Qatar Airways A380 is among Qatar Airways newest aircraft and flies between Doha and Paris, London, and Bangkok (or at least at the time that I wrote this blog in 2015). The Airlines recently announced they would be removing the A380 from Paris service to focus on Bangkok, but in April 2015 when I ventured over to Egypt on vacation, I was able to take the opportunity to fly Qatar Airways A380 between Doha and Paris.
A380 Pre-Flight And Boarding
After a fantastic visit to the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge I casually strolled towards the gate about 45 minutes before boarding. The departure lounge has two levels with multiple gate areas for economy class passengers on the lower level and business class passengers above. Boarding passes were checked when entering the gate area, and then scanned again before boarding. Boarding was very casual in the business class area, with just a general announcement to board at our leisure.
Upon Boarding I found my seat which was equipped with a large pillow, a soft cotton blanket and a Giorgio Armani amenity kit. Noise canceling headphones and a bottle a water were waiting for me in the underarm rest storage compartment near the fuselage. Shortly after boarding, multiple flight attendants passed through the cabin and offered menus, pajamas and welcome drinks. The pajamas were a nice touch as the flight departed just after 1 am. Most passengers, myself included, quickly changed into them before departure. The only downside was the pajamas came in only two sizes. Small and extra-large! My pajamas were so big I honestly think I could have fit two if not three people in my pajamas! I was swimming in cotton!
Qatar Airways A380 Inflight Service
Service on Qatar Airways during meal service was spot on and the cabin crew was truly fantastic. After we departed from Doha, flight attendants took dinner orders and offered wine pairings with each course. As I selected my appetizer and meal the flight attendant recommended a different wine for each course, right down to my cheese and dessert! Service didn’t end at the recommendations, but continued throughout meal time. Service was fantastic and the meal service was more similar to service I have received in first class on previous airlines than business class!
When it was time to eat, flight attendants set up each person’s table as if they were eating in a high end restaurants. Everything had a place, including white table cloths, full size stemware, fine china, an entire breadbasket, and actual salt and pepper shakers! The table setting was as extravagant as some of my first class flights! Yet this was only business class. Needless to say, I was duly impressed! The dinner was tasty and the dessert was heavenly and by the time I was finished I was truly in a food coma. Between the lounge and the business class meal, I had truly overdone it!
This trip alone explains to me why so many business travelers are overweight, all you do in airports and airplanes is eat and drink!
Meal service was superb! The staff were friendly and professional throughout the service. Dinner serivce had extra little touches that made one feel as though they were having a high end dining experience. The service wasn’t just drop and go service often found on carriers. Instead, service was personal and flights attendants took extra time to ensure the dining experience was positive. Wine was always served with a white towel service at the seat and silverware changed between each course! If there were Michelin ratings for Airlines, Qatar would rank at least 2 star if not 3 stars—hence why it’s a skytrax 5 star airline and voted World’s Best Business Class!
After dinner service the Flight attendants were primarily out of sight. They stayed quietly in the galley unless called upon. This is nice as the flight departs so late from Doha as it encourages passengers to sleep.
Before landing, breakfast was available. I stuck to the Krug. Although I did have a juice and a smoothie and a coffee.
Qatar A380 Bar
As we inched towards Paris, most individuals slept as this was a red-eye. I however was connecting from Paris to New York and onto the West Coast. I would prefer to sleep on AA than Qatar, so I decided to stay awake and enjoy the A380 bar! After dinner and finishing a movie, I took my book and set up camp in the bar. Reading and sipping Krug at 30,000 feet! This is really the good life!
The bar is quite nice and very different than other bars I have experienced on the A380. Decked out with red roses and high end alcohol, the A380 bar is among the best inflight bars! Qatar’s bar kills the Korean Air A380 Absolute bar! And lets not even bother with Etihad’s A380 Bar or lounge.
The bartender was friendly and made small talk and ensured that my Krug was never empty!
Final Thoughts
It has been several years since I have flown Qatar’s A380, but everything about flying Qatar was memorable. My last flight on Qatar was on regional first class. The flight did offer me access to the Al Safwa lounge. Comparing the two lounge and experiences, I can say Qatar’s Business class is plenty nice! Enjoy a few more photos below.
