Tag Archives: Transatlantic

This is the second post in a three part trip report of my big move to Doha, Qatar.  If you’re new to trip reports you may find these boring as I did at first, but now I quite enjoy them.  In other words, I’m going to keep writing them, so get used to it.  If you find yourself falling asleep reading them, just scroll through them really fast to look at the pretty pictures.   

24 Hours in Transit:  Part 1 – Adios Snow (MCI-CLT)
24 Hours in Transit:  Part 2 – Crossing the Pond in Envoy Class (CLT-FRA)
24 Hours in Transit:  Part 3 – World’s 5-Star Airline (FRA-DOH)

I planned on doing a bit of lounge hopping on this trip to take full advantage of flying business class and compare what the different lounges had to offer.  Of course, I was mostly planning on doing this in Frankfurt, but I’ll get to that later.  Yes, most people would find lounge hopping quite boring, but this is what entertains me.

After I got off the plane, I made a quick stop at the smaller US Airways Club in concourse B to compare it to their main club.  It had the standard chips, cookies, cheeses, etc. and coffee machine that main club had when we stopped through there on our way to Ireland last May.  This club was larger than I expected it to be.  There were 2 main rooms with seating for maybe 20-30 in each, plus a separate small business center with maybe 5 or so desks down the hall from one of the seating areas.  Nothing special, but a much nicer place to sit and wait on a flight than in the terminal.

I then headed towards my gate and the main US Airways club in between concourse C and D.  Charlotte is really a nice airport with a decent size food court that has floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the tarmac.  They also have quite a few white wooden rocking chairs where you can sit and people watch or enjoy the views of the planes taxing into the gates.  I would have enjoyed wasting time there, but I had another lounge to check out.

From my limited experience and knowledge, the US Airways Club in Charlotte seems to be one of the better US airline lounges (note: not US Airways lounges, but all US airline lounges).  I don’t have much experience with international lounges, but the ones I have been in blow away the US competition.  The main club had the same food options as the smaller lounge (which was expected, but still a little disappointing), but they do offer you a single complimentary alcoholic drink from the bar.  I chose to hang out in a spot in the small rotunda at the far end of the club that has nice views of the planes.  It was a good way to spend about an hour or so.

By the time I got to the gate, the economy passengers were  boarding and business class passengers were already on the plane.  As this was the city of international departure I had to head to the gate agent to have my passport checked again.  As I mentioned earlier the gate agent here in CLT  also had to check the computer to confirm I didn’t need a visa prior to arrival in Doha before letting me on the plane.  That took a couple of minutes, and I was already a bit disappointed how late I was boarding.

As I boarded the plane, the Envoy section (US Airways business class) was pretty full.  There was a couple sitting across from me who was celebrating their 30 year wedding anniversary by spending 10 days somewhere in Europe (yeah, quite specific I know, but I can’t remember – Greece, Germany, maybe Switzerland….?).  My immediate thought was, wow, that’s sad their trip is only 10 days.  I soon realized that I have such a distorted point of view when it comes to travel.  Ten days may be a super long trip for them, and there are plenty of people out there who don’t want to be gone for longer than 10 days.  However, I was excited that they were able to celebrate such an incredible accomplishment with a big trip.  So few people get the chance (or rather make it a priority) to do something like that, and even fewer get to do it sitting up front.

When booking the trip I was really hoping to experience the Qatar Airways nonstop flight from either DC or Houston.  I had even found a great itinerary that would allow me about 8 hours in DC to get out and doing a little sight seeing in capital of the nation I was bailing on for a while.  Turns out the prices on those tickets were quite a bit higher than the US Airways MCI-CLT-FRA-DOH routing.  I was surprised at how much higher, and there was no way to justify the extra expense.  I wasn’t too disappointed with US Airways being the cheapest option out of the bunch as I was familiar with their Envoy seat, and knew it to be one of the better business class options from the States.

As expected, the seat didn’t disappoint.  It’s full lay flat, has electrical/usb ports, and a great in flight entertainment (IFE) system.  As seems to be standard in business and first class they give you noise cancelling headphones for the flight.  Now, if I could only take those home with me…

The amenity kit provided was the same one we had received on our way to Ireland last year (in US Airways old style business class on the 757).  Nothing too special, but I do like collecting amenity kits for some reason.  It came with Gilchrist & Soames lotion and lip balm, an eye mask, ear plugs, a tooth brush, and a pen.

Prior to dinner, the standard warm mixed nuts and drink was served.  You wouldn’t think so, but warming the mixed nuts makes all the difference.  I like regular mixed nuts just fine, but warming them really makes them great.   

For dinner they served an appetizer of Sliced Pesto Chicken Breast with tomato-caper relish which was decent (that’s about as descriptive as I’m going to get with food, because I’ll pretty much eat anything), along with a salad.  For the main course, there were four options, and I went with the Citrus Mahi Mahi.  A few people around me ordered it too, but had some reservations about doing so.  The flight attendant assured them both that it was a solid option.  I quite enjoyed it, so that was a win in my book.  It seems like a lot of people complain about airplane food, but I’m always quite happy with it – including what they serve in coach on international flights.  Each time it comes out I always think it’s not going to be enough food.  And by the end of the meal, I was completely full.

For dessert I couldn’t turn down the ice cream.  I really should have asked for the Raspberry Mousse too as it looked great.

While dinner was served I took advantage of the IFE, and watched Argo.  I’m headed to the Middle East, so why shouldn’t I see what I’m in for, right?  Actually I had wanted to see it for quite some time, and I wasn’t disappointed.  Really good movie.  On flights where I should be sleeping I tend to catch up on movies instead.  I think I didn’t sleep at all on my flight back from Brazil in 2010 just so I could stay up and watch four different movies.  I didn’t quite keep up with that trend, but I did watch Skyfall before crashing for a few hours in the lay flat seat.

I woke up early as I tend to do on overnight flights (and no other time), and enjoyed the views.  

Breakfast was served, and while I usually tend to go with the heavier option on all meals, I chose the fresh fruit bowl this time which I feel completely confident was the right decision.  

Soon we were landing in Frankfurt…