BACKGROUND Qatar Airways deploys a small number of ex-Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on its double daily Doha-Hong Kong route. The Oneworld carrier also offers a first-class cabin on the A380, and plans to launch a new first-class suite with the arrival of new aircraft.
THE LOUNGE I was looking forward to the Qatar Airways AI Safwa First Class Lounge. (Oneworld Emerald status holders are not granted access, which is unusual.)
The lounge has a striking design, with art and water displays more reminiscent of a modern museum than an airport lounge. However, there were surprisingly few seating options in the main area or by the bar. Large private shower rooms double as spa treatment suites, with towels and other amenities. The restaurant also offers à la carte dining, paired with Champagne and wines.
BOARDING First-class passengers may board directly through the All Safwa lounge. You take a lift to a private limousine, or first-class bus, which takes you to the aircraft. I settled into seat 1A for the 7-hour 45-minute flight. The cabin director came by to introduce herself and offer pre-departure drinks with olives, cheese and a cold towel.
Bu hikaye Business Traveller UK dergisinin September 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Business Traveller UK dergisinin September 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Adventures in Albania - From paranoid dictatorship to dream travel destination, why the Balkan nation is ready for its moment in the sun
Over the past few years, tourism has shot up stratospherically; recent figures from the European Travel Commission show it's grown 86 per cent since 2019. Its GDP per capita has also been increasing, and last year stood at US$8,800, while the average monthly salary is now around 84,000 lek (£704). Foreign direct investment is also on the rise, with countries including Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands targeting sectors such as energy, mining, information and real estate to a value of around US$1.5 billion in 2022, according to UNCTAD's World Investment Report. Not bad for a country which used to depend on foreign food aid.
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