TRIP REPORT: Qatar Airways/ANA, Belgrade - Japan and back

TRIP REPORT

This is my first time writing one, so it may not be as detailed as some others you’ve seen, but I hope you’ll still come across a few things you didn’t know before.

In this report, you’ll find five different flights, including some exclusive domestic ANA services that haven’t been covered on this site yet. Since there are already plenty of reports on the Belgrade - Doha route- one even from just a month ago - I won’t go into much detail about that part.

Everything on that route was pretty much the same, except for the last flight, where we ran into an issue… so stay tuned! :)

Beograd Nikola Tesla - Doha Hamad - Osaka Kansai International Airport

29.04.2025.

BEG-DOH QR232 05h 10min

Connection 07h 50min

DOH-KIX QR802 10h 20min

Price: €1650

As usual, this flight was operated by an Airbus A320-200 with sharklets, featuring 12 seats in Business Class and 120 in Economy. Business was fully booked, while Economy was about 80% full. The aircraft, registered A7-AHR, was delivered to Qatar Airways in 2012.

Our departure gate today was A5, conveniently located right in front of the Air Serbia Premium Lounge - which was a nice bonus. As a codeshare partner of Air Serbia, Qatar Airways uses this lounge for its Business Class passengers.

Before departure, the flight attendant came around to take meal preferences. I opted for the cream of broccoli and almond soup, braised beef short ribs, and dessert. At the seat, there was a bottle of water, noise-cancelling headphones, and a small amenity kit containing earplugs, an eye mask, and socks.

Pre-departure, wine and peanuts were served. After takeoff, the main meal followed. Before the top of descent, we were offered hot towels and a piece of chocolate. We landed ahead of schedule. Overall, it was a pleasant flight, the crew was friendly and well-trained.

We parked at Concourse B, right by the famous golden bear statue, which was perfect since I had access to the Al Safwa First Class Lounge.

After arriving from Belgrade, I had about a seven-hour layover, so I decided to spend the time in the First Class Lounge.

Access to the Al Safwa First Class Lounge is complimentary for First Class passengers and Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum members. Business Class passengers can enter for a fee of €147, which grants a stay of up to six hours.

In my experience, it was absolutely worth it. I arrived around 7 PM, and at most, there were about 20 people in the lounge. It was incredibly quiet and peaceful. Around 11 PM, it started to get a bit more crowded as the A380 flights began arriving, but those first four hours were fantastic.

Upon entry, a staff member greets you and gives a brief overview of the lounge layout and amenities, adding a nice personal touch to the experience.

The lounge features two dining options. The main one is an à la carte restaurant with a full-service bar offering premium drinks and an excellent menu. The second is a buffet area, primarily focused on sushi, which is a nice alternative when the main restaurant gets busy.

Since there were only two occupied tables at the time, we chose to dine in the à la carte restaurant. The food was absolutely delicious.

After that, it was time for a shower. The shower facilities are located within the spa area, where you're given a key to a private massage room that includes a spacious and well-appointed bathroom. I was provided with a toothbrush, shaving kit, amenity kit, and even a bathrobe, likely intended for passengers receiving massages.

There’s also a jacuzzi area, although I wasn’t able to locate it during my visit.

Other areas of the lounge include a quiet zone, gaming and family rooms, locker facilities, and even a small shopping area featuring mostly perfumes and gold items. The entire lounge feels like a boutique museum, with exhibitions of historic artifacts on display - many of which are on loan from the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar.

Overall, a big thumbs up for the staff and the entire experience - it was truly impressive.

Our gate today was D2, located in Concourse D, about a 20-minute journey from the lounge by train and walking. The aircraft was an 8-year-old Airbus A350-900, delivered to Qatar Airways in 2017. It featured 36 Business Class seats (only 5 unoccupied) and 247 seats in Economy (approximately 80% full). My seat was 3A.

I have to say, this is probably the least impressive aircraft in Qatar’s long-haul fleet, as it features one of the older cabin configurations. At the seat, there was a bottle of water, noise-cancelling headphones, and an amenity kit (you'll see the contents in the return flight review, as they were identical). The seat also came with two pillows and a large blanket.

Before departure, the crew came around to confirm meal preferences and asked whether we’d prefer to be served after takeoff or after sleeping. Since our departure was scheduled for 2:30 AM, most passengers chose to sleep first. We were delayed by 23 minutes, likely due to slow boarding.

As a nice touch, we were given Qatar Airways-branded Formula 1 Doha pyjamas, long-sleeved and made of comfortable material. Unfortunately, I found the bed quite uncomfortable and couldn’t sleep much at all. Oddly enough, I find the A320 Business Class seats more comfortable for sleeping.

Wi-Fi was free for Business Class passengers and provided via Starlink, but it was unavailable over Indian airspace, which accounts for nearly three hours of the journey.

In the morning, though it was already evening in Japanese time, breakfast was served. I chose the omelette with orange juice. With the bread, you’re offered a selection of three condiments: ketchup, mustard, and Tabasco, each served in a small glass container.

This aircraft was equipped with two external cameras, one mounted on top and one on the bottom, allowing you to watch the landing from the nose gear’s perspective, which was a nice detail.

Before landing, we were given chocolates and a hot towel. We touched down at Kansai Airport at 5:24 AM local time after a flight lasting 9 hours and 50 minutes, arriving one minute ahead of schedule. The crew on this flight were excellent throughout.

However, upon arrival, disembarkation was delayed due to a medical emergency onboard. We had to wait about 15 minutes for medical personnel to board.

After exiting the aircraft, passengers proceed through immigration. I highly recommend completing the arrival form online in advance, as it generates a QR code and significantly speeds up the process, especially since the on-site registration area can get very crowded.

Kansai Airport is well-connected by train. Regular trains depart every 15 minutes and take about an hour to reach Osaka Station, stopping at around 15 stations, with tickets costing roughly €15. Alternatively, there are limited-stop rapid services that take about 35 minutes but require an additional fare. Taxis are not recommended unless absolutely necessary, the ride to the city costs around €150.

Osaka Itami Airport - Haneda International Airport

06.05.2025.

ITM-HND NH36 00:53 minutes

Price: €350

Welcome to another trip report, this time from Osaka’s older airport - Itami Airport. Once the city’s main international gateway, Itami now handles only domestic flights, as Kansai Airport took over international traffic. The airport is much closer to the city center, about 10 kilometers away, compared to Kansai, which is roughly 40 kilometers out.

The terminal is divided between the two major Japanese carriers: ANA (All Nippon Airways) and JAL (Japan Airlines). I chose to fly with ANA, honestly, I assumed it was Japan’s national airline. On domestic ANA flights, the Economy Class baggage allowance is 10kg, but since I was traveling with two bags, I opted for Premium Class, which allows up to 30kg with no limit on the number of pieces. Premium Class on ANA is similar to Business Class, with a dedicated check-in area and separate security screening.

Once through security, I visited the Premium Lounge. It offers views of the apron and runway, along with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. There’s no hot food, just light snacks. The lounge, like the airport itself, is well-organized and user-friendly, and pleasantly, the staff spoke English, which can sometimes be a challenge elsewhere in Japan.

Today’s aircraft was a Boeing 777-200, delivered in 2013, making it 13 years old. It features a layout of 28 seats in Premium Class and 364 in Economy. There was a slight delay due to the aircraft’s late arrival from its previous flight.

Boarding was done in five groups, which helped maintain a smooth process:

1. ANA Diamond Service Members and First Class passengers

2. Business Class passengers, Platinum Service Members, Super Flyers Members, and Star Alliance Gold Members

3. Window seat passengers in Premium Economy and Economy Class

4. Middle seat passengers in Premium Economy and Economy Class

5. Aisle seat passengers in Premium Economy and Economy Class

Boarding was smooth and efficient, with two jet bridges, one for Premium Class and one for Economy. My seat was comfortable, and I was provided with a pillow, a pair of slippers, and noise-cancelling headphones.

We pushed back 13 minutes behind schedule. Shortly after takeoff, the cabin crew began service. A paper menu titled The Premium Kitchen listed all available drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

The meal was served in a bento-style box, divided into five beautifully presented and described sections, all explained on the menu. The food was well-prepared and delicious, and the service was truly outstanding.

Despite the earlier delay, our flight was faster than expected, and we arrived at Tokyo Haneda’s Terminal 2 four minutes ahead of schedule. As this was a domestic flight, disembarkation and baggage claim were quick and hassle-free.

Once you exit, there are three transport options into central Tokyo: taxi, train, or monorail. I recommend the monorail, it’s fast, affordable, and very tourist-friendly.

Overall, ANA delivered a fantastic experience. I’d definitely like to try them again on a long-haul route in the future.

Narita International Airport - Doha Hamad - Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport

13.05.2025.

NRT-DOH QR807 11h 25 min

Connection 03h 50min

DOH-BEG QR233 05h

Welcome to the longest flight of this trip. To get from Tokyo to Europe, you have two main options: Haneda Airport, located closer to the city center (about 30 minutes away), or the newer and larger Narita Airport, situated in the small town of Narita, roughly 40 kilometers from Tokyo (around 55 minutes by taxi or 1 hour and 20 minutes by bus).

Qatar Airways operates flights from both airports. However, I chose Narita specifically to try their Qsuite business class, often regarded as the best in the world. The Boeing 777-300ER, which features Qsuite seating with forward-facing lie-flat beds, operates from Narita. From Haneda, Qatar uses the Boeing 787-9, which has angled seats instead.

Check-in opened three hours before departure. Since the aircraft had been parked at the airport all day, the departure was brought forward by 15 minutes. There were three lines at check-in: one for business class, one for economy, and one for baggage drop-off for online check-in passengers. The process was quick and handled efficiently by JAL staff, Qatar’s oneworld partner in Japan. My only difficulty was my limited English, which made communication a bit challenging.

After check-in, passengers proceed through security. Just before the checkpoint is the JAL Sakura Lounge and First Class Lounge. We had access to the Sakura Lounge, which spans two levels. The upper level offers a buffet with food and drinks, while the lower level is a relaxation area with light snacks and beverages.

The aircraft was an eight-year-old Boeing 777-300ER, delivered in 2018 and configured with 42 business class seats (all full) and approximately 312 in economy, though the exact number is uncertain. Boarding began 45 minutes later than the newly scheduled departure time. My seat for today’s flight was 6F.

Qsuite is widely considered one of the best business class products in the world, offering exceptional privacy. Each seat is enclosed with sliding doors, giving it a first-class feel. One of its standout features is the versatility of the middle seats - two can be combined to form a double bed, while four adjacent seats can be arranged into a private suite for a group, creating a spacious, shared "quad" layout.

Everything felt familiar compared to the A350, but with a few notable improvements: a larger screen, a more comfortable seat, and extra space. Before takeoff, the crew came around to take meal preferences. Pushback began two minutes ahead of the new departure time, 17 minutes earlier than originally scheduled.

Shortly after takeoff, dinner was served. I chose the corn soup, Wagyu beef curry, and cheesecake for dessert. 

After the meal, I settled in for some rest. The bed was soft and spacious, far more comfortable than the older seats on the A350. 

The flight lasted 11 hours and 25 minutes. Wi-Fi was available for free throughout the flight via Starlink, except while flying over India. Three hours before arrival, breakfast was served. I opted for orange juice, a fruit plate, and grilled salmon.

The only downside on this otherwise excellent flight was the service. The flight attendant assigned to my section appeared to be new to business class and forgot to offer a hot towel and farewell chocolate, something passengers in front of me received from a more experienced crew member. That was a small letdown in an otherwise top-tier experience.

Although I haven't flown on the A380 in business class, based on what I’ve seen in photos and videos, I believe this is the best business class product in the world. The combination of space, food, bedding, and privacy truly sets it apart. As they say, world-class service.

We landed in Doha 30 minutes ahead of schedule at Concourse E, which conveniently was where our connecting flight to Belgrade was departing from. A five-minute walk brought us to security, and soon we were in the garden section of the terminal. I didn’t realize the Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge was located on the upper level, it wasn’t very well signposted.

The lounge itself was spacious and impressive. Thanks to the glass roof above the garden, we were able to enjoy the sunrise. The right wing of the lounge houses the kitchen and spa area, while the left side features the rest area and washrooms. The washroom was compact but functional, you’re provided with three towels, shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner. Toothbrushes and razors are available on request.

The food court offers both a buffet and an à la carte menu. For breakfast, the menu had five different egg options with toast, though I personally found the buffet more appealing. The bar was large and well-stocked with a wide variety of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. It was very quiet at first, but around 6 AM the lounge began to fill up, with about 15 people lining up for breakfast.

Our next flight departed from Gate E2, a remote stand served by a bus gate. Business class passengers had a separate mini-bus, but I wasn’t a fan, it reminded me of Dubai, where business class buses are far more comfortable.

Boarding was quick, as most passengers had already arrived at the gate. The aircraft was the same as our previous flight, though the service featured a new menu. We departed three minutes late but managed to land in Belgrade 10 minutes ahead of schedule.

Unfortunately, the arrival didn’t go smoothly. Due to a hard landing, the yellow hydraulic system on the nine-year-old A320 began leaking on the runway, causing a loss of braking and steering. We remained on the runway for about 30 minutes. The airport was closed for nearly an hour as the fire brigade stood by. Eventually, we were pushed to a de-icing position and transferred to the terminal by bus.

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