Doha Qartar airport lounges
We will have a 9 ½ layover at the Doha airport on our way over to JRO next summer.
We splurged and booked business class which, I believe, should give us access to the Al Mourjan Business Lounge.
Has anyone use that lounge? It appears to be very nice and quite large. We hope to be able to use the showers and catch a nap after flying from Philadelphia in preparation for the flight down to JRO.
Side note: I booked the entire flight itinerary using the Qatar website and saved $2,000 per ticket versus the exact same route via the American Airlines flight.
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Hello, we live near Philly and use Qatar frequently. American now have a codeshare with Qatar and unless it has changed, that means you will be flying out of Philly on an American Airlines plane to Doha. This is a recent change, about a year. The last time we flew with them, we decided to go all the way to JFK to get the Qatar flight. That experience is so much better, way better polite service, meals at your timing etc. in fact, we were due to fly that route tomorrow but we had to cancel our tour.
Just recently, we decided next time we take that route, we will just fly from Philly to save the hassle of a limo back and forth to JFK, going is ok, but coming back, that long car ride home when you are tired is a pain. The actual seating on the American plane is nice, but the service etc, no comparison with Qatar
So we have used that lounge a lot. But you could book a room for a few hours in one of the two airport hotels. We have done that once. It worked out very well with a drop key checkout. Also we just found this on a website which you could look into
Complimentary Transit Accommodation: If you are a Qatar Airways passenger and have a transit time of between 8 and 24 hours with no shorter flight connections available, you may be eligible for complimentary transit accommodation, according to the airline's website. Check the airline's website for eligibility and booking procedures.
If you find you can take up this perk, please let us all know here!
I used Qatar when we went to India last year. There were two business class options: one gave access to the lounge and the other didn't. You might check and see if the ticket you bought gives you lounge access.
I was told that "R" class tickets get lounge access, while "P" class tickets do not. The P class tickets are referred to as "Business-Lite". With a P class ticket you can purchase lounge access separately.
I'm going from memory here, but I think that with an R ticket we had to purchase advance seat assignment to guarantee that we could sit together. Otherwise seat assignment would be at check-in and we'd get what was left, maybe not together.
That was the status in late 2024. You should check to see what the rules are now.
Update: I found this on their website. https://www.qatarairways.com/tradeportal/en/NewFareFamilies.html
I've flown Qatar to India and Egypt. I booked using Amex Platinum International Program...the fares were cheaper than booking directly on the Qatar website. Access to the Al Mourjan lounge was included. The Louis Vuitton lounge directly across the entrance to the Al Mourn lounge is also a treat for Qatar 1st & Biz Class customers. I fly from New Orleans to Dallas on American and then the Qatar flight from Dallas to Doha and Doha to the connecting city. I agree with British...the service is un-matched. I would go slightly out of my way to have the Qatar service on the longer flight leg.
Depending on the arrival time, you may consider a tour of Doha during your 9-hr layover. I think the tour is sponsored/coordinated by the airport which eliminates any concerns about making your connecting flight.
Another note about Doha airport… the security is the tightest I have seen anywhere including Israel. This is especially true coming back to the US. Example, you will have to take big cameras out of their bags, if you have a cover on your iPad, you will have to take it off.
We also book with Amex Pparinum
Mike,
Regarding Qatar Airlines, I booked directly with their website. The itinerary includes American Airlines (a codeshare partner) from Philly to Doha then on to JRO and return via Doha then on to Philly.
Seat selection was made for the Qatar flights but the American seats could not be confirmed on the Qatar site.
A message indicated that “seats would be assigned at check-in”. That worried me quite a bit.
I then went to the American Airlines website, used the AA confirmation code found on the Qatar ticket to select my seats. Now I know my wife and I will be sitting together the entire trip.
My experience is that even when you chose your seats, they might change them. When we travel, we do our own thing so don’t communicate with each other thot much, the goal is often to sleep as much as possibly anyway. The seating is far apart on AA or in separation cubicles on Qatar, so you can’t communicate unless you pick the ones with the double bed. Worse case scenario, having very young kids crying near you which has happened a couple of times recently.
So TrippleT, did you figure out which tickets you have, can you use the lounge.
British, I understand about sitting together on long flights. As long as my wife and I are in the same isle, she's OK (help with getting her luggage in the overhead bins since she's on the small size).
As for young crying kids, that's what the sound-reducing headphones and Benedryl are for.
I had an online chat with Qatar yesterday and they confirmed that my tickets include the Al Mourjan Business lounge. I would feel better if I had something confirming that besides the boarding passes. (I printed out the chat conversation in case it's needed).
So I think we're all set. Thanks to everyone here for your valuable feedback.
Ok TrippleTime, you may not know I’m a huge fan of a small backpack as my carry on, especially for my Africa tours, so even though I’m short and even have to stand on a seat sometimes, I can still get my bag out myself.
I live by one simple rule: Happy Wife, Happy Life.
I’m married over 35 years and hubby still needs to learn that.
A note about Qatar pre-paid assigned seats. We prepaid assigned seats for a quad on Qatar last for last August flying to Botswana leaving from SFO. I checked online our seat assignments the night before and all was well. I was the first in line to check at the airport the next day and lo and behold, all of our seats were scrambled and not together! I didn’t notice this (although I should have) until we were boarding. Eventually, I look to see where we were supposed to be seated, and it was another family of 4. This didn’t sit well with me and when we arrived home, I submitted a complaint. Long story short, Qatar explained in a lengthy email, under the rules of carriage, seat assignments can be changed anytime under their discretion. I did end up sitting together with my husband because the stewardess found two seats next to one another.
Unless things have changed, the only bag you can take on safari is the duffle and a small backpack for in the vehicle, so any big wheelie carry on will be sent ahead for several days with your big suitcase. There is no room in the small planes.
When we flew business on Qatar through Doha last year, we booked a room at the onsite hotel through the Qatar website. We also had about a nine hour layover. Flying business, Qatar picked up the tab. One of their perks. Not sure it applies if you fly in on American. Like British mentioned, I too would try my best to fly out on Qatar Qsuites, even if it meant traveling to a different airport.
Kazoo I was wondering what level of Business Class tickets you booked that "included" the hotel room cost? When we flew on Qatar to/from our Egypt: Jewel of the Nile tour I found that Qatar Airlines has several different "Business Class" tickets. The lowest (cheapest level) did not even include lounge access in Doha. The most expensive "Business Class" tickets included things like chauffeured rides to/from the airport, etc. (that level of Business Class or one close to it might have had the included hotel room option).
We booked a "Business Class" ticket that included lounge access, but not things like the chauffeured airport transportation. The lounge in Doha was very nice. The Qsuites, food, and service on the flights was tremendous.
Our experience with Qatar was in 2019, so things may be way different now.
I think it’s Emirates that offers the chauffeur
Back in the day Virgin Atlantic did that, my husband used them for business in England and it was a 100 mile ride from our house to Heathrow. I went with him to Japan and the chauffeur was French…I was in heaven before we even got on the plane 😀
British - In 2018/2019 when I booked our tickets on Qatar. There were about 4 or 5 different levels of Business Class. One of those, I know included chauffeur services. I think we selected either level 2 or 3 with one being the lowest level (no lounge access) and the high number offering the services like chaffeur, hotel stays, spa services, etc.
Emirates likely offers those types of services as well. We are flying Emirates for the first time next year when we go on the South Africa: Elegant Adventure tour.
Interesting We have never booked with them directly, always through Amex platinum and we’ve never had problems getting into any of the lounges at Doha. There are some nice small quiet ones which still offer great food etc. They are nice for shorter layovers when you don’t have time for sleep or showers
Sam, you will LOVE Tauck's South Africa: Elegant Adventure tour. It was a trip of a lifetime! Our TD was an Anthropology Professor which was an asset to our travels, she was incredible! Have fun!
Mary Margaret McClure...I agree. The tour is so much more fascinating when the TD has deep knowledge of the area. This was the case for the Russia and Baltics tour..The TD had a degree in Russian history. Her depth of knowledge was amazing and it truly made the long bus rides enjoyable
Was there in February. Best lounge I have ever been in. They serve you like you are in a restaurant, and the food was fantastic. I dream of going back.