Qatar Airways has been offering some excellent airfare deals on flights to Europe lately. But do these low fares come at the expense of quality?
One member is considering using the Doha-based oneworld airline for the first time on an upcoming trip, and seeks the opinion of the AFF community on whether Qatar Airways is worth giving a try.
There are some pretty good specials to Europe on at the moment flying Qatar. I am aware at Doha there are separate elite lounges from those for First/Business PAX.
In flight how do Qatar treat *O elites? Are there any members out there with relevant experience?
Overall, our members’ experiences with Qatar Airways have been overwhelmingly positive. Members have commented that they received good service in all cabin classes.
Oneworld elite members can expect to receive the usual perks such as priority check-in, additional baggage allowances, priority boarding and enhanced seat selection. There doesn’t appear to be any additional unpublished benefits afforded to flyers with status…
Priority boarding as normal as you would expect within oneworld. Elites don’t otherwise get anything special beyond what are published benefits.
But it seems this isn’t really a problem as the on-board experience speaks for itself…
No idea what happens in Y, but in J and F QR is exceptionally good as a standard (and I’ve been on a lot of them), so there is no need to be treated any differently, everyone is treated very well. The CSM personally greets everyone as does your dedicated FA and they all say goodbye and thank everyone passenger indivually and it’s very genuine. Cut above anything else service wise. If you’re on QR you’ll get into their lounges and the Flounge, IMHO, is the best in the world (but you have to be on their aircraft in their F) so I can’t imagine what more they could offer than just being great.
Qatar Airways is particularly renowned for its Business and First class service. Both the hard and soft products are reported to be consistently good. Qatar also operates some truly world-class lounges in its hub airport of Doha.
Unfortunately for Economy passengers, access to the best lounges in Doha is reserved for Qatar’s Business and First class passengers. Economy passengers with oneworld status are instead directed to inferior lounges in Doha.
Lounges in Doha for Y passengers are very sad.
Nonetheless, our members’ on-board experiences in Economy have been good. The seats are comfortable, there’s plenty of entertainment and meals are tasty. On the A380, which Qatar Airways already flies to Sydney and will start flying to Melbourne in June, Economy passengers can even choose a seat on the upper deck. The back of the upper deck contains 8 rows of seats in a spacious 2-4-2 layout.
Have you flown Qatar Airways recently? We’d love to hear about your experience HERE.
