Introduction

So, it looks like this is going to be one of those trips. I’m booked on Qatar Airways from Paris to Doha, with a departure from Doha at 09h05. Only, when I wake up this morning I have a whatsapp message in my inbox from Qatar Airways, informing me that the inbound has had to divert to Amman. As a result, my departure to Doha has moved back to 12h25. Which also means that I’ll miss my connection in Doha.

Getting to Charles de Gaulle Terminal 1

Charles de Gaulle Terminal 1 is one of the most easily recognizable airport landmarks, largely due to its iconic and futuristic round shape. From Roissypole it’s only two stops to Terminal 1.

Check-in

My first stop is at the Qatar Airways check-in counters. Qatar Airways makes it impossible for you to add a frequent flyer number if you forget to add it at the time of booking. Your only option is then to check in at a counter and ask the agent to insert the number for you.

Qatar Airways Lounge Paris

From check-in I follow the friendly check-in agent’s directions to fast track airside access. My first stop is passport control. The lifts to access the Qatar lounge are located behind passport control, before you enter the access tunnel that takes you under the apron to the main satellite. The lounge is on the eleventh floor.

The lounge is classy and elegantly designed in a typically oriental style. As you enter, there is a seating area arranged around a large marble fountain.

There are plenty of seating options and the lounge provides a decent amount of privacy.

There is a dining area where you can have proper meals – either from the buffet or à la carte.

There are also washrooms and two shower rooms available in the lounge.

Boarding

Boarding is expected to start at 11h20, which doesn’t leave me much time in the lounge. I exit just after eleven and slowly make my way to gate 25/26, from where most of Qatar Airways’ flights usually board here in Paris.

Security is a complete mess and shows the collective stupidity and bad manners of the human race. There are people pushing and shoving, jumping the queue, and generally being plain rude and inconsiderate. But eventually, I manage.

By the time I reach the gate, my flight is already in the final stages of boarding. They’ve just announced that the flight is closing. So, I take two quick photos of my ride, which hardly capture the beauty of the mighty triple seven in all her gorgeousness.

In hindsight, I needn’t have hurried, because we don’t push back from our gate until 13h10, with a delay of just over four hours.

The Cabin & Seat

This is my first time in the Qatar Airways QSuite, and I must say, it really is class! From the moment you step on board, the finish of the cabin and seat is very nice and looks elegant.

The QSuite is designed so that there are two seats facing, with the uneven numbered seats facing the rear, and the even numbered seats facing forward. The uneven numbered rows are the A seats and are closer to the window, whereas even numbered rows are the C seats that are closer to the aisle. The picture below is of an even numbered C seat.

And this here in the next set of photos is my seat: 5A by the window. The seat is very comfortable and provides a lot of storage space. Clearly, a lot of thought has gone into the design of the QSuite, so that it’s not only very attractive to look at, but also very practical.

There is a thick blanket, a soft pillow and a cushion at every seat.

Right next to the seat there is a fairly large storage compartment containing a bottle of still water and the earphones.

Amenities

Also at my seat is a vanity kit and a packaged towel by Diptyque. The vanity kit contains earplugs, socks and a few Diptyque samples. Shaving kits and toothbrushes are available from the lavatories. A short while after I take my seat, the crew pass through the cabin offering sets of pajamas and slippers.

The Service & Crew

While we wait for ATC to release our flight, the crew pass through the cabin taking orders for drinks. I ask for the lemon and mint juice, but it’s so sweet that I only have a few sips.

The crew are a bit of a mixed bag. The purser and the other female crew serving the forward cabin are friendly and efficient. However, the crew serving the rear Business Class cabin are a bit… rough around the edges. Let’s put it that way.

The Meal – Lunch

The food and wine menus are already at my seat when I board the plane. I was hoping there would be an Indian option, which Qatar Airways does very well. But it looks as though I’m out of luck.

Once we’re airborne, the service begins with a glass of the Taittinger Rosé, which is served with a small ramekin of warm mixed nuts.

Next, the table is set for the meal. The crew have about five different types of olive oil on offer. I have my own little breadbasket with three small rolls. But to be honest, they’re not very good and rather stale.

For an amuse bouche, I have the prawn with a horseradish cream.

First Course: Mezze

For the starter, I have the mezze – hummus, aubergine, and parsley served with warm pita bread. This dish is nice. The hummus is creamy and smooth and the aubergine has something sharp and zesty in it.

Main Course: Lobster Thermidor

Well bloody hell (pardon me)! This dish is quite stupendous and puts to shame the lobster I had in Singapore Airlines Suites on my way to and from Sydney earlier this year. This is what a lobster Thermidor should taste like. It’s rich and oppulent and there are plenty of nice, big, juicy chunks of lobster on the plate!

Dessert: Chocolate Mousse Cake

For dessert, I try the chocolate mousse cake. It’s a lovely dish. The custard is delicate and the saffron cream gives it an unusual twist, but it’s way too rich, and I can barely finish it.

After the meal, the crew quickly clear away everything and bring me a cup of coffee with milk. And then I lean back and relax.

Due to the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East, our routing takes us across the Mediterranean into Egypt and the Sinai peninsula and the from there in a straight line to Qatar.

Just before we start the descent, the crew pass through the cabin with another refreshing towel and a small box of chocolates.

Arrival

We land in Doha at 20h35 and taxi to our stand on the main pier. The signage as I exit the airbridge is a bit confusing. The arrow for transfer is pointing up. But when I ask one of the many ground agents, he tells me I should just keep on walking straight ahead, which eventually ejects me in the transit area without having had to go through security again.