Sainte-Anne Island , Raffles Seychelles Praslin Island   plus Le Meridien  Fisherman’s Cove   where I published postcards in an underwater mail box   (! ) for some of my fortunate Twitter and Instagram Stories followers.
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Pic: Bart with Anse Source D’Argent, Una Digue  (Oct 2016) I travelled non-stop between  Paris plus Mahe with Air Seychelles , a good Etihad Airways partner. You can generate and redeem Etihad Guest kilometers with  Air Seychelles.
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Pic:   Air flow Seychelles A330-200 at  Hair salon Vallée De Mai living room
Maldives
Pic:   Qatar Airways B787 Company Class from Brussels in order to Doha For my trip to the particular Maldives  in November, I actually redeemed  British Airways avios to book a visible BRU-DOH-MLE on Qatar Air passage Business Class.
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Pic:   Hand tree at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island I stayed a few nights at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island   using 285. 1000 Hilton HHonors   points. My initial two nights, I was improved to a  Water Property which did not impress me much. The particular ‘dividers’ between the villa’s interrupting the views bothered me personally. For my last night, I actually moved to one of the newly restored Beach Villa’s   which you normally obtain when booking with factors. I liked those the lot  more than the basic overwater villa’s!
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Pic:   Breakfast every day in paradise at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island In the morning, I actually enjoyed complimentary breakfast in Vilu restaurant  thanks to our Hilton HHonors Gemstone status .
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Pic:   Bart at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island  (Nov 2016) Pic: Isle shuttle at Conrad Maldives  Rangali Island
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Pic: Ithaa, World’s Best Undersea Restaurant in Conrad Maldives Conrad Maldives provides unique underwater dining encounters in their Undersea restaurant  Ithaa . I had  the  Champagne cocktail experience, the greater affordable option to visit this unique restaurant.
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Pic: Champagne Drink at Ithaa Conrad Maldives
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Pic: Tuk Firefox in Colombo, Sri Lanka (Nov 2016) On my  way back in order to Belgium, I made  a  detour through Colombo and Kuala Lumpur.   Tuk Firefox Sri Lanka   emerged  me in Colombo’s meals scene  in their colorful Tuks. In Kuala Lumpur, Belgian balloon pilot Jonas hosted me for  the thrilling  balloon adventure above Putrajaya!
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Pic: My Balloon Journey above Putrajaya, Malaysia (Nov 2016)
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Pic:   Working the night shift on Emirates A380 bar (Nov 2016) My detour via Colombo and Kuala Lumpur a new reason: flying Emirates A380 Business Class extremely cheap… We paid less than 330 EUR! Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is one associated with “the four Cs” (Cairo, Cape Town, Casablanca plus Colombo) which regularly provide amazing premium airfares.
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Pic:   Etihad First Class Check-in Abu Dhabi (Nov 2016) As if traveling Qatar Airways B787 plus Emirates A380 Business Course in one trip wasn’t sufficient yet, I had also additional Etihad A380 First Class to a journey. I flew Etihad’s First Class Apartment from Abu Dhabi to London making use of 41812 Etihad Guest mls + 528AED (132EUR) money.
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Picture: Etihad First Class Lounge plus Spa Abu Dhabi (Nov 2016)
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Pic:   Etihad AIRBUS380 Upper Deck featuring nine First Class Apartments
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Pic: Bart at Etihad’s A380 Top class Apartment 4A
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Pic:   Etihad First Class dessert with Duval Leroy Rose Prestige Bubbly
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Pic: The Reception bar onboard Etihad AIRBUS380 Upper Deck
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Pic:   Etihad A380 First Class House 4A Full Flat Mattress
Weekend break Trips
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Pic:   Lemon Fresh new at Bratislava Sky Pub Slovakia (Sep 2016) Similar to previously in the year, I held traveling every weekend between my longer trips. Within September I flew in order to Vienna where I produced the short  bus trip to Bratislava, my initial visit to Slovakia.
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Pic:   Hungarian Parliament by night in Budapest (Sep 2016) The second weekend associated with September was a family visit to Budapest where I remained at the InterContinental with view on the Chain Link .
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Pic:   Autumn  weekend in Paris, france with Jaguar XE (Sep 2016)
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Pic: Enjoyable in streets of Paris, france with Jaguar XJ (Nov 2016) I also had the enjoyment to drive a number of Jaguars within the Fall of 2016. I actually made two trips in order to Reims & Paris with all the Jaguar XE and Jaguar XJ . Pic: With srprs. me and  Air Serbia to Belgrade (Oct 2016) Nederlander travel agency  srprs. me   amazed me with a weekend break trip to Belgrade (Serbia).
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Pic: Bart traveling the 2016 BMW  330e iPerformance BMW made my trip to Dusseldorf a lot more fascinating by borrowing me the  2016 BMW 330e plug hybrid .
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Pic:   Presidential Package at Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf (Nov 2016) Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf   managed me in their Presidential Package in November!
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Pic:   Executive Sea View Area at Intercontinental Carlton Cannes Dec started with two  sunlit weekends in Cannes (France) and Valencia (Spain).
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Pic: l’Hemisfèric  on Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias Valencia
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Pic:   The Gherkin seen from Duck plus Waffle in London (Dec 2016) Accompanied by a foggy pre-Christmas weekend break in The City.
Conclusion
2016 was a new personal vacation record year for me:
114  plane tickets, 157229 flown miles, six. 3 around earth, 380 hours up in the air
First Class along with Garuda Indonesia, Lufthansa, United states Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways  and Etihad Air passage
Business Course with Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Air Canada, Austrian, Adria Airways, Philippine Air carriers, Singapore Airlines, Alitalia, ANA, SWISS, Lufthansa, Brussels Air carriers, Finnair, British Airways plus Air Seychelles
A  record number of totally free stays at luxury hotels  thanks to IHG’s Greatest Price Guarantee
All of the above makes  48 trips and twenty-seven countries visited !
Up Following
Well, There are one more trip coming up this season, so the numbers above are not final yet! 😉 Ensure that you follow me into 2017 via Instagram Tales , Twitter and Fb . Enjoy the Holiday Season so that as always, thank you for your assistance!
0 notes
crazy4tank · 3 years
Text
The Year I Travelled Every Week
New Post has been published on https://fashiondesigne.com/2021/01/04/the-year-i-travelled-every-week/
The Year I Travelled Every Week
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Pic:   Biking within paradise on La Digue, Seychelles (Oct 2016) Another four  months of intense journeying have passed, time to talk about some details  of our Autumn adventures. For a complete recap of my travel  year, make sure to  understand my Winter , Spring and Summer   stories.
Seychelles
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Pic: The seaside at Savoy Seychelles Holiday resort and Spa on Mahe Earlier October, I visited  the particular island nation of the Seychelles   in the Indian Ocean. A powerful one week trip staying at an alternative hotel each night while going to four  islands:   Mahé , Sainte-Anne , Praslin   and La Digue . Hotel wise, I used to be very impressed with the  Constance Ephelia  Vacation resort , a  magical spot to revive the senses. Should you be looking for a resort to de-stress in a beautiful setting along with amazing staff, this is the spot to be!
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Picture: Fitness Pool at Constance Ephelia Resort Seychelles Pic:   Scuba diving at Anse Lazio, Praslin, Seychelles The  granite-based islands within the Seychelles offer some incredible beaches of which Anse Lazio has been one of my favorites.
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Pic:   Daydreaming at Anse-Lazio seaside on Praslin Island Pic:   Pool at Beachcomber Seychelles Sainte-Anne Island Other great resorts I stayed at had been Beachcomber Seychelles Sainte-Anne Island , Raffles Seychelles Praslin Island   plus Le Meridien  Fisherman’s Cove   where I published postcards in an underwater mail box   (! ) for some of my fortunate Twitter and Instagram Stories followers.
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Pic: Bart with Anse Source D’Argent, Una Digue  (Oct 2016) I travelled non-stop between  Paris plus Mahe with Air Seychelles , a good Etihad Airways partner. You can generate and redeem Etihad Guest kilometers with  Air Seychelles.
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Pic:   Air flow Seychelles A330-200 at  Hair salon Vallée De Mai living room
Maldives
Pic:   Qatar Airways B787 Company Class from Brussels in order to Doha For my trip to the particular Maldives  in November, I actually redeemed  British Airways avios to book a visible BRU-DOH-MLE on Qatar Air passage Business Class.
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Pic:   Hand tree at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island I stayed a few nights at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island   using 285. 1000 Hilton HHonors   points. My initial two nights, I was improved to a  Water Property which did not impress me much. The particular ‘dividers’ between the villa’s interrupting the views bothered me personally. For my last night, I actually moved to one of the newly restored Beach Villa’s   which you normally obtain when booking with factors. I liked those the lot  more than the basic overwater villa’s!
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Pic:   Breakfast every day in paradise at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island In the morning, I actually enjoyed complimentary breakfast in Vilu restaurant  thanks to our Hilton HHonors Gemstone status .
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Pic:   Bart at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island  (Nov 2016) Pic: Isle shuttle at Conrad Maldives  Rangali Island
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Pic: Ithaa, World’s Best Undersea Restaurant in Conrad Maldives Conrad Maldives provides unique underwater dining encounters in their Undersea restaurant  Ithaa . I had  the  Champagne cocktail experience, the greater affordable option to visit this unique restaurant.
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Pic: Champagne Drink at Ithaa Conrad Maldives
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Pic: Tuk Firefox in Colombo, Sri Lanka (Nov 2016) On my  way back in order to Belgium, I made  a  detour through Colombo and Kuala Lumpur.   Tuk Firefox Sri Lanka   emerged  me in Colombo’s meals scene  in their colorful Tuks. In Kuala Lumpur, Belgian balloon pilot Jonas hosted me for  the thrilling  balloon adventure above Putrajaya!
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Pic: My Balloon Journey above Putrajaya, Malaysia (Nov 2016)
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Pic:   Working the night shift on Emirates A380 bar (Nov 2016) My detour via Colombo and Kuala Lumpur a new reason: flying Emirates A380 Business Class extremely cheap… We paid less than 330 EUR! Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is one associated with “the four Cs” (Cairo, Cape Town, Casablanca plus Colombo) which regularly provide amazing premium airfares.
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Pic:   Etihad First Class Check-in Abu Dhabi (Nov 2016) As if traveling Qatar Airways B787 plus Emirates A380 Business Course in one trip wasn’t sufficient yet, I had also additional Etihad A380 First Class to a journey. I flew Etihad’s First Class Apartment from Abu Dhabi to London making use of 41812 Etihad Guest mls + 528AED (132EUR) money.
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Picture: Etihad First Class Lounge plus Spa Abu Dhabi (Nov 2016)
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Pic:   Etihad AIRBUS380 Upper Deck featuring nine First Class Apartments
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Pic: Bart at Etihad’s A380 Top class Apartment 4A
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Pic:   Etihad First Class dessert with Duval Leroy Rose Prestige Bubbly
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Pic: The Reception bar onboard Etihad AIRBUS380 Upper Deck
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Pic:   Etihad A380 First Class House 4A Full Flat Mattress
Weekend break Trips
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Pic:   Lemon Fresh new at Bratislava Sky Pub Slovakia (Sep 2016) Similar to previously in the year, I held traveling every weekend between my longer trips. Within September I flew in order to Vienna where I produced the short  bus trip to Bratislava, my initial visit to Slovakia.
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Pic:   Hungarian Parliament by night in Budapest (Sep 2016) The second weekend associated with September was a family visit to Budapest where I remained at the InterContinental with view on the Chain Link .
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Pic:   Autumn  weekend in Paris, france with Jaguar XE (Sep 2016)
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Pic: Enjoyable in streets of Paris, france with Jaguar XJ (Nov 2016) I also had the enjoyment to drive a number of Jaguars within the Fall of 2016. I actually made two trips in order to Reims & Paris with all the Jaguar XE and Jaguar XJ . Pic: With srprs. me and  Air Serbia to Belgrade (Oct 2016) Nederlander travel agency  srprs. me   amazed me with a weekend break trip to Belgrade (Serbia).
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Pic: Bart traveling the 2016 BMW  330e iPerformance BMW made my trip to Dusseldorf a lot more fascinating by borrowing me the  2016 BMW 330e plug hybrid .
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Pic:   Presidential Package at Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf (Nov 2016) Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf   managed me in their Presidential Package in November!
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Pic:   Executive Sea View Area at Intercontinental Carlton Cannes Dec started with two  sunlit weekends in Cannes (France) and Valencia (Spain).
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Pic: l’Hemisfèric  on Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias Valencia
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Pic:   The Gherkin seen from Duck plus Waffle in London (Dec 2016) Accompanied by a foggy pre-Christmas weekend break in The City.
Conclusion
2016 was a new personal vacation record year for me:
114  plane tickets, 157229 flown miles, six. 3 around earth, 380 hours up in the air
First Class along with Garuda Indonesia, Lufthansa, United states Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways  and Etihad Air passage
Business Course with Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Air Canada, Austrian, Adria Airways, Philippine Air carriers, Singapore Airlines, Alitalia, ANA, SWISS, Lufthansa, Brussels Air carriers, Finnair, British Airways plus Air Seychelles
A  record number of totally free stays at luxury hotels  thanks to IHG’s Greatest Price Guarantee
All of the above makes  48 trips and twenty-seven countries visited !
Up Following
Well, There are one more trip coming up this season, so the numbers above are not final yet! 😉 Ensure that you follow me into 2017 via Instagram Tales , Twitter and Fb . Enjoy the Holiday Season so that as always, thank you for your assistance!
0 notes
topfygad · 5 years
Text
Qsuites review – A detailed look at the Qatar Airways business class
Who doesn’t dream of flying business class all the time? But whether it is on points or buy paying cash, not all business class experiences manage to deliver on the promise of excellence. Qatar Airways is frequently ranked as the best business class in the world. But is it really true? This is exactly why I wanted to write a detailed QSuites review for you and share my views.
So far, I had the privilege to enjoy the QSuites six times. The last time was a flight from Doha to Male on the Maldives (read about my trip here), so I’m fairly certain I am able to tell you exactly what expect and if the whole affair is worth the money or not.
So, let’s get started with my detailed QSuites review, shall we?
My QSuites review
The new business class cabin of Qatar Airways with Qsuites
Qatar Airways inaugurated the QSuites in 2017 and changed the standards for business class with it. With a 1-2-1 layout, it was the first business class to feature suite-style seats with a completely closable door and lay flatbeds.
The whole concept sounded quite magical. The center rows could be converted into a private space for couples or even a four-person family area with double beds. Perfect for big families our as a work area.
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Me enjoying my QSuite (front-facing suite)
When I first saw the configuration, I actually was quite worried, can you believe it? I suffer a bit from claustrophobia. The QSuites might bring first-class amenities to business class, but there is a distinct difference in size. Each seat is 21.5 inches wide and 79 inches long. Together with the doors, I was honestly worried it would feel to tight for me.
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The middle aisle of the business class with the family suites
But after 6 flights, I can put such worries to rest. The privacy is just perfect and not in the least claustrophobic. In fact, I flew once with my family and the family suite is just simply outstanding. Having dinner together 30.000 feet above the ground, almost like at a normal restaurant table, is nothing short of amazing.
The seat configuration might be a bit confusing on your first trip, though: The odd-numbered rows face to the rear, while the even-numbered ones are front-facing. Personally, I like the rear-facing seats more, as the seats are closer to the window and add a little extra privacy. The difference is marginal and nothing to really fuss about, though.
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For the middle row seats, the difference is major, though. Again, the rear-facing seats are the better option – at least if you are traveling as a couple. While the seats are fully separated, the wall can be removed completely, so you end up with a real double bed. There is not even an armrest in between.
The best part, Qatar Airways actually supplies you with an actual mattress on request, so you really end up with a proper bed you can sleep on. It’s still a bit on the harder side (the “mattress” is maybe an inch thick), but way above anything else you’d find for a similar price.
A detailed look at the QSuites
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Me reclining in my Qsuite with my legs stretched
Now let’s take a closer look at what you are actually facing in your little QSuites cabin. Like I said, each suite has a sliding door that can be closed for privacy after take-off. They don’t reach the ceiling but end around the eye level. So even when they are fully closed, the stewardess will be able to look inside. They will definitely respect the do not disturb signs you can light-up from your control panel.
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Making full use of that lay-flat bed
And speaking of the control panel. The seats of the QSuites are pretty versatile and you can move them pretty much in any way you like. I already mentioned the amazing lay-flat feature which converts the seat into a full bed for people of average height and weight. You can also move it forward or backward, which is really helpful while eating. Plus you can change the inclination however you like. There is no massage function, though.
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The massive 21.5-inch entertainment system
Each QSuite comes with a 21.5-inch entertainment system with touchscreen controls. You can also control it via a remote control that is hidden in your armrest which has another small monitor (perfect to run the map!).
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Bird’s eye view of a Qsuite compartment
There are a bright overhead light and another smaller light above your armrest, so between working, reading and sleeping, you will face no problem whatsoever. There are also universal power ports, USB ports, HDMI and contactless NFC capabilities – so it’s easy to connect your own devices.
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The QSuites with a made-up bed
Every Qsuite has a retractable table (which is used for food times) and an additional table in front of the monitor which is the perfect spot to put a cocktail or some drinks. There is a little open storage compartment below the table where you can store things for immediate use. I wish they would have added a little rail, so things don’t slide out as easy.
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Here’s another view of a front-facing QSuite
Right next to your seat is a little bench. I am not entirely sure what you need it for, but you can slide it up and down, so it can convert into a nice armrest (at least on one side). Another storage compartment hides underneath – the perfect place to put your purse or other items you will not need the whole flight but you don’t over to store overhead.
All in all, I feel the setup works out perfectly and it’s seriously the best business class product out there to date. I love the privacy, I love the color scheme and the lay-flat beds are priceless.
QSuite Amenity kit
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The Amenity kit by BRIC’S
Every passenger in the business class will, of course, receive an amenity kit. I experienced a couple of different ones, but if you are lucky you get the super neat leather kits by BRICs. Inside, there is Castello Monte Vibiano skincare (moisturized, mist and lip balm), earplugs, sleeping mask, and socks. The skincare is not outstanding, but decent and I felt the facial mist really smells nice and refreshing.
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The sleepwear you get on long-haul flights
On long-haul and overnight flights you will also get slippers and sleepwear provided by The White Company. You will find toothbrushes, shaving sets, and the signature eau de toilette in the bathroom. Each QSuite will also come with noise-canceling headphones. So, there is really everything you need!
The food and drinks on the Qatar Airways business class
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The traditional Mezze selection (must-eat)
Now let’s talk about food!
Eating is probably the best way to pass the time onboard a plane, though sadly the quality is often quite mixed.
On that note, I do have to say that I had quite a mixed experience with Qatar Airways as well – especially on my two flights between Doha and Maldives (DOH – MLE).
The selection of mezze is their signature starter and I recommend you to take it. It’s just perfect (even if you don’t love middle easter starters as I do) and quite a lot.
You can also do nothing wrong with their green non-alcoholic signature cocktail, which I really recommend ordering after take-off.
Tumblr media
An exceptional yummy beef tenderloin
Otherwise, wine-lists and food change depending on your flight and season, so it’s a bit hard writing about it. The only thing I can tell you is that I had both exceptional dishes and abysmal. I once had beef with gnocchi that was very good and something you’d eat at your favorite restaurant.
Tumblr media
That beef was not especially tasty and I feel you can tell by looking at the picture
But this QSuites review would not be complete without mentioning some bad experiences either, would it? I once had another beef with mixed vegetables that were worse than any Aeroflot economy meal in the 1980ies. I wouldn’t have called it edible and I saw a lot of other returning plates as well.
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A continental breakfast with a fruit salad
All deserts/fruit plates I had were quite decent, and at the end of the day you have to stay realistic. This is “only” business class and there is no dedicated chef preparing your wagyu beef to perfection. Outgoing flights from Doha (where they are fully in control) were excellent in my experience, and so was everything from Munich (MUC).
The general service in Qatar Airways business class
Tumblr media
Aviation perfection – okay, this picture needs some nicer clouds!
Any experienced traveler will be able to attest to you that you can build the best hard product ever and it will fail utterly without outstanding service. Qatar Airways seems to be well aware of this fact and really seems to be putting on emphasis on training first-class stewards and stewardess.
If you are familiar with business class products, then you will know that mealtimes are extremely busy for the crew – even more so than in economy, because the is much more logistic involved (everyone has special wishes and more meals) while trying to uphold a way higher standard at the same time.
While I did notice high-stress levels in the kitchen, I never experienced anything in my suite. On all my flights with the Qsuites, the crew was always extremely calm, considered and prepared. Even when take-off was delayed, there were turbulences or me boarding very late (which I usually do), I always received perfection – down to the little LED candle on your dinner table.
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The dinner set-up inside the Qsuites – including LED candles
At the start of each flight, your personal attendant will quickly discuss the details of the flight with you. They’ll ask you for your preferred meal-times (you can choose freely) and of course drinks before and after take-off. They will also happily explain all the features of the suite to you – if you are not familiar with it.
There was one out of my 6 flights (so far) where I had a new (?) stewardess who was not that familiar with the whole process yet and things were a bit slower. While noticeable (in contrast with the usual perfection), it was nothing to inconvenience me at all. So in short: Service is spot on!
Which planes have Qsuites?
Qatar Airways has quite an impressive fleet and is not exactly a new player in the premium segment. So, however amazing the QSuites are, you will only find them on the following aircraft types: Boeing 777-200LR, 777-300ER, most of the Airbus 350-900 and all the A3500-1000.
It’s quite easy to tell which aircraft have the QSuites. As the configuration in the old business class cabin layout was 2-2-2 (and not 1-2-1), you simply have to check out the seat map of your flight (like on Seatguru)
Summary of my Qatar Airways QSuites review
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That would be me!
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So, let’ put things together. The QSuites are the best business class currently out there. I actually feel there are some first-class products out there that couldn’t compete. While I always had my issues with Qatar Airways Economy Class (the music and endless announcements are driving me insane), you will have nothing of that in QSuites.
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different flight, but again me – this time on 2j
What’s stranger yet, the price is incredibly competitive. You can often get the QSuites for the same price as, say, Lufthansa or United business class, for the same flight – though these products are no match at all. There are worlds in between.
The only problem I have is that flights are always routed via Doha (DOH). So, depending on your destination, it may or may not make sense to actually book a Qatar Airways flight. What do I mean? My home base is in Munich. Lufthansa offers a direct flight to Tokyo or Delhi. Qatar Airways can usually match the price, but the flight duration is usually a lot longer.
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My QSuite all ready for take-off
While a little layover of an hour or two can be perfect to stretch your legs (and I came to prefer it over 16-hours non-stop flights), it stops to make sense if you are 4 more hours in the air to reach your destinations just to have the more comfortable seat.
But, setting this aside, you’d be stupid not to book the QSuites if all other variables are the same.
Btw, if you are just reading this out of interest, here is a guide with 10 tips how to pimp up your economy flight.
So, this was my little QSuites review. Still got any questions concerning Qatar Airways business class? Leave a comment below!
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Pin me to your Pinterest board.
source http://cheaprtravels.com/qsuites-review-a-detailed-look-at-the-qatar-airways-business-class/
0 notes
topfygad · 5 years
Text
Qsuites review – A detailed look at the Qatar Airways business class
Who doesn’t dream of flying business class all the time? But whether it is on points or buy paying cash, not all business class experiences manage to deliver on the promise of excellence. Qatar Airways is frequently ranked as the best business class in the world. But is it really true? This is exactly why I wanted to write a detailed QSuites review for you and share my views.
So far, I had the privilege to enjoy the QSuites six times. The last time was a flight from Doha to Male on the Maldives (read about my trip here), so I’m fairly certain I am able to tell you exactly what expect and if the whole affair is worth the money or not.
So, let’s get started with my detailed QSuites review, shall we?
My QSuites review
The new business class cabin of Qatar Airways with Qsuites
Qatar Airways inaugurated the QSuites in 2017 and changed the standards for business class with it. With a 1-2-1 layout, it was the first business class to feature suite-style seats with a completely closable door and lay flatbeds.
The whole concept sounded quite magical. The center rows could be converted into a private space for couples or even a four-person family area with double beds. Perfect for big families our as a work area.
Tumblr media
Me enjoying my QSuite (front-facing suite)
When I first saw the configuration, I actually was quite worried, can you believe it? I suffer a bit from claustrophobia. The QSuites might bring first-class amenities to business class, but there is a distinct difference in size. Each seat is 21.5 inches wide and 79 inches long. Together with the doors, I was honestly worried it would feel to tight for me.
Tumblr media
The middle aisle of the business class with the family suites
But after 6 flights, I can put such worries to rest. The privacy is just perfect and not in the least claustrophobic. In fact, I flew once with my family and the family suite is just simply outstanding. Having dinner together 30.000 feet above the ground, almost like at a normal restaurant table, is nothing short of amazing.
The seat configuration might be a bit confusing on your first trip, though: The odd-numbered rows face to the rear, while the even-numbered ones are front-facing. Personally, I like the rear-facing seats more, as the seats are closer to the window and add a little extra privacy. The difference is marginal and nothing to really fuss about, though.
Tumblr media
For the middle row seats, the difference is major, though. Again, the rear-facing seats are the better option – at least if you are traveling as a couple. While the seats are fully separated, the wall can be removed completely, so you end up with a real double bed. There is not even an armrest in between.
The best part, Qatar Airways actually supplies you with an actual mattress on request, so you really end up with a proper bed you can sleep on. It’s still a bit on the harder side (the “mattress” is maybe an inch thick), but way above anything else you’d find for a similar price.
A detailed look at the QSuites
Tumblr media
Me reclining in my Qsuite with my legs stretched
Now let’s take a closer look at what you are actually facing in your little QSuites cabin. Like I said, each suite has a sliding door that can be closed for privacy after take-off. They don’t reach the ceiling but end around the eye level. So even when they are fully closed, the stewardess will be able to look inside. They will definitely respect the do not disturb signs you can light-up from your control panel.
Tumblr media
Making full use of that lay-flat bed
And speaking of the control panel. The seats of the QSuites are pretty versatile and you can move them pretty much in any way you like. I already mentioned the amazing lay-flat feature which converts the seat into a full bed for people of average height and weight. You can also move it forward or backward, which is really helpful while eating. Plus you can change the inclination however you like. There is no massage function, though.
Tumblr media
The massive 21.5-inch entertainment system
Each QSuite comes with a 21.5-inch entertainment system with touchscreen controls. You can also control it via a remote control that is hidden in your armrest which has another small monitor (perfect to run the map!).
Tumblr media
Bird’s eye view of a Qsuite compartment
There are a bright overhead light and another smaller light above your armrest, so between working, reading and sleeping, you will face no problem whatsoever. There are also universal power ports, USB ports, HDMI and contactless NFC capabilities – so it’s easy to connect your own devices.
Tumblr media
The QSuites with a made-up bed
Every Qsuite has a retractable table (which is used for food times) and an additional table in front of the monitor which is the perfect spot to put a cocktail or some drinks. There is a little open storage compartment below the table where you can store things for immediate use. I wish they would have added a little rail, so things don’t slide out as easy.
Tumblr media
Here’s another view of a front-facing QSuite
Right next to your seat is a little bench. I am not entirely sure what you need it for, but you can slide it up and down, so it can convert into a nice armrest (at least on one side). Another storage compartment hides underneath – the perfect place to put your purse or other items you will not need the whole flight but you don’t over to store overhead.
All in all, I feel the setup works out perfectly and it’s seriously the best business class product out there to date. I love the privacy, I love the color scheme and the lay-flat beds are priceless.
QSuite Amenity kit
Tumblr media
The Amenity kit by BRIC’S
Every passenger in the business class will, of course, receive an amenity kit. I experienced a couple of different ones, but if you are lucky you get the super neat leather kits by BRICs. Inside, there is Castello Monte Vibiano skincare (moisturized, mist and lip balm), earplugs, sleeping mask, and socks. The skincare is not outstanding, but decent and I felt the facial mist really smells nice and refreshing.
Tumblr media
The sleepwear you get on long-haul flights
On long-haul and overnight flights you will also get slippers and sleepwear provided by The White Company. You will find toothbrushes, shaving sets, and the signature eau de toilette in the bathroom. Each QSuite will also come with noise-canceling headphones. So, there is really everything you need!
The food and drinks on the Qatar Airways business class
Tumblr media
The traditional Mezze selection (must-eat)
Now let’s talk about food!
Eating is probably the best way to pass the time onboard a plane, though sadly the quality is often quite mixed.
On that note, I do have to say that I had quite a mixed experience with Qatar Airways as well – especially on my two flights between Doha and Maldives (DOH – MLE).
The selection of mezze is their signature starter and I recommend you to take it. It’s just perfect (even if you don’t love middle easter starters as I do) and quite a lot.
You can also do nothing wrong with their green non-alcoholic signature cocktail, which I really recommend ordering after take-off.
Tumblr media
An exceptional yummy beef tenderloin
Otherwise, wine-lists and food change depending on your flight and season, so it’s a bit hard writing about it. The only thing I can tell you is that I had both exceptional dishes and abysmal. I once had beef with gnocchi that was very good and something you’d eat at your favorite restaurant.
Tumblr media
That beef was not especially tasty and I feel you can tell by looking at the picture
But this QSuites review would not be complete without mentioning some bad experiences either, would it? I once had another beef with mixed vegetables that were worse than any Aeroflot economy meal in the 1980ies. I wouldn’t have called it edible and I saw a lot of other returning plates as well.
Tumblr media
A continental breakfast with a fruit salad
All deserts/fruit plates I had were quite decent, and at the end of the day you have to stay realistic. This is “only” business class and there is no dedicated chef preparing your wagyu beef to perfection. Outgoing flights from Doha (where they are fully in control) were excellent in my experience, and so was everything from Munich (MUC).
The general service in Qatar Airways business class
Tumblr media
Aviation perfection – okay, this picture needs some nicer clouds!
Any experienced traveler will be able to attest to you that you can build the best hard product ever and it will fail utterly without outstanding service. Qatar Airways seems to be well aware of this fact and really seems to be putting on emphasis on training first-class stewards and stewardess.
If you are familiar with business class products, then you will know that mealtimes are extremely busy for the crew – even more so than in economy, because the is much more logistic involved (everyone has special wishes and more meals) while trying to uphold a way higher standard at the same time.
While I did notice high-stress levels in the kitchen, I never experienced anything in my suite. On all my flights with the Qsuites, the crew was always extremely calm, considered and prepared. Even when take-off was delayed, there were turbulences or me boarding very late (which I usually do), I always received perfection – down to the little LED candle on your dinner table.
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The dinner set-up inside the Qsuites – including LED candles
At the start of each flight, your personal attendant will quickly discuss the details of the flight with you. They’ll ask you for your preferred meal-times (you can choose freely) and of course drinks before and after take-off. They will also happily explain all the features of the suite to you – if you are not familiar with it.
There was one out of my 6 flights (so far) where I had a new (?) stewardess who was not that familiar with the whole process yet and things were a bit slower. While noticeable (in contrast with the usual perfection), it was nothing to inconvenience me at all. So in short: Service is spot on!
Which planes have Qsuites?
Qatar Airways has quite an impressive fleet and is not exactly a new player in the premium segment. So, however amazing the QSuites are, you will only find them on the following aircraft types: Boeing 777-200LR, 777-300ER, most of the Airbus 350-900 and all the A3500-1000.
It’s quite easy to tell which aircraft have the QSuites. As the configuration in the old business class cabin layout was 2-2-2 (and not 1-2-1), you simply have to check out the seat map of your flight (like on Seatguru)
Summary of my Qatar Airways QSuites review
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That would be me!
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So, let’ put things together. The QSuites are the best business class currently out there. I actually feel there are some first-class products out there that couldn’t compete. While I always had my issues with Qatar Airways Economy Class (the music and endless announcements are driving me insane), you will have nothing of that in QSuites.
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different flight, but again me – this time on 2j
What’s stranger yet, the price is incredibly competitive. You can often get the QSuites for the same price as, say, Lufthansa or United business class, for the same flight – though these products are no match at all. There are worlds in between.
The only problem I have is that flights are always routed via Doha (DOH). So, depending on your destination, it may or may not make sense to actually book a Qatar Airways flight. What do I mean? My home base is in Munich. Lufthansa offers a direct flight to Tokyo or Delhi. Qatar Airways can usually match the price, but the flight duration is usually a lot longer.
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My QSuite all ready for take-off
While a little layover of an hour or two can be perfect to stretch your legs (and I came to prefer it over 16-hours non-stop flights), it stops to make sense if you are 4 more hours in the air to reach your destinations just to have the more comfortable seat.
But, setting this aside, you’d be stupid not to book the QSuites if all other variables are the same.
Btw, if you are just reading this out of interest, here is a guide with 10 tips how to pimp up your economy flight.
So, this was my little QSuites review. Still got any questions concerning Qatar Airways business class? Leave a comment below!
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