As our trip drew to a close, it was time for our round – a – bout trip home. We started with this bizarre fifth freedom flight between Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on United Airlines.

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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 B777-2, Doha – Dubai

Our time in the Middle East drew to an end. Heading to the airport, the check in was a mess. There were long lines and only 4 check in agents working hard to fill an entire Boeing 777. Sharp eyed readers will note that this was the Etihad check in desks for our outbound AUH flight.

United Airlines
Economy Class
DOH-DXB (Doha International – Dubai International Airport Terminal 3)
UA 977 – Economy Class
8:20 PM – 6:27 AM + 1
Oct 21, 2012
Booked: Boeing 777-200
Flown: Boeing 777-200

That’s the err short “Premier Access” line on the left.

We were traveling as Aeroplan Star Golds in UA Economy. I asked our check in agent for a lounge invitation voucher and she turned us down. “I’m sorry there is no Star Gold Lounge here… but there is one in Dubai.” It wasn’t a disaster since we had experienced the Oryx lounge earlier compliments of Ethiad.

Secondary screening for the USA bound flights in their own separate areas, where our bags were torn apart with a polite thank you.

We boarded and took the ride out to the plane on another bus, the last non gate position of our trip. Once on board, we experienced a 40 minute delay in Qatar due to some radio issues the pilot was having. However, the flight that was scheduled to leave Dubai was scheduled to be late since the crew or pilots scheduled to work DXB-IAD went over shift and needed an additional amount of minimum rest hours. Our new departure time was pushed back to 2:01 A.M.

We got Arabic Lay’s potato chips and a Kit Kat just like the last run out between DXB-DOH.

It was a pretty short flight and we arrived into Dubai for our stop over without much incident.

Overall:

This United Airlines flight between Doha and Dubai was a pretty odd ball flight to be on. The flight has minimal service. Although you get a large wide body jet, the flight times are also a bit strange. I can’t think of many from this area that would choose United over Qatar, Emirates or Etihad that would usually service this route. Having said that, the United flight like many other that United flies, serviced our needs and was more than “adequate” for our transportation needs.

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