Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Emirates or Qatar MUC-SIN

Hi,
this question has been asked before but the threads I've found are a couple of years old and things keep changing. I am planning a trip to Singapore and found good deals on ECONOMY on both Emirates and Qatar. Both require a plane change in DXB (3hrs outbound/3hrs inbound) and Doha (7 hrs outbound/3 hrs inbound) respectively.

I was going to book Emirates because of the positive comments about Dubai Airport compared to the simple one in Doha (Does this still apply? Is the new terminal open?) until I found some comments about how horrible the seats are in the 3-4-3 configuration on EK with people giving only 1 or 2 points out of 10 and saying 'worst flight ever'. Other comments were narrow seats, no leg rest, and when the front seat reclines, your TV ends up in your face. I had this experience on Lufthansa last year and that's why I don't want to fly them this year. On this route, EK uses A340-300 and 777-300ER. Since there are only two of us, I am not too happy about the 3-4-3 configuration.

Qatar Airways on the other hand was praised with 9 points out of 10 for their seats. Food however, was only 'edible' on Qatar. Qatar flies a A330-200 and 777-300ER.

Interestingly, on another forum with entry dated Sep 2010, a lady said that if the stopover in Doha is long, you are brought to a hotel. I can't imagine that they do this for Y class but it seemed like she was flying Y class. I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere else and is 7 hrs stopover considered long? For me it is! If there is no hotel, then I'm not going to take Qatar.

Does anyone have any recent experience on either of these airlines long-haul?

Many thanks for your views.

I just flew Qatar Airways MUC-SIN last week in Y but with a two week stopover in DOH. MUC-DOH is on an A330 and DOH-SIN on a B777. The DOH-SIN leg was great, only 40 (!) people on board so I had the whole after economy cabin for myself to stretch out. I took QR640 which leaves at 7AM. They also have a flight to SIN which leaves at night, I guess that one is busier. Economy class on QR is pretty comfortable, good IFE and food is reasonable. Crew is always friendly.

It depends on your fare class if you are entitled to free accommodation, otherwise it's $125. You'll have to contact your local QR office to find out. I would say, if you get the free stopover go for QR, otherwise fly EK.

Continental1, do the seats have leg rests on Qatar? And is a 1-day stopover in Doha worth it - anything to see?
Qatar has another flight with a shorter stopover on the MUC-SIN leg but it costs more. If the seats are really more comfortable, then I would be willing to pay a bit more. Thanks.

The seats don't have leg rests but for an economy seat they are pretty comfortable. Window seats have IFE boxes though, reducing the legroom. I've been going to Doha for the last 5 years since I have family living there. You can easily spend a day there, it's pretty interesting. Especially this time of the year (around 25 degrees). Some interesting things to do (considering you arrive in the morning leaving in the evening):

-Souq Waqif: a traditional Arabic Market, fun to walk around for about an hour.

-Corniche: this can be combined with Souq Waqif (within walking distance of each other). This is the waterfront/park. Again, fun for an hour. Good views of the Doha skyline.

-Museum of Islamic Arts: can be combined with the Souq and corniche, again within walking distance. Even if your not into arts, the building is really pretty.

-Villagio Mall: an Italian style shopping mall complete with gondolas! If you don't like shopping you can still go here for a bite to eat.

-If you just want to relax at the beach go to the Intercontinental hotel. You can pay for a day of beach/pool access.

-You can also hire a driver and go Dune Bashing and see Saudi Arabia on the other side of the water.

A visitors visa is QR100 (€20). Feel free to ask if you have any more questions!

Moving this thread to the Other Middle East & Africa frequent flyer programs and airlines. Thanks for your understanding.

Jouy31
TravelBuzz moderator

Moving this thread to the Other Middle East & Africa frequent flyer programs and airlines. Thanks for your understanding.

Jouy31
TravelBuzz moderator

Sure took me some time to find out where this post went. I find it a little bit confusing here - this is such a big forum. Also, I'm not really asking a frequent flyer question nor am I trying to find out about miles and points so I didn't think of looking under 'Miles & Points -Airline Programs'.

Continental 1 - thanks for the tips. I'll read up a bit more.

One thing I'm wondering is whether it is ok for me as a woman with a 14 yr old girl to go around on my own. I know that there are rules for women in the Middle East but am a bit ignorant.

Why not look up Etihad? It's sort is the best of the two worlds.

The seats don't have leg rests but for an economy seat they are pretty comfortable.

Actually, that's incorrect. QR A330/A340/B777 fleets have leg rests but only in the Y class exit rows and bulkhead seats.

And there's always SQ....

The seats don't have leg rests but for an economy seat they are pretty comfortable.

Actually, that's incorrect. QR A330/A340/B777 fleets have leg rests but only in the Y class exit rows and bulkhead seats.

My fault, flew the 330 yesterday and they indeed had leg rests. Thanks.

My fault, flew the 330 yesterday and they indeed had leg rests. Thanks.

You are welcome, I hope you had a good flight.