Beli Tiket Ekonomi Dapatnya First Class, Kok Bisa?!

Dari dulu saat travel aku suka ngayal, bisa gak ya upgrade dari economy class ke business class. Saat antri boarding selalu kulihat mereka masuk duluan, dilayanin duluan.

Sampai pernah dulu aku browsing. Konon katanya di setiap penerbangan bisnis class gak selalu penuh kursinya. Kalau mau nyoba, atau mau malu,  kita sebagai penumpang kelas ekonomi boleh nekat ikut ngantri di baris paling akhir para penumpang bisnis class.

Saat giliran boarding, jika pintar ngomong dan pintar nego, kita bisa nanya untuk upgrade ke kelas bisnis, tanpa bayar sedikitpun. Dalam beberapa kasus, pernah kejadian. Kalau gak percaya, kamu boleh coba?! Dengan catatan, kamu berani malu. Kalau penasaran kamu bisa cari infonya sendiri di internet.

Aku sendiri sih gak pernah nyoba. Karena kemungkinannya gak mungkin

Meski demikian, mimpi duduk di kelas bisnis masih ada dalam anganku. Tapi untuk merogoh poundsterling lebih lebih dalam, ogah amat dah!

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Sabtu sore kami tiba di London Heathrow lebih awal 3,5 jam sebelum flight. Rencananya begitu counter check in buka, aku mau langsung antri. Loket buka biasanya 3 jam sebelum flight. 

Ada waktu setengah jam kupikir. Aku buka sosmed dan WA mengabarkan apdet info ke keluarga Indonesia. 15 menit sudah. Iseng liat information board. Lah  counternya udah dibuka. Segeralah merapat.. 

Dan, wadau.. 

Antrian udah panjang mengular. Pelayanannya kayak kuya, lambat banget. Ternyata itu dua antrian penerbangan. Kupikir flight aku aja. Taunya, flight sebelumnya pun, belum semuanya check in. Ditambah lagi penerbangan selanjutnya. Penumpang misuh-misuh. Tapi mau gimana lagi.

Akhirnya giliranku tiba. Waktunya mepet banget. Sesudah check in aku langsung lari menuju gate. Gate kosong, setelah scanning langsung masuk pesawat, kemudian duduk. Tapi tetep.. nunggu penumpang lainnya dong yes. Walhasil pesawat delayed 45 menit.

Aku duduk dekat jendela, solo travel pula. Tau dong gimana rasanya kalau beser? 

Yup! Harus misi-misi ke dua orang sebelah kita. Iya kalau dia lagi melek, tinggal colek minta ijin buat lewat. Itupun kalau orangnya baik. Kalau jutek?! 

Sialnya, dua orang di sebelahku double trouble. Sudah molor terus, jutek pulak. Mau misi-misi numpang lewat, sebagai orang yang gak enakan, terpaksalah harus kutahan rasa rindu, eh rasa pengen ngompol ini. Hingga akhirnya si rasa pipis pergi perlahan dan terlupakan.

Tiba giliran makan si jadol pada bangun. Lalu menyantap makanan yang tidak begitu istimewa itu (bagiku, saat itu). Dan rasa ingin pipis kembali hadir dong. Hampir semua penumpang sudah selesai makannya. Entah mengapa pelayanan Qatar kali itu gak sat-set. 

Semua tray masih di depan para penumpang. Di seberang row kami ada yang inisiatif menumpukkan tray menjadi satu. Hingga si meja lipat kembali ke posisi semula. Ada yang selonjoran ada juga yang ke WC. Bisa nih kupikir.

“Misi.. numpang lewat, aku mau ke toilet nih,” ucapku.

“Euh, nanti aja ya kalau traynya udah diambil,” jawab si cewek berkulit langsat dan bermata sipit itu.

Anjir.. gendok euy digituin sama bocah wkkwkw..

Mana jawabnya lirik bentar lalu lagi liatin layar hpnya. Entah nge-game, entah apalah. Yang jelas sejak dia naek itu posisinya gitu terus. Nunduk terus, maen hp, dengan posisi hpnya landscape. Kira-kira di lagi ngapainnya. cobak? Gak tidur barang sekejappun, gak nyalain tivi pula. Bertolak belakang sama yang sebelahnya, yang molor melulu dari semenjak naek dan bangun saat makan.

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7 jam perjalanan UK-Doha usai. Setengah perjalanan berlalu sudah. Sedianya, stop over/ transfer pesawat 4 jam lebih. Dengan waktu yang leluasa saya sempat sholat subuh di mushola bandara Doha yang super bagus. Sempat gegoleran pula. Pun, sempet edit-edit video dll. 

Akhirnya pintu boarding dibuka, itupun telat. Sedari awal pelayanan Q**** emang kacau, seperti yang kuceritakan di atas. Di boarding aku ngantri lagi. Sesudah sekian lama antri, pas mau scan barcode, tetot.. Tetot…

Gatenya ga bisa ngebuka. Wah, masalah ieu mah.

Kaditu bu, ceunah. Kata si petugas nunjukin counter yang khusus penumpang VIP/business and first class . Setelah di ceki-ceki.
“Oh, monmap pesawatnya fully booked,” ceunah.

Lah, kok bisa! Padahal di ticket boardingnya jelas-jelas tertulis namaku dan tempat duduknya tertera di sana?

Kumaha tah?!

Kok bisa, masa 1 seat untuk dua orang!

Kacau pisan si Q**** Airways.

Anyway, si eceu itu nyuruh aku ke counter transfer desk yang lokasinya busyet… jauh banget kayak ke kelurahan sebelah.

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Doha airport emang keren, gede! 

Bikin susah kita

Lurus belok lurus belok, kaditu kadieu, naik lift, belok lurus lurus belok, huff.. Akhirnya nyampe weh.

Di transfer desk ada beberapa orang yang ngantri. Setelahnya barulah giliranku. Dengan penjelasan yang sama dia jelaskan.”

“I am not happy!” kata aku teh bari misuh-misuh.

Endesway.. endeswey… panjang lebar akhirnya disepakati aku dapat next flight yang terdekat, jam 6.45pm. 

Wah, sepuluh jam! Kata aku teh.

“Gila aja! 10 jam aku harus ngapain? Mana capek, lapar, kesana-kesini ini teh tau!,” aku marah.

“Iya monmaap madam,” katanya. 

Jika ibu lelah kami bisa tawarkan hotel, katanya. Kami juga bisa berikan voucher untuk makan di restoran yang ada di bandara kata petugasnya.

“Bukan soal makan dan hotel,” kataku  karena setibanya di Jakarta aku punya appointment senin pagi yang gak bisa dicancel kataku misuh-misuh.

Iya madam monmaap, cuman itu penerbangan tercepat yang bisa kami tawarkan. Setelah kami check pesawat akan landing jam 7.30 pagi. Semoga madam bisa mengejar appointment yang diharapkan katanya.

Gak mau kataku! Bersisi kukuh. 

Oiya kami lupa mengabarkan jika next flight itu madam akan mendapatkan business  class dan ini cuman satu-satu seat yang kami punya katanya, sambil ia merengkuh-rengkuh.

Oow.. kataku dalam hati hmmm…

Asli seneng banget anjir. Tapi ekspresi wajahku yang misuh-misuh gak boleh switch ke happy secepat kilat dong yes?

Aku tetep rada ngeyel dikit dan ngomel-ngomel tipis. Sementara pihak sana tetep monmaap monmaap dan endeswey.. Endeswey..

Intinya… DEAL!

Wajah setingan jutek tapi dalam hati YES! 

Setelah DEAL, petugas transfer desk mempersilahkan aku duduk. Ia akan ngurus-ngurus book ticket kelas bisnis, hotel dan voucher meal. Tak lama aku duduk ia datang menghampiri. Ia jelaskan semuanya sambil terus meminta maaf atas ketidaknyamanan ini.

Dalam hatiku: “Yeay.. my dream came true!”

Kiranya inilah surprise dari Allah untukku.

Hmm.. apa dulu ya..

Makan dulu? Atau masuk hotel dulu?

Sepertinya masuk hotel deh!

Awalnya kupikir hotelnya jauh, sempat ku tanyakan bagaimana transport menuju kesana. Eh ternyata hotelnya sering kulalui sambil foto-foto karena dekat dengan spot-spot cantik di bandara Doha tersebut.

 Kalau mau lihat klip nya ada di IG aku yang ini klipnya disini

Begitu masuk hotelnya,  nyes… hotelnya dingin… banget. 

Bersih, cukup luas. Double bed, bathroomnya enakeun, cukup besar, bersih dan nyaman.

Hmm.. apa dulu ya?

Tentunya poto-poto dulu dong yes.. Mumpung blom berantakan.

Next? Ngapain lagi ya..

Gegoleran bentar, apdet info berkabar ke sodara di bandung n my love ones di UK.

Rada lapar yeuh..

Cus ah ke food court.

Ternyata optionnya banyak banget.

Akhirnya milih wagamama restoran jepang.

Di Inggris restoran waralaba itu ada di mana-mana tapi belum sekalipun aku mencobanya. Masuklah aku. Pilih-pilih. Pesan brisket ramen komplit. Minumnya jus semangka.

Duduk di kursi depan dengan view hutan tropis ala-ala. Ya kali, di jazirah arab ada hutan tropis. Doha airport emang airport terkeren yang aku tau. Dia terus berinovasi bikin spot-spot menarik. Selain hutan tropis, air terjun dinding, kubah kayak kristal, dua air mancur keren, spot playground, patung-patung, retail branded bukan lagi, pokonya banyak deh.

Balik ke wagamama, letaknya gak jauh dari eskalator menuju hutan tropis ala-ala. Ini kali kesekian kami transit di sini. Ada kali 10 kali mah.

Doha international airport adalah airport terkeren yang kutahu (sofar).

Setelah kenyang, masih banyak waktu nih. Masuk kamar. Bobo nyenyak…

Seperti yang dijanjikan receptionist alarm nyala. Pertanda aku harus siap-siap. Kamar mandinya besar, bersih, enakeun. Kalau gak dipake, sayang dong.. Mandi lah aku! Dandan. Dan, cus… 

Berjalan segar penuh percaya diri kayak model di iklan-iklan

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Menuju gate boarding. Hati sudah senang. Sempat ngedit-ngedit, ngetik-ngetik. Tetiba mataku tertuju pada seorang bapak yang kukenal. Beliau mantan Atase Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan KBRI London jaman 4-3 Duta Besar sebelum yang sekarang. Ngobrol-ngobrol lah kami.

Ternyata beliaupun korban sepertiku. Sayangnya beliau dan istrinya tidak/belum mendapat kompensasi apapun. No business class ticket, no hotel, no event meal voucher. What a shame. 

Ngomong-ngomong, kami pernah ketemuan ketika masih tinggal di Worcester dan aktif di pengajian Bristol. Jadi, kakak beliau ini pernah satu perusahaan dengan suami di satu-satunya perusahaan aerospace di Bandung. Beliaunya alumni teknik mesin ITB juga, tapi beda angkatan. Pokonya cerita kita nyambung lah. Kami cerita banyak, sama-sama orang Bandung pula. Anaknya kuliah S3 di Coventry. Beliau sekarang jadi dosen di ITB. Istrinya sobat Uni Ita, rekanku sesama journalist (x)

Anyway, gate dibuka, announcement di halo-halo. Berdiri lah saya. 

“Hayu atuh pa/bu?” ajak saya.

Mangga silahkan duluan, kan teh Rosi mah bisnis class katanya.

Anjay.. Jadi malu

Da aku mah bisnis kelas ge karena teu kahaja haha..

Masuk pesawatlah aku.

Lah, ternyata seatku nomor 1A. Terdepan dong yes? Belakangnya pilot? Ini bisnis class atau first class sih? 

Ehmm…

Gak ngerti sayah.

Doble keberuntungan ini namanya.

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1A?

Yallah…

Sebelum duduk di seatnya, aku udah kagum duluan. Bantalnya dikasih dua. Gede-gede pula. Selimutnya ya ampun.. Gede banget, tebel pulak. Semuanya premium. Disediakan pouch, isinya banyak. Parfum, hand cream, face cream, lip balm. Disediakan sandal pula. Lagi clingak-clinguk norak, tetiba dihampiri pramugari-pramugari.

“Selamat datang di penerbangan kami, saya pramugari.. (dia sebut nama dan memperkenalkan diri) kami siap melayani anda. Apakah ada minuman yang diiinginkan?” tanyanya.

Tak lama segelas orange juice dengan gelas premium datang, bukan gelas plastik kelas ekonomi tentunya heuheu..

Noraknya dilanjut.. Di kolong kaki ada sandal hotel yang tebel. Ada bag kecil isi menutup mata, kaos kaki dll.

Ngelirik ke kiri, ini apaan logo-logo kecil banyak banget. Sementara itu aku raba-raba kursi mana tombol maju mundurnya?!

Ealah.. Ternyata tombol-tombol yang banyak itu kursi adjustment. Gak hanya maju mundur, tapi juga naik turun. Senderan atas bawah, rebahan sampe slonjoran. Kabeh weh dicoba.  Sampe-sampe semua kaki masuk ke kolong meja wkwkwkkk… beneran asa tidur di lantai

Lagi norak-norak bergembira gitu, tetiba pintuku diketok.

“Welcome to a board, madam,” ceunah.

Anjay… madam euy…

Kali ini ia memperkenalkan diri manajer pramugaranya. Ganteng dan ramah.

Nama saya … (dia memperkenalkan diri) 

Jika anda perlu bantuan apapun beritahu kami, ceunah.

Apakah anda ingin cemilan? Kacang-kacangan? 

Yes plis kata akuteh.

Oiya di setiap mereka “serv” dan bertanya mereka selevel mata/ selevel badan denganku yang duduk ini.

Tak lama kacang mete dan kawan-kawannya datang semangkok kecil. Aku makan dikit. Sisanya aku masukan ke dalam tas. Hahah..

Yang bikin aku amaze, tivinya gede. Tempat duduknya kayak double gitu, dua. Dibawahnya ada kayak kulkas kecil isi air putih botolan.

Masih raba-raba. Clingak-clinguk, eh ada pramugari lainnya. Setelah memperkenalkan diri diri menawariku pijama. Tentu saja aku iyes. 

Kembali norak-norak bergembira. Bedanya dengan kelas ekonomi, disini kita di kasih menu list kayak hotel berbintang. Menunya edun-edun. Pilihannya banyak. 

Tak lama, datang pramugari lainnya. Dia menanyakan menu makan malam dan untuk sarapan besoknya. Mulai dari menu appetizer, main course, dessert sampai minuman penutup. 

Satu yang terpenting, kursinya empuk… pake banget. Ukurannya luas.

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Kita skip ceritanya langsung tiba di acara makan. 

Tentu saja aku orang pertamanya yang di “serv” karena seat aku nomor 1A, ye kan..

Pramugari cantik itu datang bawa peralatannya banyak banget.

Pertama-tama, mejaku ditarik. Sumpah tadi nyoba narik-narik meja makannya aku gak bisa hahah.

Setelah meja ditarik dan dilebarkan, dihamparkan tamplak meja putih bahan premium tebal.

Gelas posh, lilin romantic, cutterelis dan plate.

Selanjutnya, serbet makan warna putih kualitas premium dibentangkan di lap/ pangkuanku. Ala-ala service  bangsawan Inggris

Appetizer datang. Di Luar ekspektasi. Kirain udang and salmon teh di kumaha, sakumaha. Taunya seuprit. Udangnya sih besar. Direbus doang. Enak, manis fresh. Salmonnya mentah. Aku coba memakannya tapi pengen muntah haha. Caviarnya banyak. Sumpah ini pasti mahal. Tapi aku gak suka. Caviar alias telur ikan salmon itu di mulut rasanya kres-kres crot crot asa nyetrokan naon kitu. Ah teu diabisin. Tapi saucenya enak sih, seger.

Setelah abis, jedanya lama, baru pramugara tampan datang untuk mengambil piring kotor. Lama.. pisan..

Sampe-sampe aku tanya,
“Ari ini teh saya dapat main course teu sih?” kata aku teh ahaha
Dia bilang, tentu saja.

Beda urang jeung kaum bangsawan tah kieu. Urang mah makannya rusuh, sat-set, beres! Soalnya kebiasaan, kerjaan selanjutnya menanti. Ari kaum bangsawan mah karakterna santuy da geus loba duit meureun nyak? wkwkwk…

Main course datang. 

Beef steak. Endulita! Enak tiada tara. Steaknya empuk. Hanjakal porsinya sedikit. Asa ngegantung hahah

Lama……
Lanjut dessert.
Tak kalah enak. Ice cream, cake, source nya enak….

Singkat cerita makan malam yang durasinya panjang itu meninggalkan kesan mendalam. Itu adalah dinner terbaik yang pernah saya rasakan. Bukan di bumi pulak, tapi di udara! Aslinya, double jackpot ini mah. Eh, jackpot kuadrat ketang. Berkesan, enak, di udara, terutama, GRATIS! Sungguh Mengesankan! 

Acara dinner selesai, pramugara mengambil semua peralatan makan, merapikan meja. Seterusnya aku ke toilet, gosok gigi dan ganti piyama, anjay…

Balik ke kursi, siap-siap untuk tidur. Pramugari nutup pintu, ngasih tau lampu di sudut kursinya mau dimatikan? Katanya. Yes plis kataku. Aku buka kerudung, hanya pake ciput, diselimut, tidur selonjor, bisa ngulet bebas. Ada rasa privasi disini. Alhamdulillah. Malam itu aku tidur nyenyak.

Masuk waktu sarapan aku dibangunkan. Pintu penyekat tempat dudukku diketuk halus sama mas pramugara.

“Mau disiapkan sarapan sekarang?” tanyanya ramah.

Yes plis, jawabku.

Ntar, ini kok nawarin sarapan masih gelap gini. Tapi ya sutralah ya..

Step by step sajian sarapan dilakukan sama seperti makan malam tadi, pake taplak, condiment dll. 

Kita skip, penerbangan hampir selesai, aku ke toilet, gosok gigi, ganti baju, merapikan diri. Ehm.. ini piyama diapain ya? Bungkus dong yes? Wkwk.. Gapapa juga kan ya? Kan itu udah included, plus poach and sandal, yang kesemuanya itu aku bagikan ketika aku di Indo.

Pesawat sudah mendarat, semua sudah berdiri. Taukan aku 1A, Oh.. gini rasanya berdiri paling depan di antara semua penumpang di pesawat itu hehe..

Ya Allah takdirkan kembali aku berdiri paling depan dalam penerbangan-penerbangan berikutnya. Aamiin YRA

Yang mau lihat visualnya ada di video ini, klik aja linknya

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English Version

Lovely Experience From The Economy to The First Class 

For as long as I’ve been travelling, I’ve always wondered whether it’s possible to get upgraded from economy to business class. Every time I queue for boarding, I watch those passengers stroll in first, get served first, and I can’t help imagining what it must feel like.

There was even a time when I looked it up. Apparently, business class isn’t always full. And if you’re curious, or don’t mind embarrassing yourself, economy passengers can try joining the very last line of business‑class passengers.

When it’s your turn to board, if you’re smooth enough with your words, you can try asking for a free upgrade. And in some cases, it’s actually happened. If you don’t believe it, give it a go yourself. As long as you’re brave enough to risk the embarrassment. If you’re curious, you can find plenty of stories online.

As for me, I’ve never tried. The chances are basically non‑existent.

Still, the dream of sitting in business class is always there. But digging deeper into my pound sterling savings? Absolutely not.

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On Saturday afternoon we arrived at London Heathrow 3.5 hours before the flight. The plan was to queue as soon as the check‑in counter opened. Usually, the desks open 3 hours before departure.

I thought I had half an hour to spare. I opened social media and WhatsApp to update my family in Indonesia. Fifteen minutes passed. I casually checked the information board, and the counter was already open. Off I went.

And wow…

The queue was already long and winding. The service was painfully slow. Turns out it was two flights sharing the same queue. I thought it was just mine. Apparently, the previous flight hadn’t finished checking in, and the next flight’s passengers were joining too. People were grumbling, but what could we do?

Eventually it was my turn. Time was tight. After checking in, I ran straight to the gate. The gate was empty; after scanning I went straight onto the plane and sat down. But of course, we still had to wait for the rest of the passengers. In the end, the plane was delayed 45 minutes.

I had a window seat, travelling solo. You know how it feels when you need the loo, right?

Yup! you have to squeeze past the two people next to you. If they’re awake, you can tap them and ask to pass. That’s if they’re nice. If they’re moody?

Unfortunately, the two next to me were in double trouble. One kept sleeping, the other was grumpy. Wanting to squeeze past them and being someone who hates inconveniencing others. I ended up holding in my urge to wee. Eventually the feeling faded away.

When the meal service came, the two of them woke up. They started eating the not‑so‑special food. And the urge to wee returned. Almost everyone had finished eating. 

All the trays were still in front of the passengers. Across the aisle, someone took the initiative to stack the trays so they could fold their table away. Some stretched their legs, some went to the loo. I thought, this is my chance.

“Excuse me… can I get through? I need the toilet,” I said.

“Erm, later yeah, once they’ve taken the trays,” replied the girl with tan skin and slanted eyes.

Honestly… getting dismissed like that by a kid, I couldn’t believe it.

She glanced at me for a second then went straight back to her phone. Playing a game or whatever. Since she boarded, she’d been in that exact position, head down, phone in landscape mode. Didn’t sleep, didn’t turn on the TV. Completely opposite to her friend, who slept the entire time and only woke up to eat. 

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Seven hours of the UK–Doha journey passed. Half the trip done. The stopover was supposed to be more than 4 hours. With plenty of time, I managed to pray Fajr in Doha airport’s beautiful prayer room. I even lay down for a bit. Also had time to edit videos and so on.

Finally, the boarding gate opened, late, again. From the start, Qatar’s service had been messy. I queued again. After ages in line, when it was time to scan my boarding pass, beep… beep…

The gate wouldn’t open. 

“Over there, ma’am,” said the staff, pointing to the other desk. After checking:

“Oh, sorry, the flight is fully booked,” she said.

What?! How is that possible? My boarding pass clearly had my name and seat number printed on it.

How does that even happen?

Two people with the same seat?!

Qatar Airways was a complete mess at that time

Anyway, the lady told me to go to the transfer desk, which was ridiculously far. 

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Doha airport is amazing, huge.

Which makes it difficult for us.

Straight, turn, straight, turn, this way, that way, lift up, turn, straight, straight, turn, huff… finally arrived.

There were a few people queueing at the transfer desk. Then it was my turn. She explained the same thing.

“I am not happy!” I said, properly annoyed.

After a long discussion, they agreed to put me on the next available flight at 6.45pm.

“What?! Ten hours!” I said.

“That’s ridiculous! What am I supposed to do for 10 hours? I’m tired, hungry, walking everywhere!” I complained.

“Yes, sorry madam,” she said.

If you’re tired, we can offer a hotel, she said. We can also give you meal vouchers for the restaurants in the airport.

“It’s not about the food or the hotel,” I said, because once I arrive in Jakarta I have an appointment on Monday morning that I can’t cancel.

“Yes madam, sorry, but that’s the earliest flight we can offer. The plane will land at 7.30am. Hopefully you can still make your appointment,” she said.

“No,” I said firmly.

“Oh yes, we forgot to inform you, on the next flight you’ll be getting business class, and it’s the only seat we have left,” she said.

Ooh… I thought to myself… hmmm…

Meanwhile, they kept apologising.

In short… DEAL!

A Surprise Upgrade:
My Accidental First Class Adventure With QATAR Airways

I’ve always been one of those travellers who secretly dreams of being upgraded to business class. You know the feeling, watching those lucky passengers stroll in first, sipping their welcome drinks while the rest of us shuffle along in economy. It’s a harmless fantasy, but a fantasy nonetheless.

So when the transfer‑desk staff at Doha Airport told me to take a seat while she sorted out my business‑class ticket, along with a hotel room and meal vouchers, I could barely contain myself. She kept apologising for the inconvenience, while inside I was practically screaming:

“Yeay… my dream came true!”

It genuinely felt like a little surprise gift from Allah.

I wondered what to do first, eat or head to the hotel.

The hotel won.

I assumed it would be far away, so I asked about transport. Turns out it was literally the hotel I always walk past while taking photos around Doha Airport’s prettiest spots. If you’ve seen my IG clips, you’ll know exactly which one I mean.

The moment I stepped inside, freezing cold.

Clean, spacious, double bed, lovely bathroom. Perfect.

You can see the visual on my Instagram in this link, CLICK THE LINK 

Naturally, the first thing I did was take photos before the room got messy. Then I lay down for a bit, updated my family in Bandung and my loved ones in the UK, and waited for hunger to kick in.

Food Court Adventures & My First Wagamama

Eventually, hunger won.

Off to the food court I went.

Doha Airport has endless food options. I ended up choosing Wagamama, funny, because in the UK the chain is everywhere, yet I’d never tried it. I ordered brisket ramen and a watermelon juice, then sat facing Doha Airport’s “tropical forest” installation. As if there’s a rainforest in the middle of the Arabian Peninsula.

But that’s Doha Airport for you, always innovating, always adding new attractions. Tropical forest, wall waterfall, crystal‑like dome, fountains, playgrounds, sculptures, endless branded shops. It’s honestly the coolest airport I’ve ever been to.

After eating, I still had plenty of time.

Back to the room.

Slept like a baby.

The receptionist had set an alarm for me, and when it rang, I got ready. Showered, dressed, and walked out feeling fresh and confident. like a model in a commercial.

A Familiar Face at the Gate

On the way to the gate, I edited some videos and typed a bit. Then I spotted someone familiar, a former Education and Culture Attaché from the Indonesian Embassy in London. We’d met years ago when I lived in Worcester and attended the Bristol pengajian.

We chatted, and it turned out he and his wife were also victims of Qatar’s messy service that day. Sadly, they didn’t receive any compensation yet, no business‑class ticket, no hotel, not even meal vouchers. Such a shame.

We talked about Bandung, ITB, aerospace, family, everything. It felt like bumping into an old neighbour.

When the gate opened, I stood up.

“Come on, pa/bu?” I said.

“You go first, you’re business class,” they replied.

Aduh… malu.

I was only in business class by accident,

Seat 1A: The Jackpot of All Jackpots

I boarded the plane and saw my seat: 1A.

Right at the front.

Behind the pilot, basically.

Was this business class or first class?

No idea.

But it felt like double luck.

Before even sitting down, I was already amazed, two big pillows, a huge thick blanket, a premium amenities pouch, slippers, everything spotless and luxurious.

Then the flight attendants came one by one, introducing themselves, offering drinks, snacks, pyjamas, menus… I felt like royalty.

The seat had more buttons than a spaceship. Recline, lift, stretch, lie flat. I tried everything. At one point my legs were fully under the table. It genuinely felt like sleeping on the floor, in the best way.

Dinner in the Sky — Literally

Dinner was an experience.

The table pulled out for me (because earlier I couldn’t figure it out myself).

Thick white tablecloth.

Posh glassware.

Candle.

Cutlery.

Napkin placed on my lap like I was some British aristocrat.

Appetiser: prawn, raw salmon, caviar.

The prawn was lovely.

The salmon… not for me.

The caviar… crunchy, popping, weird.

But the sauce was nice.

Main course: beef steak.

Delicious. Tender.

The portion was too small — felt like it ended too soon.

Dessert: ice cream, cake, sauce.

Also delicious.

Honestly, it was the best dinner I’ve ever had, and it wasn’t even on land.

A double jackpot.

Actually, jackpot squared.

Memorable, delicious, in the sky, and FREE.

After dinner, I changed into my pyjamas, brushed my teeth, and settled in. The attendant closed my little door, dimmed the lights, and I slept like a queen.

Breakfast, Landing, and a Little Prayer

Before breakfast, the attendant gently knocked on my door.

“Would you like your breakfast now, madam?”

Yes please.

Same fancy setup as dinner.

Same lovely service.

Before landing, I changed clothes, brushed my teeth, packed the pyjamas, pouch, and slippers, all included, all brought home, all shared with family.

When the plane landed and everyone stood up, I realised something:

This is what it feels like to stand at the very front of the entire plane.

Ya Allah, let me stand at the front again in future flights. Aamiin.

If you want to see the visuals, the video is on my Instagram , clik this link