Totally agree, the crew are not very forthcoming and on my previous flight I found them actually quite miserable. I wasn't a fan of the Q Suite, I like to see what everyone else is eating! Im just too nosey.
Great review! It was interesting to see your experience with Qatar's no filming policy - they were more accommodating than I thought they would be. Thanks for the info + video!
I think you may have been unlucky with this crew or that they’d just thought you wanted to be left in peace during the night (you sure you didn’t accidentally have your DND sign on in your Q-Suite?!). I recently had some great flights on Business with Qatar to Joburg and back (in Q suite on the 777 and the reverse herringbone on the A350-900 and a380) and the crew on every leg were warm and engaging. I try and lay off the bread these days but you’re right that Qatar’s offering is irresistible and I devour all 3 within seconds of them landing on my table! Keep up the good work Phil.
Thank you both, I'm sure that's exactly what it was, leave people be unless they ask, but as a reserved Englishman who doesn't like to be a bother, it feels almost rude to press the call bell (like clicking my fingers at wait staff). It has stood me in good stead for future trips though. The staff on the flight from Birmingham to Doha were the opposite, always up and down the aisles and checking in regularly. @internationAL21 I try to resist the bread and then lie to myself, I'll just have some of that dark rye looking loaf... 😊
@@mygreygapyear Don't worry about ringing the call bell! The reserved Australian in me used to feel the same way but most crew (of this caliber) don't mind at all. Better than patrolling frequently and asking questions all the time. I have no hesitation using it for drinks, etc.
Will be doing the Q suite for the first time to Melbourne in a few months and looking forward to it. I've mixed views towards flight vloggers - most are respectful of the travelling experience of others but others can be inconsiderate and can spoil what was a very expensive trip. Glad to say you're one of the former and I find your videos respectful, entertaining and informative. Subscribed.
Thank you for your kind comments and your sub, respect for others in the cabin, both crew and fellow passengers is something I take seriously, I hope you have an amazing trip in Qsuite and a wonderful time in one of the greatest cities on the planet, that is Melbourne.
really enjoyed the video i am wondering if the seat is spacious and comfy for plus size people? i have the issue with the tray table mostly, does it have alot of room or slide back and forth to make room?
Thanks for your question, I think this is going to be the widest business seat you'll find, as far as the tray table goes, avoid Emirates on their A380, that was very tight for me. I've just watched the footage I have of the tray table and it didn't come all the way up to me, so it didn't stick in me and I could sit comfortably with it open. However the tray contours to the other parts of the seat so there isn't really a lot of sliding back and forth. You couldn't get out of the seat with the tray table open for example. Their new 787-9 suite does have a huge amount of slide back and forth. Let me know if I can be of any further help
Tbh I am crew and I don't want to be filmed. This filming is getting out of proportion. Every single flight there's a vlogger. The amount of pressure crew gets. People have lost their jobs cos of the filming, and this is not something you can not overcome. Crews are voiceless. A 14-hour flight and something gets out of context in a 20-minute video and you're out.
Thanks for this - Q-suites are very often treated as the gold standard, so this was refreshing - and funny. I flew from Doha to London in Q about a month ago (first time for me too), and I found it a pleasant if also slightly odd experience. The food was good (I had lobster done in some Arabic way and it was very good), and I thought the drink options were pretty good, if not absolutely outstanding. And I liked the seat and the privacy. Dine on demand is a fabulous luxury. My crew were also good, and not as stand-offish as yours; in fact the oddest part (and some people have wondered what I'm complaining about, since I'm older than you are, but it just seemed inappropriate somehow) was, shortly before take-off and after I'd been served some good pink champagne, one of the crew (whom I hadn't seen before), looked in and said she'd like to get a champagne flute for herself and come and join me. Obviously I knew it was a joke, but I was tired, and she'd had no opportunity to gauge what kind of response she might get. Oh well - it was still a very good experience, but not quite 10/10. Keep up the great work.
I agree re: the Q-Suite. BA Club Suites are just as good IMO. QR’s 789s are fine as well. I think when it first came out it was ahead of the crowd but now the crowd have/are catching up. EK’s food is better, too.
I think my expectations were too high of exactly how good a business seat is likely to be, with that, being tired and told not to film, I think I wasn't able to properly review the experience. I do want to fly this seat again and reassess (fingers crossed)
How is the situation with getting "Qatar"-ed? Because one flight I am eyeing to get is an early morning flight from Manila (billed a QSuite flight) but has a very long layover (half-day acutally). I wouldn't relish the half-day layover only to get "Qatar"-ed. Should I book that flight pair?
Thanks for your comment, I've taken three business flights with Qatar and they all flew on time with the equipment that was advertised. When I flew economy with them the business cabin was advertised as Qsuite and it was. So that's my experience. So I'm not sure if it's still the issue it once was, but a quick search on FlyerTalk would be a good place to get more data. If you do for it and need some sleep make sure you book a day room/ bed/ quiet room (can't remember the terminology) in the old Al Mourjan lounge (By the A & B Gates). You access it through the self serve buffet restaurant at one end of the lounge.
@@_Tripsandtips101 There's two, the North and South. If you look at the Teddy Bear and then turn left and go through Duty Free near the Harrods Tea Room then you come to an escalator. Up there is the original Al Mourjan. Then if you go to the Orchard there is another, look for the huge Louis Vuitton signs, if you get to the trees you've gone too far. I have videos on both including how to find them.
I also encounter the “no filming!!” when trying to film my daughter walking to her Qsuite for her first international flight. I was pretty frustrated at first until I remembered that this is a cultural norm in their country. Qatar itself has strict laws in place to protect the privacy of its citizens, and taking photographs of individuals without their consent is not allowed. So while filming is a norm for the rest of us, it’s illegal for them... Hope this helps provide some understanding as to why this has been a common experience for a lot of us.
It's a bit of an odd one this, because the answer is both yes and no. So Qatar do fly from Doha to San Francisco and they sell tickets for this (obvs). And Qatar fly from the UK to Doha. So the answer to your question is Yes. However, I can't find any tickets marketed by Qatar from the UK to San Francisco, so if you did want to fly with Qatar for this trip you would have to buy separate tickets which could cause you some issues if you're first trip is delayed. You'd also need to collect any checked bags and check in for your next flight. So although you "can" I wouldn't recommend it. Lots of faf and problems that you wouldn't get flying with any number of other carriers. If you have any other queries about this, do please let me know, Phil
@@mygreygapyear Thank you for that. I suspected as much, as it's impossible to find a "direct" MCR-SFO flight, even with a connection. Pity, looks as though it's back to BA.
@@sandradavies7804 Unfortunately the best of the bad options is probably fly via London unless you want to break the flight up at a half way point like New York or Boston. I hope you find a decent solution and you have a great trip, Phil
Awesome; and in a nice way I am very jealous. I just flew back from Australia cooped up like a sardine in economy. Going to have to become more savy on those reward flights.
Having flown a couple of Q Suite flights in the last year, I must admit my wife and I felt exactly the same about the service. I, like you, definitely got the impression that the crew almost ignored you unless you asked for something. On more than one occasion we were left out when it came to meals and drinks and had to ask for them. I noticed though that the crew were quite sycophantic towards some customers which led us to believe that, because we paid on points, we might be getting an inferior service. Pressing the call bell goes against our nature, perhaps we need to rethink our strategy in the future?
I think the "wait until called upon" might be a service standard but missing you out on meals is unforgivable. I'm like you when it comes to pressing the call bell, it seems rude, like clicking your fingers at a waiter, but you'll find that the crew don't mind, and it's the best way to get what you need on a business flight.
Thanks for your comment and support, I've been finding that I need to use the call bell in business more and more on recent flights. I don't mind it as a service style, it just took some getting used to.
Great video! It looked a wonderful flight, the 777 being an infinitely more preferable piece of equipment than the 787. I thought the food looked good as well.
Sorry Scott, I didn't say in the video what aircraft type I was on, it was an A350-1000, but that doesn't change your original point and I agree with you (in my limited experience) that the 777 is a better aircraft that 787.
That cute sleepy face 😊. Don’t know if you have heard Birmingham airport is absolute chaos now they reversed the 100ml plans after they did the work. Anyways, you clearly love Arabic food and I can take you to the best when you visit. 😋
Not sure how to respond to that so OK, so here's some goofy replies. 1. If find that comment a little stiff Ms Starch. (which reminds me of the joke that involves feeling a little stiff from Rugby" 2. Comfy and stylish but your comment lacks class (I don't like that one too much but without it I'm playing fast and loose with the word "list") 3. The Paul Daniels approach (you might need to Google who that is) with "That's a shame because I like your appearance... Not a lot but I like it. " However, since you commented twice I'll give you another comment below (or above)
I agree with janine, must have class to recognise class, and must be nice to get nice results, i think you're just being awkward, many reviews give an honest reflection of the lens through which the person is looking to begin with. Key word.... Bias. (You might want to google that word)
@@kamranrehman7174 (Googles Bias) inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group, especially in a way considered to be unfair. "there was evidence of bias against foreign applicants" So I'm confused, Ms Starch rather stiffly (still love that joke) accuses me of being badly dressed in business class (or first?) and you accuse me of having no class, and both no dress sense and no class are completely true, so no surprises for me there, but I do consider myself kind, as in I would never comment on what someone is wearing or their appearance or would ever be so unkind as to say someone had no class, but that's just me, you do you. But my confusion comes from your pivot into bias? Are you saying I'm biased "against" Qatar airways, because I have others accusing me of being on their payroll and being biased "in favour" or Qatar Airways. So I guess I'm doing something right.
The crew on Qatar business class vary - I have had some vet good service and I’ve also experienced some really disinterested crew. They need to be more consistent. But yes, you want something ask.
Thanks for your comment, glad to know it's not just me. I've had three different crews, one was too attentive, one didn't check in enough and the one from Doha to Manchester was juuuuuusssst right.
Maybe I've mis-spoken in my commentary, I didn't get my Bose headphones out, so I'm assuming that the headphones they gave me were fine, I couldn't really remember.
I've been in Q-suites only twice - I quite liked it from a space p.o.v. but it did feel rather dark maybe because I was in an inner aisle seat. Crew were ok - friendly but not brilliant. Food was good but I've had much better on Etihad. I never understand why some crew members get so worked up over filming when you've already said you will not film them (without permission) and other pax will be blurred out. There are other Qatar vlogs where the crew don't seem concerned at all - in fact they are happy to be in the film! Are you supposed to request permission to film in advance? [PS: Loved the Not the Nine O'Clock News reference....wild/livid]
Qatar airways are weird about filming. I asked to take a photo of the cardamom chai in first (I just wanted a close up picture of the coffee pot pouring into the cup) and was given a lecture on filming crew. I hadn’t filmed anything at that point. I am really not interested in taking a photo of some random cabin crew. The unexpected confrontational conversation is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about QA first class. Similarly when I think of JAL all I can remember is the one time I asked for a water with ice before takeoff the JAL lady raising her voice saying I can only choose from the couple of beverages on the tray. Never had BA, Lufthansa or Emirates staff communicate that way - and I’m always extremely polite and respectful
I don't know why but the thought of you being told off for asking for water just made me laugh 😂 possibly because it's usually me getting told off (which kicks off my imposter syndrome). You probably had a bottle of cabin temperature water at your seat, yum.
I can understand Qatar’s stance on filming because they don’t want to lose or sack more flight attendants in case the video turned out to be one saying how bad they are. Great job showing us the Q suite, given the filming limitations!
I disagree. Firstly, the fact people lost their jobs was horrendous. That in itself shows bad management, and the treatment of Qatar staff has been appalling. Secondly, not allowing filming, when other airlines welcome it, suggests they have something to hide. The change of CEO should have meant an improved PR experience, if nothing else, but sadly this doesn't bode well. There IS a law in Qatar saying you may not film people without their permission, but there is NO blanket ban on filming on Qatar Airways - so they are actually lying - or we wouldn't have any Qatar videos on YT. I for one wouldn't fly Qatar because of this, and maybe there are many others. I hope so.
@TC.C Thank you for your kind comments, I also understand Qatar's stance on filming, and I'm happy to comply with it, it transpired that as long as I was respectful and didn't film the staff I was golden.
@fluffyfour First up love your handle and thank you for sharing your views. I agree that anyone losing their jobs over a RU-vid review is extremely bad and it's something that I consider when I'm filming and making videos.
In my opinion the firm filming policy is enough to warrant a bad review. When you pay extra for a business class ticket, you want to be happy, enjoying the experience, worry free, and the FAs throwing out a policy like that would piss me off and I'd find myself harping on it throughout the flight. Whatever they're afraid of you filming that will give them a bad look, that is even worse
Thanks for your comment and support, and for sharing your views. I am at a loss to explain the filming policies of Qatar Airways, I would have thought as long as you're not filming staff then we'd be golden.
I thought the best feature was the knee smasher! At least you got some good sleep, there must have been plenty of flights when you were desperate for that.
OMG Phil, this could have be 1:1 my review! My first flight in QSuite was last November and I had high expectations. Not that it was bad by any means. But I had imagined it better! My experiences with Etihad and Singapore Airlines were actually better! Also their fares are so weird! Travel agent booked the cheapest Business ticket and I had to shell out another 300 USD one-way to select a seat! Not that it would usually matter to me (in Business Class), but I can't even sit in a vehicle backwards without getting sick after five minutes, so how could I fly for ours rear facing? 🙈 Great video again!
Oh and, they made me addicted to the Diptyque perfume in the amenity kit. Took me till last month until I could finally get the original size of it at the airport in Singapore 😂
Thank you for your comment and support, it's much appreciated. I'm so glad it isn't just me who wan a little underwhelmed with the Qsuite. $300 for seat selection is crazy.
@@mygreygapyear yes, now I always book all flights myself 😂 I mean after paying almost 3000 USD for the return flight, I had to shell out another 600 USD for seat selection only to find out at the airport, that my ticket doesn't even include lounge access! I found that really crazy for a Business Class ticket!
No, I get it mate, and I agree, they have a living to make and the last thing they need is someone sticking a camera in their face making unfair comments, like Josh Cahill did. This is why I stopped filming when I was told and then had a chat with the crew once we were up in the air. I did make a Qatar economy video shortly after Josh made his, if that's of interest to you, ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-iB3MkVsptOk.html Thanks Phil
@@mygreygapyear I also agree with you about the storage space, kind of lacking. The foot well could be a little bigger and wider as well. I did like the food and high door, lots of privacy. QSuite 2.0 looked ok.
Had a recent flight, with a very bad crew from DOH-BRU, the guy on my side didn't serve any pre-departure drinks or even asked if we required anything to eat. The purser had a few complaints and then she sprung into action, however under Akbar Al Baker's watch this would have never happened.
Thank you both for your comments, no pre-departure beverage is very poor, and I don't think it's just you @iansmith2549, there do seem to be other mixed reports of service on Qatar.
That is a very good point, but I have had rare lamb rump served to me on British Airways, so should the "world's best business class" that is Qatar Airways be able to do something similar?
Thank you for your kind comments, no need to apologise, the former Mrs Gap Year used to buy my clothes and manage my style, but now I stick to what I know which is Jeans and T-Shirt and Polo shirts if I need to dress up 😂 so you're actually seeing me at my best. You look good, so if you want to assist me with my style do let me know and I'll tell you how you can get in touch. Thanks Phil
Yes, I understand, it was Josh Cahill who made a big fuss on a flight from Sri Lanka to Doha. But the crew were perfectly lovely they just wanted to make sure I wasn't "being like Josh".
I agree, I wouldn't either, I am very careful on keeping staff and other passengers out of shot and I also do as much as I can to make that clear in "how" I film the cabin too.
Qatar really need to get into 21st century about this no filming thing. This is an opportunity to showcase their product but they keep scoring own goals blocking people who overwhelming give positive coverage of their onboard product
Yeah, I didn't hold it against them, and I didn't just disobey, we had a short but productive chat. I think the Josh Cahill banning and (possible) sacking has the crew all nervous.
@@mygreygapyear I can say with good authority the crew standards have gone down a lot in recent times. The level of service you got is quite below how it should have been so it’s no wonder they didn’t want the camera rolling. Maybe things will change in time with the new CEO but remains to be seen how long that will take to filter down.