Doha, Qatar attracted global attention as the host city of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Based in Doha’s Hamad International Airport is Qatar Airways, which was awarded the top spot for “World’s Best Airline” in 2021 by Skytrax, thanks to its highly praised hospitality and service.
Qatar Airways operates flights not only to destinations in Africa and South America but also to major cities like Paris, London, and New York. Transferring at Hamad International Airport is also convenient.
As of March 2022, Qatar Airways operates flights from Tokyo (Narita) to Hamad International Airport. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it also flew from Tokyo (Haneda), and there are future plans to operate from Osaka (Kansai) as well.
Hamad International Airport in Doha, the hub of Qatar Airways, opened in 2014. It was ranked number one in Skytrax’s World Airport Rankings in 2021.
In this article, we will explain the appeal of Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport, as well as information about their lounges.
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World’s No. 1 in Customer Satisfaction: Introducing Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport
Qatar Airways (QR), the state-owned airline of Qatar in the Middle East, was founded in 1993. In 2014, it moved from the old Doha Airport to the current Hamad International Airport, rapidly expanding its route network. That same year, it also launched flights to Haneda Airport. Although it temporarily withdrew from Kansai International Airport, it is scheduled to resume service after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Qatar Airways is a member of the airline alliance "Oneworld," which includes Japan Airlines (JAL) and American Airlines. Therefore, you can earn JAL miles when flying with Qatar Airways (and vice versa). You can also take advantage of Oneworld elite statuses such as Sapphire and Emerald.
Since Qatar is an oil-producing country, a key feature is that its fuel surcharges are very low, allowing travelers to purchase tickets at lower prices even when crude oil prices are high.
▼ Extensive Global Network Access!
The flight time from Narita Airport to Hamad International Airport in Doha is approximately 11.5 to 12 hours. In the opposite direction, thanks to the jet stream, it takes about 9.5 to 10.5 hours (as of March 2022).
From Narita to London, including transfer time, it takes approximately 23 hours; to Paris, about 22.5 hours; and to São Paulo, about 29.5 hours (including layover time, as of March 2022).
Destinations without direct flights—such as Tbilisi in Georgia, Prague in the Czech Republic, Johannesburg in South Africa, and Casablanca in Morocco—are also easily accessible with comfort.
▼ Popular Qatar Airways Business Class
Qatar Airways offers First Class (on select aircraft), Business Class, and Economy Class. Its Business Class seats called “Qsuite” come with a door for full privacy, and receive excellent customer reviews for their comfort and innovation.
▼ In-flight Meals, Entertainment & Amenities are also Top-Class!
In-flight meals follow Islamic guidelines and are made with Halal food, so you won’t find pork or similar ingredients. Wine and other alcoholic beverages are available, so you don’t need to worry.
Entertainment options are plentiful—you can read the in-flight magazine or enjoy a wide range of movies. Wi-Fi is available for free up to 8MB (with paid upgrades), allowing you to post on social media like Instagram even while in the air.
Amenities show thoughtful attention to detail—for example, lip balm from Institut Karité Paris is provided.
Hamad International Airport for a Comfortable Stay
Hamad International Airport, the hub of Qatar Airways, is known for its impressive space where a giant teddy bear sculpture created by Urs Fischer stands tall. Many visitors take photos with it.
The airport has terminals from A to E, showcasing its vast scale. There are many features that make a stay at Hamad International Airport enjoyable.
The shops offer a wide variety of options, including souvenir stores with uniquely Qatari gifts like shawls and dates, Qatar Airways toys, coffee shops like Starbucks, and fast food restaurants like Burger King. The duty-free area features luxury brands such as Gucci and Dior, making shopping a delight.
Inside the transit area of Hamad International Airport, there’s also a transit hotel, perfect for travelers with long layovers. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a free hotel service for passengers with over 8 hours of layover, but as of March 2022, this service has been discontinued.
Lounge Information at Hamad International Airport
Hamad International Airport offers four luxurious lounges. These include the opulent, awe-inspiring Al Safwa First Class Lounge, exclusively for first-class passengers; the Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge, which spans an impressive 10,000 square meters and is accessible to both business and first-class passengers; and two lounges for card members — the Al Maha Lounge and the Oryx Lounge.
Access to the Al Maha and Oryx Lounges is also available for a fee. You can stay up to 4 hours in the Al Maha Lounge and up to 6 hours in the Oryx Lounge. These lounges provide a relaxing environment ideal for layovers, offering drinks including alcoholic beverages, meals, and shower facilities.
Consider Entering Qatar During a Layover
If your layover time is more than 5 hours, you can enter Qatar and explore the city of Doha. There are also many affordable hotels in Doha, so it’s a good idea to look for accommodation there.
Please see below for the Skyticket sightseeing guide and recommended hotels in Doha.
A Slightly Luxurious Journey in the Sky
We’ve explained the appeal of Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport, which are well-regarded for their outstanding hospitality and facilities. By using Qatar Airways, you can comfortably access cities in Africa, the Middle East, and South America—places that do not have direct flights—as well as destinations in Europe. The number of cities accessible via a Doha layover is steadily increasing, so there’s much to look forward to from Qatar Airways in the future.
