This flight was a continuation of our earlier flight on United Airlines from Washington Dulles to Dubai. United Airlines operated a fifth freedom route with continuing service from the United Arab Emirates into Qatar. When it came time ready to board in Dubai, we were set to go.

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This post is one chapter in our trip to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the Maldives on United Airlines and Etihad Airways. This trip was booked and credited to Aeroplan and Etihad Preferred Guest. For more information on how this trip was booked, please see our trip introduction here. For other parts of the trip, please see this index.

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Review: United Airlines, Dubai – Doha

United Airlines
Economy Class
DXB-DOH (Dubai Internationl Airport Terminal 3 – Doha International Airport)
UA 976 – Economy Class (L)
Oct 5, 2012
Booked: Boeing 777-200
Flown: Boeing 777-200

This is where the scenery started to get interesting. The Dubai to Doha segment was a brief flight. The far back of the plane was almost completely empty; 11 out of 124 seats were taken. Our departure flight from Dubai path took us over “The World” land development, over the Palm Jumeriah, and past the Burj Khalifa which is the tallest building in the world. If you are fortunate enough to be flying through this part of the world, the scenery from the plane is pretty unforgettable. Amazing I’d even say…

Overlooking the Palm Jumeriah and the World, the amazing thing was that the majority of the islands of had no buildings on them. 

The Meal: Arabic Lays Potato Chips and a Kit Kat!

Getting back to the flight, we entered into “dry” territory, with no alcohol being served. There was a beverage service of orange juice or water from a tray, along with a serving of Arabic Lay’s potato’s chips and a Kit Kat chocolate bar.

Our final approach into Doha was also over some pretty awesome scenery – salty dry desert contrasted with the waters of the Persian gulf. There was even the odd oil fire burning down there. Flying in was one of the few places in the world where you can see such a truly harsh environment.

We arrived in Doha to the first of many non gate positions and stepped into searing desert heat as the sun fell. Instantly feeling the warmth, you could tell the harshness of the light in the air. Everything was grey.

We took the shuttle bus and transferred without problem to the Marriott hotel for the night.

Overall:

The short fifth freedom flight with United Airlines between Doha – Dubai was one of the odder and more unique flights that I’ve experienced. The plane was pretty empty, the scenery was spectacular, and the flight was one of the first few that I had been on that were completely “dry” and alcohol free. Unfortunately, United later ceded this territory to the Gulf Carriers and no longer operates this route. Despite this, it still remains in the memory books as one of the more different flights that I’ve taken.

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