TRIP REPORT: Qatar Airways, Belgrade - Doha on the A350
TRIP REPORT
I was on flight QR232 from Belgrade to Doha last week. Due to the World Cup, the airline has been using wide-body aircraft on the route and I was happy to be on the A350-900. When I booked the ticket around 3 weeks prior to the flight, the airline had the A350-1000 scheduled for this date, which included their renowned Qsuite seats in business class. However, two days after booking, I received an email from the airline that the flight would no longer feature the Qsuites. This was because the equipment had changed to the A350-900. As per Qatar Airways policy, you can change your flight if there is a downgrade from the Qsuites. It didn’t really bother me that much and my connecting flight also had the Qsuites anyway.
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| E-mail from Qatar Airways |
I arrived for check-in fairly early as I was unsure of what the traffic would be like around the morning rush hour. Eight check-in desks were being used for this flight (I think that must be a record for a foreign airline at Belgrade Airport), including a dedicated check-in for World Cup fans. The process was quick, and I received a lounge invite with my boarding pass. Since Qatar Airways rescheduled its flights for the duration of the World Cup, the time of departure was at 9.00AM. The Air Serbia Premium Lounge, which is used by Qatar, was quiet at this time, as Air Serbia’s morning rush had passed.
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| No lines at security screening |
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| Or passport control |
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| Air Serbia lounge |
Boarding began around 40 minutes before departure. The business class cabin has a 1 by 2 by 1 layout. Each seat had a blanket, pillow, a small token pillow, bottle of water, headphones and small pack with socks and an eye mask. The entire crew working in the cabin was extremely pleasant, professional and courteous. Prior to departure they handed out the food and beverage menu, and introduced themselves to each passenger. They also took each passenger’s meal and drink order (this included details such as if you want to change your beverage in between courses, the type of olive oil you want etc) and asked when you would like to eat. Pre-departure drinks and a refreshing towel were also served.
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The flight time was just four hours and twenty minutes. I decided to eat after take off and the meal was served shortly after. First the crew served mixed nuts and drinks (the menu for which is extensive with things like cocktails and mocktails in addition to wines, champagnes and so on). None of the meals are served on a tray and all the meals are plated in the galley. The portions are rather big and tasty.
There were around 20 passengers in the business class cabin, while economy seemed full but I don’t know the exact loads. Around an hour into the flight the crew automatically put down the window blinds and turned off the lights in the cabin so people could sleep or nap. The seats are lie-flat, there is storage space on each side of the arm rests and there is a little drawer to place your shoes.
The entertainment system, which is called “Oryx One”, has lots of movies, TV shows and programs. There was also live broadcast of the FIFA World Cup. Of course, my favourite feature was the A350 cameras. You can control the TV both with a remote control and by touching the screen. There was Wi-Fi as well. The first hour is free, while connectivity for the whole flight cost 10 US dollars with unlimited data (this is a good price considering airlines usually charge around $30 with data caps). The Qatar A350s have their so-called “Super Wi-Fi” and it worked really well at a high speed. Take into consideration that Wi-Fi is never available when overflying Iran though.
The lavatory had amenities such as toothbrushes and razors.
The crew passed through the cabin many times, asking if passengers needed anything or wanted a drink refill. We started our descent around 40 minutes prior to landing, with the crew handing out a hot towel and small box of Laderach chocolates.
We landed half an hour early in Doha and parked at a stand, so we were bussed to the terminal.
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| Bus to the terminal |
Despite the World Cup the airport was not that busy, although we did arrive at 3.30PM, which is outside of any of Qatar’s departure waves. The airport recently opened an extension to the terminal which features a so-called garden and many high-end stores, cafes and restaurants.
The return flight to Belgrade a week later, with a departure time of 4AM, was operated by the A320. I will leave a few pictures from that flight below.
I really can’t fault either of the two flights. Crew was fantastic and friendly, the lie-flat seats were comfortable, and the food was very tasty. I hope we see Qatar Airways with their wide-body aircraft in Belgrade in the future as well. I appreciate that they were one of the first foreign airlines to return after Covid and I hope they keep growing their operations.
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