I've read stories via other forums that have suggested that QR has finally capitulated and will be offering OW E & S access to their lounges in Doha.

I've read stories via other forums that have suggested that QR has finally capitulated and will be offering OW E & S access to their lounges in Doha. Could anyone confirm this please.

If this is true, this is probably related to their move to the new Hamad International Airport (right next to the old Doha Airport) and the possible closure of their Premium Terminal (meaning that all their business/first facilities are colocated in the main terminal and are therefore classified as lounges - which come under the oneworld status recipriocity agreements).

This has been confirmed by CEO Akbar Al Baker and reported in Business Traveller.

Thanks eminere. I was hoping to corroborate that information from other sources. Also keen to obtain further clarrification (if any) around the status of the QR LHR lounge - Is this a change of heart on the part of QR management or merely a realignment based of logistically changes?

Yes Peter, the change is in relation to the move to the new terminal.

This is total heresay, but I read somewhere on FlyerTalk that QR's plan is to have segregated lounges for its own Business/First pax, and another catchall lounge for its elites and OW sapphire/emerald.  Somewhat like what Singapore has with its SilverKris / Krisflyer lounge setup, or Lufthansa's Senator Lounges v First Class Lounges