Qatar Airways A330-300 business class DOHA-COLOMBO

BACKGROUND Qatar Airways has eight Airbus A330-300 aircraft in its fleet, which are often used for the carrier's medium-haul services such as this Doha-Colombo flight.

- Hannah Brandler

The aircraft is configured in two classes: 30 lie-flat seats in business class and 275 seats in economy. Note that there is also an older A330-300 aircraft, configured with 12 first class seats, 24 business class seats (but only angled flat) and 223 economy seats.

We were flying from London to Colombo, with a 2.5-hour stopover at Hamad International Airport in Doha (DOH). Flight QR660 departs at 0225 and lands at 0945 at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), with a stated flight duration of 4 hours 50 minutes (ours was shorter at 4 hours 25 minutes).

CHECK-IN As we were transiting through Doha, we did not have to pass through security or customs; our baggage was sent directly through to Colombo. We had been given a boarding ticket and luggage receipt in London. Passengers require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Sri Lanka. You should apply a few days before travel and approval normally takes about 24 hours.

Hamad International Airport is an integrated facility, meaning that passengers can arrive, transfer and depart in the same terminal building. While our transit was only 2.5 hours, the airport offers various tours for those with transit times of eight hours or more. These include discovering attractions such as the Corniche promenade and the Museum of Islamic Art, or the chance to play a six-hole Championship Course golf game at the Education City Golf Club. Passengers with a transit of four hours or more can also take part in on-site tours - from discovering the airport's art installations to games of squash and a simulated golf game.

THE LOUNGE We landed in the South terminal so had access to the AI Mourjan Business Lounge, which is open to first and business class passengers flying with Qatar or Oneworld airlines. Note that business class Lite passengers do not have complimentary access.