The Qatar Airways experience

By Rochelle Wolk
This item appears on page 28 of the May 2017 issue.

I flew from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Los Angeles in business class on Qatar Airways in February 2016, purchasing the flight with American Airlines miles. I just had to write about it.

For sleeping, the seat on the Qatar flight reclined flat. The attendants provided both a mattress pad and a sparkling-white sheet along with two spotless and very comfortable pillows in cotton cases and a quilt wrapped in a white duvet. The cabin staff made up my bed, and after I had eight hours of sound sleep, they unmade it so the bedding would not be in my way.

The menu included many different and unusual courses, any and all of which could be requested at any time during the flight. A lamb chop I requested, after waking from a long and sound sleep and while other passengers were breakfasting, was cooked properly and served along with a number of breakfast and dinner side dishes. 

Trays of food, including lovely and tasty pastries, chocolates and Middle Eastern snacks as well as beverages, were available at all times.

Each time I left my seat, a member of the staff asked if I needed anything or required any assistance. Their attentiveness was astonishing. Attendants regularly checked restrooms for cleanliness. 

I’ve been an active traveler for many years and have flown business and first class many times, paying in cash or miles, on both American and international carriers. I have never flown more comfortably on such a long flight as I did on Qatar.

ROCHELLE WOLK

Piedmont, CA