SNAPSHOT: Qatar Airways 302 Helsinki to Doha – Business Class

Time for another snapshot – this time focusing on the passenger experience on Qatar Airways 302 between Helsinki and Doha.

And yes – this is in business class.

For those of you who are new to the blog:

• Trip Reports – These are full deep-dive reports taking you into the experience and the small things… as well as the big things!
• Snapshots – These are bite-sized reviews that show you the basic product in some nice gentle headlines (and normally, only images shot on the phone)

Check-in/transfer

As my bags were checked all the way to Singapore a, I did not have to leave the secure zone at Helsinki airport. However, I did have to cross from the Schengen area to Non-Schengen and clear immigration.

The lounge

Qatar Airways utilises the Finnair Lounge in the Non-Schengen part of the airport. The main lounge is still under redevelopment, with a lot less space than previously offered. At peak times, the lounge is too small, and cannot handle the loads presented.

Boarding

Boarding was conducted from a bus gate. The bus was loaded with priority passengers, assistance passengers and group 1 passengers for the ride out onto the tarmac.

The plane

It’s an Airbus A350-900. This variant is configured with the original Collins Aerospace SuperDiamond seating (as opposed to QSuites).

The seat

In business class, this aircraft is fitted with the Collins Aerospace SuperDiamond Seat, finished in Qatar Airways house colours.

An amenity kit was at seat

Usb and mains outlets are provided

Seat controls

The cabin has no overhead bins in the middle of the cabin in business class, with the relegated to the edges.

In flight Entertainment

A THALES Aerospace Avant IFE system installed. This has a section of content onboard, varying from comedy to dramas to films. Both the screen and the controller were touch capable.

Connectivity

Inmarsat GX Aviation is installed (via Qatar airways roaming partners. There were issues connecting to it for the first few hours of the flight.

One hours free access was provisioned, with further access chargeable at a flat USD$10.

Food and drink

With a five hour flight time, a single service was offered, with snack if needed. The service offered was a “dine on demand” service as opposed to a fixed service pattern.

Beef starter with Morbo reading the news. 

Lamb Byriani.

Landing

The plane landed safely at Hamad International Airport, and taxied over to a hard stand.

A premium bus was waiting to transfer business class passengers from the aircraft to the terminal.

the aircraft landed in Doha, and was directed to a hard stand. Premium psssengers were directed to their own shuttle bus for transfer to the terminal

The views

The full review of Qatar Airways 302 will be written soon!

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