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 ( click 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 ( you are here )
[ Bonus: Free Doha Stopover Hotel Review: Safir Hotel ]
QR 257 Doha to Ankara ( Economy ) Airbus A320-200 ( click here )
Route Overview ( MEL-DOH )
Pax for this flight
First Class: No first passengers on board
Business Class: %85-90
Economy Class: %85-90
ONLINE CHECK-IN
Online check-in wasn't available 48 hours before departure and an error code appeared both from the website and the mobile app.
But an upgrade offer was shown at the manage my booking section.
I have re-attempted one hour later and this time the system told me that I couldn't check-in online at that moment because there was more than 48 hours for my connecting flight to depart.
The next day online check-in worked.
I haven't changed my pre-booked seats.
The night before my flight an upgrade offer for the DOH-ESB was offered.
Tracking the outbound flight
A7-API, one of the newest additions to the fleet. I would fly this bird for the second time.
Luckily, I didn't experience a traffic jam as there is construction on the Airport freeway.
MELBOURNE TULLAMARINE AIRPORT - MEL
I had arrived to Terminal 2 at 20:00 which means that I had 1 hours 35 minutes until the flight takes-off.
FIDS
Most of the check-in desks were closed 1h30min before departure as most of the passengers had completed their check-in. There were 2 Priority check-in desks open and 1 Economy at that time. As I was a Oneworld Ruby member at that time, I used the Business Class check-in which I had only waited for 2 minutes.
Security & Passport Control:
Priority Is not offered for OWR so I headed Into the regular line which took me 20 minutes to complete security because they were too slow, but the passport check dured less than 5 minutes.
Due to the time I had just headed to the gate.
Boarding Pass:
GATE AREA & BOARDING
Gate 9 was our gate for the day and the aircraft was visible at that time.
Captain Andrés preparing for the flight.
Another view of the aircraft
There was three different areas to sit at the gate. One for families for children, one for groups 1&2 and one for groups 3&4&5. Business Class passengers boarded the aircraft from the lounge level.
Boarding for Groups 1&2 started at the same time with OWR, OWS and OWE passengers which was 50 minutes before departure. Just a quick information that QR accepts OWR passengers to use a priority boarding lane as some other OW carriers don't.
The aircraft from the gate.
QR 905 MELBOURNE to DOHA
I have boarded the aircraft from door 2L, and used the staircase to reach my seat.
Welcome on board.
Seat:
The seat was slightly different from my previous QR 904 flight but it had the same comfortability. The legroom was quite good for an Economy Class seat.
The scheme of the seat was different from A7-APD or A7-APE which I experienced on my previous flights with QR. There is no remote control on this type of seat but the power supply is over the tray table instead of under the seat. Also, it's possible to notice that the tray tables are different.
In addition, the PTV's are bigger than the other A380 seats.
The seat pocket contained a personal amenity kit and headsets.
Before Takeoff:
Our route today
An EK A388 ( A6-EOD ) would serve EK 407 tonight to DXB was parked next door.
Shortly after this EK A388 was push-backed an EY 77W was visible.
At that time, refreshment towels were distributed.
Later on another EK aircraft, this time EK 408 from DXB arrived and parked to the gate next to us.
Then we started our push-back process as the safety video was played.
A QF 738 taxiing.
VH-YIV a VA 738 arrived from Nadi.
Were taxiing to the runway
A last view of the terminal
We had just took of
Route map as we gain altitude.
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Just after the seatbelt signs has been turned off, menus were distributed.
Dinner would be served after takeoff.
And, breakfast would served before landing.
And, the beverage menu
MAIN MEAL/DINNER - QR 905 MELBOURNE to DOHA
There were three options for the main meal service: chicken, beef and pasta as usual. I went for the mushroom tortellini which was served in a tomato and olive sauce.
Besides the main meal, the tray contained a salad dish, a chocolate & orange mousse cake, bread, butter, cheese, a small Cadbury chocolate and a small water.
After the meal, tea/coffee was served as usual.
Water was provided before the cabin lights were darkened.
IFE - QR 905 MELBOURNE to DOHA
This aircraft had a larger screen than my previous flight ( QR904 ) but didn't have a remote control so every command that was given was done on the touchscreen. Also at this aircraft, the power supply was underneath the IFE screen instead of under the seat. The entertainment system was the same as the previous flight and contained the same contents. Today I have watched 2 movies as it was a long flight.
It was interesting that this aircraft also had the July edition of the Oryx magazine. By the way, this report contains a flight which departed on 14 Aug 2018.
QR route map
QR Oceania route map
Technical information about the aircraft
An article about Qatar - Visa free entry for more than 80 nationalities
Safety card
Wi-Fi was available during this flight. 8 MB of free data was being provided to each passenger.
I don't know why, but my device failed to connect to the system while we were over the Indian Ocean, maybe it was a technical error that occurred at that time and disappeared later during the flight
MIDFLIGHT SERVICES - QR 905 MELBOURNE to DOHA
The same movie refreshments as the outbound flight was served as water, orange juice and rubbish collection runs were made during the flight
Some route information as the first refreshment service was made
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For the midflight light meal, there was a choice between a chicken sandwich and a vegetarian one. I have chosen the chicken sandwich which was served with a small cake.
The sandwich provided at the DOH-MEL sector was better than this one but this one is also above average considering all my flight experiences.
Crew:
There were two cabin members serving the upper deck Economy cabin. Both of them were polite and nice to passengers. Every time when the seatbelt sign has been turned on they warned passengers which had unfastened seatbelts at that time and this means that they cared about our safety. In addition, I had a small conversation with one of the crews when I was waiting my turn for the restroom.
BREAKFAST - QR 905 MELBOURNE to DOHA
There were three selections for this breakfast meal. Omelettes, frittatas and pancakes were the options. My first choice was the pancakes with sultanas, cinnamon and apple compote which I've enjoyed.
The tray contained, the main dish, some fruits, a peach&mango yoghurt, a croissant, butter, strawberry jam and a small water.
The last tea & coffee before landing
Flight information at that time
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Before Landing:
Opened my window blind
A video about HIA and another video about Qatar was shown from the PTV's
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Just before we started our descend
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Descending
Some information about Qatar which can be found from the IFE. It would be nice to see some of the monuments stated here.
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Rear camera
Just aprroaching
The airport is visible
We had landed to DOH
Started taxiing
Doha ATC can be seen
A7-ALT getting ready for his flight SIN
This aircraft would serve QR 725, service to Chicago
A7-BAS is getting prepared for his flight to Manila this morning
Another QR 77W parked at the C concourse, QR 960 to DPS
Arrived to gate B1
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By the way, connecting flight information wasn't available at the time we landed.
DOHA HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT-DOH
Last view of the aircraft from the gate
I had almost 11 hours for my next flight so I have headed to the hotel desk to arrange something during my stopover. After a 20 minute wait at the queue the representative checked my documents and asked me would I prefer the airport hotel or a hotel in the city. I chose the city hotel option.
Later on these documents were given to me
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It's time to head to the arrivals level to meet the hotel representative there.
A last view of the Teddy Bear from the transfer area.
The immigration line wasn't that crowded when I arrived, but it took 45 minutes to reach the arrivals hall which is a long time. A lady with small children argued with an officer because of the long wait-time but the police told him that due to the high departure traffic, most of the booths in the arrival level was closed at that time.
After my handbag was scanned, I met my hotel representative, which told me to sit until we wait some more passengers which would be transferred to the same hotel. After another 30 minute wait for hotel guests a transfer bus arrived and we were in the hotel within 15 minutes.
BONUS - SAFIR HOTEL DOHA
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I was checked-in within 10 minutes and went to my room. At the reception, the employee asked me if I preferred a smoking or non-smoking room and a queen or two beds. I went for a non-smoking queen room.
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The room was comfortable and it was OK for a 5 hour stay. Due to the short length of my stay neither breakfast or lunch was included to the room.
Bathroom: There was a problem with the bathroom that water leaked from the shower cabin to the room due to a problem at the shower pipes. It was awful to have a small lake inside the room. But, the amenities which the hotel was quite good for a 4 star hotel.
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Outside view from the hotel room. It is understandable that the hotel isn't in a central location.
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At the room free tea&coffee was available for guests.
Room service options
Also I have posted this FR from this hotel.
As I was the only one assigned to the 12:00 shuttle, the employee at the reception knew my name before I arrived there. Later on, I was invited to the shuttle and this hotel trip has come to an end.
Thanks for reading.
