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 ( click here )
[ Bonus: Free Doha Stopover Hotel Review: Safir Hotel ]
QR 257 Doha to Ankara ( Economy ) Airbus A320-200 ( you are here )
DOHA HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - DOH
As the hotel shuttle dropped me to the airport 3 hours 15 minutes before my flight, I thought that I was going to have a lot of time looking at stores & boutiques but plans didn't go as expected.
The flower statue located at the check-in area. I was already checked-in for my flight so I have directly headed to the passport control.
Hamad Airport ad while waiting for my turn at the passport check
Passport Check & Security:
Being similar to the arrivals level, the departures level passport check was also processed slowly. I waited 30-35 minutes for this control even thought 10-15 booths were open at that time. Luckily, there was no queue at the security checkpoint so that took less than 3 minutes. I was in airside 2 hours 45 minutes before scheduled departure time.
The Teddy Bear was visible after both checkpoints were cleared.
FIDS. My flight was listed on the 5th screen at that time
The food court. Burger King was overcrowded as usual but the other options were not packed.
I chose to have a cold drink and a muffin at Starbucks which is located at concourse B. The prices were not that expensive for an airport as I paid $10 for a Frappuccino and a muffin.
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After wandering around the huge duty free area, it was time to go to my gate.
The Mickey statue
Boarding Pass
BOARDING QR 257
Boarding was announced 1 hours prior to scheduled takeoff and I was at the gate 55 minutes before scheduled departure, but they were not letting passengers to board the aircraft at that time.
Zone signs were visible as it would make boarding more efficient.
40 minutes before scheduled departure boarding started with Business Class passengers and Oneworld Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald members. An interesting fact that as the ground staff keeps the small part of the boarding pass, Oneworld status cannot be seen in the larger part of the boarding pass so passengers should show their OW FF card for priority boarding, as BA hasn't provided a physical card to me, I showed my mobile card and the ground staff asked me " What is this sir? ", I answered as " a mobile Oneworld frequent flyer card ", after the small conversation she welcomed me onboard and I was the first one to board the aircraft.
Another view of the aircraft from the gate
QR 257 DOHA to ANKARA
I was welcomed by two of the crews while boarding than I headed to my seat 10F.
Seat:
This aircraft ( A7-ADC ) was one of the oldest A320's of QR. That's why the seat looked a bit old and there was no personal TV's equipped to these seats, but it's nice to have a blanket & a pillow for a 3h30min flight. In addition seat 10E was empty and expertflyer showed it blocked instead of available.
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The aircraft was installed with the old overhead panels
Headphones were provided which could be found at the seat pocket.
We pushed back 10-15 minutes before our scheduled departure time so that was nice to know that we would arrive early.
The safety video was played from the overhead monitors.
After the safety video, refreshment towels were distributed.
B concourse and remote stands
A7-AIA ,which I flown him 2 times in the past 8 months, was getting prepared for his flight to Amritsar.
A7-BDC was also taxiing to the runway, this aircraft would serve QR 163 to CPH for the day.
Concourse B, an A320, an A330 and a 77W visible at that time
This A320 had just arrived from Salalah at that time.
Emiri Terminal
We would depart from runway 34R
A7-ADJ is landing as QR266 from Larnaca
After that A320 had landed, it was our turn to takeoff.
Some islands were visible during takeoff
During takeoff the video about the child care program was shown
Passing over the city of Basra
After the seatbelt signs has been turned off, menus were distributed.
LUNCH - QR 257 DOHA to ANKARA
A short while after the menus were distributed the meal service had started. First, I opted for the pasta but then the cabin crew told me that pasta wasn't loaded today so I went for the lamb.
The lamb machboos was served with rice and onions. The tray contained a seasonal salad, a mango cheesecake, bread, butter, Babybel cheese, a small Godiva chocolate and a small bottle of water.
I have slept for the rest of the flight to I hadn't have to chance to enjoy tea or coffee.
IFE - QR 257 DOHA to ANKARA
As this aircraft wasn't equipped with PTV's, a movie was shown from the overhead screens for the first 3 hours of the flight and then the route map was available. Today the movie "Avengers: Infinity War" was present.
Also there was a panel at each seat that allowed passengers to switch to music channels as well.
The seat pocket contained the Extravaganza Duty Free catalogue as inflight shopping was available during this flight.
The August 2018 edition of the Oryx magazine was present onboard
QR route map
QR Europe, Middle East & Northern Africa route map
Technical information of our aircraft
And an article promoting Thailand
As it is one of the most important things during the flight, the safety card was there too.
Descending and Taxiing to the Gate:
I just woke up here while we were almost landing.
Lot's of AJA aircraft at the domestic terminal
TC-ANP parked at gate 115 and getting ready for his flight to Antalya
We were going to arrive at gate 118 today.
Qatar Airways caters from Sancak Inflight Services at ESB. Just a quick note that, in my opinion Sancak Catering is better than Turkish Do&Co.
ANKARA ESENBOĞA AIRPORT - ESB
Our aircraft from the jetbridge
A last view of our aircraft
The departures level was visible
I cleared the passport control within a minute but it took time that luggages arrived.
An arrival duty free store was present
Our luggage would be arriving at carousel 14, my bags arrived 15 minutes after I was in the baggage claim hall.
International arrival FIDS
And this trip has came to an end, thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed it. I would also like to mention that my next report would be my first Business Class report so stay tuned.
