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Editor’s Note: As some of you might know, I recently got married. And our first flight as newly weds was on Qatar Airways, who were so generous to upgrade us to Business Class. This is a trip report written by my wife, Prajakta Kharkar Nigam, from the view of a passenger experiencing the Qatar Airways premium service for the first time. Enjoy the read! – Shashank
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I once read a nice quote in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books, “People will forget what you gave them, people will forget what you said to them but they will never forget how you made them feel.” Travelling in Qatar Airways’ flights in business class from Mumbai to Entebbe, via Doha, was indeed an unforgettable feeling.
A World of comfort
I am very sensitive to little details. A tiny imperfection somewhere can totally spoil the experience for me. It is this very sensitivity that Qatar Airways (QR) took good care of.
To begin with, the aesthetic appeal of the flight began with the lovely cabin interior colors – pearlish white and rich dark red, playing so well with the sunlight to create that sense of space and warmth at the same time. Needless to say, as we sank in our seats and once we were done with literally ‘playing’ with the several modes of positioning available.
I specially loved the ‘save’ mode on seat positioning. This is a single button which allows you to ‘save’ the exact position of your seat including variable, customizable recline angles for the back rest, for the foot rest, neck rest and all other parts of the seat. I wish they had those in Bollywood cinema halls (yeah, imagine sitting through a three hour long movie and you’d know why I say that!).
Culinary delights
Well, business class food is always good, and honestly, one of my best experiences had been on the Business Class in Ethiopian Airlines because they served fresh Injera with mouth-watering spicy, gravy lentils. However, QR’s strength in addition to tasty food was, as I said, their attention to detail.
I am just overjoyed when I get fresh warm croissants, and if I get them at 35000 feet above sea level… wohoo! To top it off, the cream cheese was in the shape of the icing I so loved as a kid on my birthday cakes (and was not allowed the rest of the year!). Many airlines or even restaurants can serve you mouth-watering delicacies, but how many can evoke nostalgia, how many made you think of your mom’s baking? QR pulled off that feat for me!
Non-verbal gestures
Our Japanese flight attendant on QR really left an impression on me. This beautiful, elegant lady had such a pleasant and soft demeanor yet absolute efficiency in serving passengers that I would make my flight choices based on her duty schedules the next time if that were possible (and make no mistake, I am a lady, so when I compliment another lady, she must be truly exceptional). Just watching her floating around in the cabin, smiling occasionally at people and simply being nice was a pleasure.
However, I did have a funny experience in QR. My radar picks up the slightest variation of expressions almost subconsciously. So, the sudden quizzical look on the IFE’s face did not escape me when he saw my husband and I enter the flight for the first time. Now, on that flight my husband and I definitely did not look the conventional Mr. and Mrs. CEO type – casual clothes in bright colors and a general mood of being on a holiday. However, sizing up your business class passengers must be avoided, even subconsciously.
Of course, I was not offended, just amused and a little kicked about it too – I love perplexing people. But flight attendant sir, beware of unassuming tycoons who might just take offense, because these days there are more people on the Mark Zuckerberg track than you would imagine.
Overall, I’d say QR’s business class experience, truly epitomizes finesse. And we had a lovely flight to start our married life. Thanks a ton to my husband for this lovely gift!
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