Flying With Qatar Airways
Before booking my flight to Tanzania, I had never explored what it would be like to fly with Qatar Airways. While looking for the best flight, I had several international airline options to choose from-but my eyes were automatically drawn to Qatar Airways. It was the burgundy color and company logo that immediately captured my attention, followed by the beautiful Arabic abjad writing. The middle east has a history of doing everything tasteful and with class when it comes to hospitality and accommodation, so I felt that I would be getting top service if I chose to fly with them.
First Things First
Covid
Before leaving the United States of America, you must show proof of a negative RT-PCR Covid test. This test must be taken 72 hours before arriving at your destination. I was able to get mine done quickly while in my Lyft ride at Any Lab Test Now for $199.00. My results were e-mailed to me within a couple of hours.
Upon checking in the US, during my 2-hour layover in Dallas, Texas, in Doha, Qatar, and upon arrival in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I was asked to present a negative RT-PCR test along with my passport.
Update: The rules for Covid vaccinations, tests, and health screenings for travel have changed since I wrote this post. Always check on the website of your destination country for rules and regulations.
*Because the line for presenting your information may be quite long, try to get to your gate asap and sit close to the airline attendants’ desk area. For organizational purposes, and to avoid holding up the line, have all of your documents in hand or within your reach.
Masks
Face masks are required for the whole duration of your flight with Qatar Airways, and while inside all airports.
Health Declaration Forms
Be sure to check to see if you need to download any health declaration forms that may be required at your final destination or by certain airline providers. You can find these forms on the Embassy website of your destination, and on the website of the airline that you are flying with. Qatar Airways does require a health declaration form whereby you can download on their website. However, I was not asked for it upon presenting my passport and covid test results.
I would still suggest that you go ahead and have it ready to present-Better to be safe than sorry.
Tanzania requires that you fill out and print their health declaration form 24 hours before arrival.
Tanzanian Document Requirements
Immediately upon arriving at the Tanzanian Julius Nyerere International Airport, you will be asked for your health declaration control number, (this number is located at the very top of the form) a negative RT- PCR test, and your passport. Afterward, you will be required to take a rapid antigen test. Rapid covid tests are provided at testing centers inside Julius Nyerere International Airport. You will be charged 10 US dollars which you can pay via cash, debit, or credit card.
*I paid cash with no problems. Just make sure that your bill is new and crisp.
If by chance you are presented with a positive result, you must stay at one of the select hotels (at your own expense) that Tanzania has designated for 14-day quarantines.
You will also need to take another RT-PCR test 96 hours before departing from Tanzania back to the US. This test requires that you make an online appointment, and as of now, in Kigamboni Dar es Salaam, will cost $50.00 USD. Test fees are to be paid online as well.
Be sure to frequently check document requirements and fees, because they may change. For example, Tanzanian RT-PCR tests went down from $100 to $50. They also changed the time frame where you would have to have your test before departure from 72 hours, to 96 hours.
Also, I would advise that you find out the location of the hospital or clinic where you will need to take your test ahead of time so that you can plan accordingly. This is one thing that I failed to do before I left the states, but luckily, my testing location was only 13 minutes away from the resort that I was staying at in Kigamboni.
For more information visit US Embassy Tanzania Covid Information
Flying With Qatar Airways
Once you fly with Qatar Airways, you will want to remain a loyal customer for the rest of your flying days!
Seriously! I found myself wanting to invest in all of the perks and benefits that Qatar Airways has to offer.
While anxiously waiting at my gate to board, I looked up and was impressed to see the whole crew walking together so eloquently.
The men were looking handsome and the stewardess was ever so pretty all decked out from head to toe-Oh yeah, all of the stewardess’s makeup was on point too!
Qatar Airways cabin crew has 1960 old-school professionalism and mannerisms, that reminds me of some of the classic movies that I have watched.
From Dallas to Doha, Qatar
After greeting all Stewardess with ‘Marhaba’ which is hello in Arabic, (I was excited and proud to use the little Arabic words that I am learning) I was politely shown the way to my seat.
While slowly walking down the roomy aircraft aisle-enjoying and appreciating the soothing Arabic tunes, I was pleased to see how beautiful and inviting the burgundy craft interior really was.
*According to color psychology burgundy is associated with sophistication, higher class society, power, ambition, passion, relaxation, creativity, and beauty.
Economy Seats with First Class Service
The aisle seating and leg space were very spacious for economy. I took one look at the plush headrests, pillows, and blankets, and knew that I was going to have a very comfortable 15-hour flight.
On the way to Doha, I sat in the middle row aisle seat. There was a passenger sitting in the third seat, but no one in the middle seat. For all of my other flights with Qatar, I had a window seat with no other passengers sitting in the middle or end seats. This allowed me to raise the armrest, stretch out my legs, and use extra pillows and blankets to lounge and/or sleep.
Covid Safety and Protection Kits
Qatar Airways has a 5-star covid safety and protection rating!
One of the first things that the Stewardess hands out after everyone is settled in their seats is a safety protection kit.
Safety protection kits come with a mask, latex gloves, and hand sanitizer. The hand sanitizer smells really nice, and have natural oils in their ingredients!
Read-Qatar Airways Introduces Honeywell's Latest Ultraviolet Cabin Disinfection Technology
*You will be reminded by courteous Stewards and Stewardesses that you are to wear your mask during the whole entire flight.
Self Care Kits
Next, you will receive a care kit! Inside this kit is a pair of warm and cozy socks, a sleep mask, earplugs, toothbrush, toothpaste, and lip balm.
I still have a few items from the self-care and protection kits here with me at home!
Food
Qatar Airways does not skimp out when it comes down to making sure that passengers are well fed!
For a long 15 hour flight, we received full course meals, with beverages (and snacks in between) every 3 hours!
I mean, there was so much food that at times, I couldn’t even finish it all😋This is a good thing. I rather have more than less!
From mouth-watering Arabic cuisines to delicious vegan meals, I very much so looked forward to seeing that meal cart!
*You do have the option of choosing a couple of American dishes, but why would you?
Entertainment
After receiving your care kits, Stewardesses will pass out headphones so that you can utilize Qatar Airways innovative in-flight entertainment system.
There is a vast selection of movies in over 30 different languages!
Qatar Airways in-flight entertainment allows you to listen to music, play games, virtually explore Doha, press a button if you need anything, check on the status of a flight, find out the current location and altitude of the plane, and so much more.
Qatar Airways has 4,000 audio and entertainment options!
Book your Travels with Qatar Airways with me at Tiffany Tene' Travels
Restroom Facilities
You can rest assured knowing that whenever you need to use Qatar Airways restroom facilities, it will look and smell decent. Be sure to bring some Clorox wipes for added disinfection protection.
Also, after each full course meal, there was always an influx of passengers going in and out of the bathroom back to back…one.after.another. I never like to use it when this happens, neither do I use it right after all of the traffic has calmed down if I can help it. Try to plan your bathroom escapes accordingly. I personally took advantage of the airport restroom facilities as much as I could. Out of the 4 flights I took with Qatar Airways, I only used their bathroom facilities twice.
For extra long layovers, consider exploring Doha, Qatar!
Qatar Airways dominates the Business Class categories, winning the awards for the World's Best Business Class, World's Best Business Class Seat, World's Best Business Class Lounge, and World's Best Business Class Onboard Catering. The airline also received the award as the Best Airline in the Middle East.” SOURCE-Skytrax ratings
While flying with Qatar Airways, I received first-class luxury treatment from beginning to end. I will be planning my next trip with Qatar Airways soon with an upgraded experience!
Courtesy of Qatar Airways
*Updated June 12, 2024
