What a way to go: Flying San Francisco to Nairobi aboard Qatar Airlines | Travel

The Persian Gulf-based airline supplied a layover of solely two hours in each instructions between San Francisco and Nairobi, in Doha’s lovely Hamad Worldwide Airport. That might maintain my complete journey time to only over 24 hours, greater than 16 hours of it on the preliminary SFO-to-Qatar leg.

On this pandemic period, in fact, my most vital pre-flight activity was to finish a COVID take a look at. Kenya requires this to be completed inside 96 hours earlier than arrival, together with the completion of a questionnaire from its Ministry of Well being. A web based Kenya visa prices $51; the African nation doesn’t require quarantine upon arrival.

Sadly, I arrived for my flight with a unfavourable fast take a look at as an alternative of the required PCR take a look at. My gate supervisor, Nilema, knew precisely what to do: She walked me to SFO’s Dignity Well being-Go Well being station. An expensive $275 and one hour later, I used to be ready within the shared Air France lounge that Air France shares with Qatar Airways.

All through this course of, I used to be by no means requested if I had been vaccinated. (I accomplished that course of in April.) However, Qatar Airways was just lately ranked by AirlineRatings.com as one of many world’s high 20 COVID-compliant airways, for its strict cleanliness and security pointers. It was the primary world airline to function Honeywell’s transportable Ultraviolet Cabin System, which filters an plane cabin in UV gentle, a apply utilized in hospitals and microbiology labs to totally clear surfaces with out cleansing chemical compounds.

I traveled to Doha aboard Qatar’s long-haul A350-1000. The airline’s luxurious enterprise class “Qsuites,” which it launched in 2017, have been like my very personal closed-door compartment, its sliding doorways assuring my final privateness.

On this flight, which a flight attendant stated was 85 % full, all however three of the 46 items have been occupied. It’s no surprise. At 6 toes, 7 inches lengthy, and 21.5 inches large, the suites can accommodate all however the heftiest passengers on seats that recline into flat-beds.

Between the Qsuites are customary business-class seats that {couples} or households with kids can modify into double beds. Enterprise vacationers or co-workers can go for quad suites for events of 4.

Qatar Airways spent three years designing its Qsuites — flats within the sky with a whimsical curved design and a palette of maroon and gentle purple. By no means has private area meant a lot in flying. Even with the door closed, I by no means felt claustrophobic. The crew was in a position to peek in to supply help even whereas permitting me ample privateness.

As I am not a sound sleeper, I saved the door closed for round half my flight. Whereas the door was closed, I used the “don’t disturb” function utilizing the decision button choice to request help from my two stellar private attendants.

Seemingly large by airline requirements, the leisure display is sort of 22 inches large. Headphones are sealed and disinfected. There’s a mini storage container within the armrest that simply match my toiletries and digicam.

I used to be grateful for the simply accessible USB ports and common energy shops, as retaining my electronics charged is crucial with my travels. Wi-Fi was free, permitting me to ship emails and social media posts.

I used to be appreciative of the airline’s “Journey with Confidence” pouch with the important medical masks and hand sanitizer, together with latex gloves. The airline enterprise class facilities package is stocked with Italian skin-care merchandise, an eye fixed masks, earplugs, and socks.

Throughout my flight, I seen that every time a visitor used the rest room, the workers disinfected it to stay clear and secure for the subsequent passenger. The no-touch sensors on the sinks and bathrooms additionally offered an additional measure of security.

Even earlier than we have been within the air, my flight attendant supplied a beverage as she acquainted me with the intricate settings on my reclining seat. Provided single-malt Scotch whisky or a French Champagne, I opted for the latter. However following classes discovered from previous flights, I took a glass of water with every drink.

Upon returning with my Laurent-Perrier Cuvée-Rosé and a sampling of varied heat nuts, my attendant handed me a luxurious pajama set. It appeared the flight can be the subsequent neatest thing to a sleepover.

Examine that: It was higher than a sleepover, because of the on-demand eating menu. Freshly ready meals might be served at any time on the flight. And in accordance with Islamic regulation, all meals are Halal-certified. The menu is up to date quarterly and seasonally, and 20 particular meals are supplied to passengers with diversified dietary necessities.

A lot of the different passengers most well-liked to dine as quickly as we have been at cruising altitude. I opted to attend till 4 hours into the flight. I used to be on my second Glenfiddich 15-year single malt after I determined that I wished dinner served.

I began with a wealthy roasted-tomato soup and, as an appetizer, a Dungeness crab meat and avocado salad. Heat artisanal bread got here with balsamic-infused olive oils. As a essential course, I selected creamy Lobster Thermidor with crushed-saffron potatoes, a decadent dish that might have come straight from Emeril Lagasse’s kitchen. I paired a glass of premium French Chardonnay and completed with a dessert of hazelnut crème with berries ragout.

As if I might eat any extra, my attendant jogged my memory that, ought to I get hungry, gentle menu choices included afternoon tea with finger sandwiches and heat scones, seafood cioppino with sun-dried tomatoes, and an American cheddar cheeseburger with caramelized onions. And there have been snacks resembling cheese and crackers, flavored popcorn and Godiva sweets.

After a seven-hour sleep, the banquet continued with breakfast. Buttermilk pancakes with Crème Anglaise sounded delectable, however I used to be proud of a cheese omelet with grilled rooster sausage, fingerling potato, asparagus, and cherry tomato.

I used to be greeted on the Qatar Airways hub — fashionable Hamad Worldwide Airport in Doha — and information to the ethereal Al Mourjan Lounge, with a cheerful reminder that I had solely a two-hour layover earlier than my flight to Nairobi.

In my expertise, this resort-like lounge for business-class visitors is among the many world’s greatest airport refuges. Youngsters keep occupied in a sport room; ample showers allow visitors to scrub and freshen earlier than their subsequent flight. After 16-plus hours within the air, a heat bathe was certainly welcome. As anticipated, the disinfected cabana was spotless.

Within the spacious eating room, meals are served buffet-style with wait workers plating meals. Desserts and different ready meals are individually wrapped. Masked and gloved servers take drink orders and produce meals to secluded tables.

I loved a number of made-to-order sushi rolls with a glass of Champagne and a bottle of water. My attentive server got here again twice to verify on me. Quickly it was time for my connecting flight to Nairobi — 5 hours, 40 minutes, on the new-generation Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Now celebrating greater than 20 years of operation, Qatar Airways is without doubt one of the world’s fastest-growing airways. From its hub on the Persian Gulf, the airline flies to greater than 130 locations on six continents. And on June 1, the provider expanded its U.S. community to greater than 85 weekly flights to 12 locations, together with San Francisco.

On my current Qatar Airways flight, what really stood out for me — along with the stringent COVID-19 cleansing protocols — was the graciousness of the airline workers. Even coated with masks and goggles, the attendants have been clearly smiling. I’ve by no means felt as appreciated on a flight. Theỉr fixed consideration made me really feel as if I have been on a luxurious cruise with personal butler service.

I’m already trying ahead to my subsequent journey.