Hi arrived back here on Sunday 7pm and the airport was very busy took me 30mins to clear immigration that was with FAST TRACK the connections queue was out of the door,give plenty of time between flights as it seems Qatar Airways are getting very busy,for you guys this is why the prices are rocketing????.

Hi Dave Wales
Was Qatar only charging £370 last year as I have a price of £569.80 for Jan 21 to Feb 12 2011

The Preacher. :que

Just got back from Kerala yesterday so sorry for the delay in responding. Yes, I have noticed how much the fares have gone up, probably for two reasons. I booked as soon as the new route was announced... it's now established and judging by the two flights in and out of Manchester, very popular as there were very few empty seats.No need to discount too much, the convenience factor is a big selling point for M/C.
Then of course there is also Gordon Brown and his long haul flight taxes that have added another £80.

Doha was pretty manic yesterday morning too, but despite there being only 50 minutes between flights we managed quite comfortably but missed out on duty free as there was a big que in the shop.You have to ask to be fast tracked and we weren't offered that service. Last time we went through you were given a special pass to let you go through, this time there were so many flights being called to board the fast track couldn't cope with everyone so you had to be on last call status to go down that channel.
Problem is, Qatar Airways is expanding so fast they are struggling to cope until all the new building work planned happens.They have doubled their fleet in a couple of years and have further plans to expand by another 50% in the next 3 too.

Back in Trivandrum, they could cope if they wanted to but don't seem to care. There were 5 flights due to leave at around 4.30-5-30 am. That's at least 1200 passengers but only 5 immigration officers on duty. 30 minutes to check in followed by 60 minutes at the immigration que. Strange but it kind of makes you glad you are leaving India when you finally get on the plane.

Just to warn everyone of the NEW rules here in Qatar. If you wish to visit Qatar as from the 1st of May you MUST have a VISA in your passport there will be nomore VISA on entry.Please check on the Qatar Embassy London web site.

to confirmed you will only need this Visa if you intend to leave the airport. Transfers will not require a visa?

Yes that is correct if you are connecting/transfering to another flight you do not need a Visa.

A friend is due to fly on Sunday from Bangkok to Doha to Heathrow.

I take it that whatever the situation regarding European airspace, he will have to present himself for the first leg of the flight and then sort out the second leg once he gets to Doha?

Mobor One,

He needs to speak to the airline to see what options they are offering.

Darren

QATAR Visa update.
Reading in the local paper Gulf Times the Visa on entry has been reinstated.You can now purchase a Visa to enter Qatar at the Airport.How long this will last is anyone's guess.

Im a member of Qatar airways privilege club currently burgundy level. Ive been told by Qatar that i can get an extra 10Kgs allowance to 30kgs just by showing my card at check in.

Im not worried about flying out from Manchester, its the return from Dabolim (Goa) as ive a feeling if it doesn't say 30ks on my ticket they may well try and charge me excess baggage.. The staff at Dabolim are not exactly customer friendly... Any advice please guys.

MazD,

Just take your card with you and a copy of the page from the Qatar website showing your entitlement if it's questioned and you'll be fine.

Darren

Thanks Darren

Hi MazD,
Try to bet something in writing from Qatar Airways it will be a help for you.

Booked flights to Goa for 4 of us online Feb12 2011, through Hoodaki during the live chat the operator told me I would receive 23kgs luggage allowance + 7kgs hand luggage, I have now received my e-tickets, and it tells me that my luggage allowance is 20kgs + 7kgs hand luggage. Does anyone know which is correct. thanks.

The Preacher.

Direct with Qatar it would be 20kgs but the agent might get a special allowance, the likes of Southall Travel get 30kgs.
You'll have to take it up with Hoodaki

Can anyone help, I went to Qatar Airways offices in Manchester yesterday to pre-book our seats for our flights to Goa in Feb. I specifically told the rep we wanted seats away from the wing, she didn't show me a seat plan, just gave me A/B rows 29 and 30, I have now found that these are over the wing.

So does anyone know.
1)Qatars Manchester Office phone nomber

2)Will I be able to change seats

3)Will it be a, Airbus A330 - 202 or A330 -302

4)How many seats will it have

Thanks
The Preacher

Those are amongst the best choice of seats going ! Don't change them.
They are either the ones by the exit door with extra leg room or the ones with the wall behind so no worries about people behind you.
You get a good view from the window too.
We book our seats when we book the tickets , I think we are in 29 next time out.
cheers Dave

PS Isn't there a seat plan on line ?

Ps Seats A&B are together, it's a 2-4-2 formation. Don't choose the seats near the back as there is a constant que for the toilets.

DaveWales

Cheers my friend that has saved me a trip back to Qatar

Just found my seats from the last Manchester flight to Doha and they were 29 A&B. Good views from the window they are second to last before the emergency exit door. 30 are the ones with no one behind but a partition wall. I don't think you can prebook the extra leg room seats by the emergency exit as they keep them for special cases.
Certainly they are good seats in a quiet spot, it will be interesting to see if the TV screen still has a scratch on it. Doesn't interfere with viewing, just struck me as a shame as it's a pretty new plane !
cheers Dave