Think twice before flying Qatar Air

Finally on 25th November 2009, our visit to England came to an end. I was most eager to get to the airport and to get home. It was quite late before we were called to board the plane but half way through; we were asked to return to the waiting room. Due to some miscommunication, the plane was not ready for takeoff. We waited and waited and waited and was given some refreshments and waited.

Finally we were herded off to another gate to catch another plane which was scheduled two hours later than ours to Doha. We were assured that Qatar Air will honour all our connecting arrangements.

So off we flew to Qatar. After don't know how many hours flying, ( my sense of time all screwed up) we reached the Doha Airport at 2am. We were informed that our flight (scheduled 1.15am) had left without us. The whole lot of us were shocked. There were others going to Manila, Karachi .... who had also missed their flights. Worse of all, there were at least two desperate parties who needed to attend funerals.

After a long wait, we were issued tickets to our accomodation as our flight was the next day at 1.15am. Off we went to wait for the shuttle to send us to Movenpick Hotel. There was a group of very angry people who had been waiting for the more than 45minutes for their shuttle.

We waited and waited....after half an hour an upset Chinaman marched to the reception and called the hotel himself. He was connected to the driver and while he was talking a shuttle drove in. The driver gave some excuse that there was roadblock and had trouble with license etc...but it was all bluff. He seemed upset when Chinaman tegur him so he drove in a rather angry manner. (It's very rare to see my Chinaman upset but when he is.....)

We reached Movenpick in less than twenty minutes....grand hotel. I think all the hotels in Doha are more or less like this. Again we were the last to be given our room keys. We were each given a room as KC didn't inform them that we are husband and wife. Up we went to our rooms. I couldn't open mine and KC's room wasn't cleaned.

Down we went to complain. We were immediately issued new keys to two suites on the 24th floor!!!! When we opened the door to the suite, we were awed by the largeness and spaciousness. It was past 4.30am. We were dead tired. I didn't sleep a wink during the flight. We called room service for breakfast (they start breakfast at 5.30am) before shutting off for the day.

The suite and the treatment we were given in the hotel sort of made up for all the hassle. We were served hand and foot. There was so much food during lunch and dinner but by dinner time; I had not much appetite. I just wanted to get home.

Finally, finally at 11pm were we sent to the airport. Thank God; all went smoothly and right on time. I was informed by the air stewardess that such incident is a normal occurence for Qatar Air. So think again before you fly with Qatar Air. Not everyone may have the privilege of a suite.