Review of Qatar Airways flight from Ankara to Doha in Economy

This trip would include these flights
PC 2672 Istanbul-SAW to Ankara ( Economy ) Airbus A320neo, Codeshare: AZ 6089 ( click here )
[ Bonus: ibis Hotel Ankara Airport - Review ]
QR 314 Ankara to Doha ( Economy ) Airbus A321-200 ( you are here )
QR 904 Doha to Melbourne ( Economy ) Airbus A380-800, Codeshare: BA 6374, IB 978, S7 4735 ( click here )
QR 905 Melbourne to Doha ( Economy ) Airbus A380-800, Codeshare: BA 6375, IB 979, S7 4736 ( click here )
[ Bonus: Free Doha Stopover Hotel Review: Safir Hotel ]
QR 257 Doha to Ankara ( Economy ) Airbus A320-200 ( click here )

Route Overview ( ESB-DOH )

Pax for this flight
Business Class: %85-90
Economy Class: %85-90
On this flight, that day, there were mostly passengers transferring to the Far East and Southeast Asia, also some transferring to Melbourne like me as I have also seen them in my next flight.

ONLINE CHECK-IN

It was possible to check-in 48 hours online for both of my flights. That day I have checked-in online from their mobile app.
First, they offered me to upgrade this sector to Business for 480$ which I was not interested.

My journey today

Seat Selection for this flight. Seat 14D and 14E was blocked at that time as I checked expertflyer so I didn't touch my seat. Also row 11 was completely empty and no passengers were seating there today.

Seat Selection for my onward connection. Again, I kept my reserved seat 26K as 26J was blocked at that time.

Even though I completed online check-in, the system didn't allow me to create mobile boarding passes and asked me to see a representative at the airport.

*

The next day I just wanted to check something and another upgrade offer was available, this time for my onward journey to MEL for $1140. The one-leg upgrade fee was expensive than my whole booking and hotel fees so I haven't took it.

A quick note that the gate for my flight was assigned the previous night. ( Screenshot from TAV application )

The morning of my flight, I have got to know that I would fly A7-AIA for the second time. I have last flown him on my DOH-SAW flight this December as this flight was also reported on this website.

ANKARA ESENBOĞA AIRPORT - ESB

After a short taxi ride from my hotel, I had arrived to the international terminal. I was in the building in 5-10 minutes after the security control.

At the entrance, there was a list of airlines flying here. This list wasn't updated.

Check-in
Qatar Airways had 6 check-in booths open today. 4 for Economy, 1 for Online Check-in and 1 for Business & Status passengers. Today I headed to the Business Class line as there was only a family in front of me. The QR supervisor and the check-in agent welcomed me and asked me if I had a special request or wanted to change my seats. I didn't had any requests so the check-in process took 2-3 minutes as I checked-in my luggage and my boarding passes was handed to me.

FIDS for the International Terminal

After check-in I had realized that I didn't have tooth-paste with me for the holiday so I have just headed to Gratis store in the arrivals level. Prices are same as their city store and it's interesting that they sell cold drinks for the same price as their regular stores. Also I bought my newspapers at the stand at the departure level.

Also, there is only one café and a duty free store after passport control, and also I didn't want to go to a lounge as my flight would depart within 1 hour I've had my coffee at Starbucks which is located between the domestic and international terminal.

After I finished my coffee, I headed to the passport check and final security control as no one was in front of me so I have cleared both checks within 5 minutes.
A Pegasus 738 was parked at gate 118 waiting for his flight to DUS.

Boarding pass

BOARDING

I was present at the gate 40 minutes before scheduled departure. At that time boarding had begun. The aircraft was visible from the gate.

Gate 119 today

After I boarded, it was possible to see a SV A330 parked at gate 120.

And, TC-ASP again. Getting ready for his flight to DUS.

Our aircraft

There was a queue near the aircraft door and I have waited 3-4 minutes there. The Oneworld logo at the aircraft.

QR 314 ANKARA to DOHA

I was welcomed by the cabin supervisor and another crew at the door, after that I have proceeded to my seat.
Seat:
This was my seat for a 3h30min flight. It was comfortable enough and had more legroom than most airlines short-haul aircraft. Blankets and pillow was provided for each passenger. By the way, seat 14E rested empty but seat 14D was assigned to someone.

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PTV's were available, but this aircraft was equipped with the old Oryx Entertainment System.

Overhead panel

Headphones were available at seat pockets.

Before Takeoff:
Refreshing towels were distributed by the cabin crew.

The safety video had been monitored from the personal screens.

A Turkish government A319 had been arriving that time.

A PC 738 parked at the apron and waiting his afternoon flight to TEQ.

After the safety video had been shown, one of overhead monitors couldn't be closed but before takeoff it was back in its closed position.

Heading to the runway

The terminal from the runway

VIP terminal

The Saudia A330 was being pushed back as we depart.

Just after takeoff

The airport was visible

Kızılırmak river

After the seatbelt sign has been switched off, menu cards were distributed.

LUNCH - QR 314 ANKARA to DOHA

First I opted for the pasta but they were out of it after 7-8 passengers, so I had the stow cooked beef with onion gravy. There was a chickpea salad, a berry torte, bread, butter, labneh cheese, water and a small chocolate present.

The sauce of the beef was fluid but I was prepared for it as I had my blanket on me.

After the meal service, tea&coffee was served by the cabin crew. I took a coffee with Camus VSOP Elegance.

After the crew collected, the tea&coffee cups we were somewhere over Iran.

IFE - QR 314 ANKARA to DOHA

As each passenger had it's own personal screen, there were also a USB port and a power source at each seat. No Wi-Fi onboard this aircraft

*

I have watched a movie at this flight. Just a quick remark that the route map wasn't showing information about the flight. Only the flight map and the time zone map was available.

There was also the Oryx Magazine in the seat pocket. The Space Issue

In this issue, there was a news article about the four new routes opened last month and they have also indicated that they would serve Gothenburg starting this December.

Qatar Airways flies to more than 150 destinations.

Technical information about our aircraft

In addition to the Oryx Magazine, the Extravaganza Duty Free catalogue was also present. Inflight duty free shopping was available this flight.

Safety card

Another interesting fact about this flight was that I have learnt that QR A321's has 3 lavatories in the rear. As I visited one of them they were clean.

Crew:
They were fine had I had no special contact with them except meal services.
Before Landing:
A video about Hamad Airport and a QR ad was shown

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Arrival information was available but not our arrival gate.

Connecting flight information was posted. Since I had a long connection my onward flight was not listed.

Descending

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Just before landing

DOHA HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - DOH

Concourse A

At the end of the runway

We had just started taxiing

After a short taxi we had parked at gate D1 next to a brand new A359 which would fly to Singapore this evening.

I felt lucky as we arrived to a jetbridge because it was 43C outside.

Last view of the aircraft from the gate.

After that I had proceeded to transfer security D for my onward flight.
Thanks for reading.