You know when someone tries to connect with you on LinkedIn and instead of sending you an InMail to formally introduce themselves, they lie to LinkedIn and indicate that they’ve “done business with you at so&so company” you’ve never even heard of.
There should be an option to respond with “No, you fucking liar.”
Just saying *shrug* :)
Very few things get me excited about traveling. The saying, “it isn’t the destination, it is the journey” has NEVER sat in agreement with me. Don’t get me wrong, I like seeing different countries as much as the next globetrotter but there is a reason why I generally prefer to travel alone. I tend to be that overgrown sulky frustrated child growling “are we there yet?” through gritted teeth in the vehicle. Therefore, it is better I do this sulking suffering in solace then dampen the mood of those travelling with me.
However, today’s post isn’t a vent. I am writing this post for my favorite air travel company that I feel deserves a shout-out and some love today as I appreciate the final hours of my brief vacation.
When I think Five Star Airlines, I think Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific and so on. All of which I have had the privilege of experiencing in my past travels, but the pleasure of first hand paying customer experience I’ve had in recent years has led me to understand and truly agree why Qatar Airways has been voted as World’s Best Airline.
Since 2008, I’ve made it a point to try and visit New York at least once a year. The city holds a very personal and very special place in my heart. I have loved ones who live there and like every other creature, I am happiest when I’m around my loved ones, regardless where in the world they are.
Like most travelers, my first step to looking for flights is to go online in the hopes of the best deal. Usually I am not too fussy when it comes to short trips around Southeast Asia for the odd quick weekend getaways. However, it is a completely different animal when it comes to my long-haul flights. For me, it IS the destination – so get me there! And make the journey as painless as possible. PLEASE. I have no fear of flying; I just hate long-haul flights.
I first stumbled upon Qatar Airways in early 2010 on a travel website. I was hoping to find the best option possible for a long haul flight. Being in NYC is a joy; the long-haul journey itself is the necessary evil. I researched on five star airlines and tried to find a flight that I would be willing to spend on for the dates I wanted. Long-haul flights do not come cheap; we all know that, so I figured the least I could do was seek out the most ideal investment in comfort.
That is where Qatar Airways steps up and stands out from the rest in leaps and bounds. As of this moment, I have been on 15 Qatar Airways flights. I am currently in layover before getting on my 16th. There is nothing pleasant to be said about sitting in economy class for what seems like a lifetime but an accommodating cabin crew, endless in-flight entertainment, pleasantly surprising comfort and food that actually tastes good, makes a world of a difference.
Service with heart
Like the rest of us muggles, being a cattle class passenger is all I’ve ever been able to afford. That being said, it is a shame when five star airlines’ cabin crew treat you with the reluctance of having to face cattle. I don’t blame another human being for being irritable when working in the service industry, but darling – you signed up for the job. You want to look pretty and travel the word; that is the job perk, the job itself IS making the passengers’ experience as comfortable as possible. I have had cabin crew from my own home country’s world class airline shoot me attitude when I asked for help to find cabin bag space. I am vertically challenged (short) and it is not my fault that some passenger before me decided to take up all the space in the overhead compartment above my assigned seat. As a cabin crew, you do not retort with “well, you should have turned up earlier” to a passenger! All I ask is for help, to see if there’s anywhere else I can place my carry-on luggage during take-off and landing.
My experience with Qatar Airways cabin crew has always been pleasant and I greatly appreciate this. I had a flight attendant who was apologetic on behalf of another highly unpleasant and demanding customer. It wasn’t the flight attendant’s fault that other passengers had filled up the luggage compartment above me but she was apologetic that I was inconvenienced, and immediately looked for another compartment space nearby for me.
The above illustrates the exact same scenario for me as a passenger but sadly different responses from two world class airlines’ cabin crews. Working for a five star airline means providing five star quality services to your customers equally in terms of basic courtesy and respect, not an entitlement to be snobbish towards Economy; only saving your enthusiasm for Business, First and Cabin Class passengers. Some flight attendants forget this. Thankfully the crews I’ve experienced on Qatar Airways don’t. I’ve even met some who would chat with me briefly when I have trouble sleeping over long-haul flights and always happy to bring an endless supply of refreshments to keep me hydrated in the air.
Happy, not hungry
I am a grouch when hungry and “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”, doesn’t just apply to men. When travelling, you tend to have to brave overpriced food for microwaved cardboard taste. You know what I’m talking about. Thankfully, Qatar Airways have yet to disappoint me. As with any airline, you get your option to choose from vegetarian, Halal, etc. Everyone has their own personal preference of what they like to eat and what they don’t but from my personal experience, I tend to have been mostly spared from the Russian Roulette of something on my tray that I don’t like when eating on a Qatar Airways plane. I notice they make changes to the entrée menu from time to time so it’s not like I’m always eating the same food but there are a few constants to the in between refreshments that I can easily point out as my personal favorite highlights. For example, the beef sandwiches! It seems to be an endless supply of humble little bread rolls put together with a touch of butter, peppered beef pastrami (I think) and veggie. I am one happy bunny! Also, if you can’t sleep on your long haul flight, you may be pleasantly surprised sometimes with an offering of a mini cup of ice-cream. There are a couple of times where my watching a movie on the plane has been pleasantly interrupted by Ben & Jerry’s. Need I say more? =)
Heaven like comfort within reach
I have saved the best and my most favorite part of the journey for last, The Oryx Lounge. When travelling long-haul, there is a high likelihood of stop-overs. These can range anywhere from a decent 3 hour wait (which you can easily kill with DFS shopping or finding a spot in the airport to sit and read), to a mind-numbing 8 hour layover. I have said from the get-go that I am a reluctant traveler. I HATE the waiting with a passion. I hate the running from one corner of the airport to another trying to look for decent Wi-Fi or a socket to plug in my laptop. I hate the having to figure out how much purchasing a sandwich in foreign currency will cost me.
The Oryx Lounge at the Doha International Airport for me is the crown jewel of my experience when flying with Qatar Airways. For a nominal fee of USD$38, any passenger can have a 6 hour block access to an endless offering of refreshments (that include fruits, soup, sandwiches, beverages), free Wi-Fi, absolutely clean and comfortable seating area complete with a section of sleeping chairs, shower facilities and even spots for you to plug in your energy deprived devices. And yes, the staff here offers service with a smile too.
Spacious seating area in the lounge look like they go for miles…
Take a nap between flights…
Not a very good photo but those are my favorite little baby beef sandwiches. They have baby bottles of Tabasco too and yes, a Nespresso machine for us caffeine junkies.
I don’t claim to say my trip experiences with them are always perfect. There will always be factors that differ in each situation; a flight attendant having a bad day who isn’t keen on smiling so much, screaming babies and loud chatty families in the seat row next to me or a lavatory that’s situated right in front of my first ever Exit Row seat flying to New York but happens to not be working on that day. Yet Qatar Airways do a marvelous job in achieving close to perfection and I am not the first passenger to sing their praises.
I still don’t like the thought of traveling regardless destination, but this airline has thankfully made my long-haul journeys as comfortable as possible which eases the stress of “I wish I was there already” when getting to my destination, and helps cushion the blow of “I can’t believe my trip is over so fast” when coming back.
Until next time, thank you Qatar Airways.
www.newyearsevemovie.warnerbros.com
My favorite part of the movie New Year’s Eve - Hilary Swank’s speech
If you don’t know what it means, go look it up. If you are homophobic, then please delete me from your timeline. Regardless who have come out of the closet or not, I love my friends dearly - no matter what color of the rainbow they represent & I will fiercely defend them like family, because my real friends are the family I have picked for myself. ♥ Besides, my gay friends seem to be a lot better at keeping it real & knowing how to have fun ;)
Note: All the statements I’ve shared throughout this post are solely my opinion based on my findings and teachings of Islam, the culture I’ve grown up in as well as my fundamental beliefs as a human being and Muslimah. Any disagreements aren’t needed for discussion for arguments sake, taking into…
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