Qatar Airways Privilege Club - UA First versus QR Business...which to take?

I know "they" say that First is always better. That said, I have the opportunity to take UA F or QR J from IAD to DOH and am in the final decision phase. A few caveats:

1. I don't care about differences in mileage earning/bonuses (my 1K is guaranteed regardless).
2. I'm not too bothered that UA is a 1-stop over DXB.
3. Arrival/departure times are irrelevant.
4. The F lounge at IAD versus the Premium lounge at DOH is irrelevant as I hope to spend less than 30 minutes in either of them and have no connections.
5. I'm 6'3".

It's all about the time that I'm on the plane...

So, are all the raves about QR Business on a 773ER enough to opt for it over UA First on a 772 (let's assume for now that UA doesn't swap out for an old, threadbare 772)?

My assessment to date is UA may win on the hard product (seat/IFE), and QR will win by a mile on the soft product (food/wine/crew service). Then again, I've heard that the QR bed in J actually "has room at the end", is pretty wide/long, and that the mattress/pillows, etc. are superior to UA F. Also heard the IFE is quite good. If these "hard product" accolades are true....is it possible a J product could actuallly be preferable to an F product?

Any FTs who can compare/constrast? Thanks much.

If your trip is after September 13th, EK begins nonstop IAD-DXB service with an easy connection to DOH.

I'd take QR J over UA F anytime !

For the 'extra space' on J, you have to request the bulkhead seats on QR.

Service and food is as good as UA F... and the QR aircraft is newer too.

If you haven't taken QR before, I'd suggest it. But the decision of course lies with you.

I would take F over J.

For me, the seat is the most important feature of the flight. UA's seat is much larger, has more storage and is more private.

Funny how people always ask and answer such questions without regard to price. Everyone says, "of course F is better than J," but this comes across as frivolous without the context of price.

Is it an award ticket? If so, what's the difference in price? Same question applies for cash ticket. Even though it might not affect your status, if it is a revenue ticket, you stand to earn considerably more reedemable miles as 1K on the UA flight than the QR.

If the price were identical, and not even taking into account mileage earnings, then UA F would be better in my opinion. Yes, the food, wine, pillow, blanket, general aircraft cleanliness, and IFE are better on QR by significant margins, but the UA seat is more spacious and private, and, though the FA quality is hit-and-miss, the ratio of FA-to-passenger is much higher on UA F. UA cabin crews in long-haul J/F usually have a human touch that I prefer to the wooden QR crews -- like getting served by your great-aunt versus by a robot. The robot might be more efficient, but the aunt is more likely to anticipate your needs and make you smile.

Also, the stop in DXB is not a trivial matter. I haven't taken it, but others have reported that it's basically like a transit with separate flights -- which in DXB means a long walk, security, then perhaps another security at the gate, with little time to use the lounge. The true non-stop is one factor in QR's favor, but I would still prefer UA F if the price were the same.

If you can swing EK F, then that's better of course, but I would probably prefer the seat on QR J on the B777 over any EK J, perhaps excepting the A380 -- especially considering the stop. (This does not apply if you are EK Gold and thus have a good chance at an op-up J->F.)

I'd take QR J over UA F anytime !.

+1

UA F service doesn't even come close to what QR offers!
Only the seat is better on UA, but the QR seat is still quite comfortable.

Looks like I've found a way to do both....

Next month I'll be flying on a paid F ticket from IAD to DOH and back. I've decided to go with UA and all the bonus PQMs/RDMs. This is a business trip, so the quality/space of the seat and ability to sleep is paramount.

Then, in early 2013, I've been able to get 2 Business Award seats on QR routing SIN-DOH-IAD for my partner and me on the return leg of a vacation. On this trip, it sounds like we'll give up a slightly larger, more private seat in exchange for a great soft product.

My only lingering concern about the QR flight (paid or award) is that the seat will be long enough for me at 6'3". Their website indicates 78" (6'6") but I never know if these stats can be trusted. Per Guy Betsy's suggestion, I've tried to get the bulkhead (1AB) on QR flights but they've indicated that they're blocked (perhaps bassinette seats?). Any assurances about QR Business seat size would make me feel I'd made a good decision about both the paid F on UA in August and the award J on QR in 2013.

Looks like I've found a way to do both....

Next month I'll be flying on a paid F ticket from IAD to DOH and back. I've decided to go with UA and all the bonus PQMs/RDMs. This is a business trip, so the quality/space of the seat and ability to sleep is paramount.

Then, in early 2013, I've been able to get 2 Business Award seats on QR routing SIN-DOH-IAD for my partner and me on the return leg of a vacation. On this trip, it sounds like we'll give up a slightly larger, more private seat in exchange for a great soft product.

My only lingering concern about the QR flight (paid or award) is that the seat will be long enough for me at 6'3". Their website indicates 78" (6'6") but I never know if these stats can be trusted. Per Guy Betsy's suggestion, I've tried to get the bulkhead (1AB) on QR flights but they've indicated that they're blocked (perhaps bassinette seats?). Any assurances about QR Business seat size would make me feel I'd made a good decision about both the paid F on UA in August and the award J on QR in 2013.

I think that you made a good decision. When the question is, QR J at J redemption prices vs. UA F at F redemption prices, I would choose QR (though, with the recent glitch highlighted on the UA forum, you possibly could have gotten a nice SQ J/F redemption). I think that at 6'3" you should be fine in QR seats.

They usually block all of the bulkheads until close to departure day. Keep checking.

You'll also be flying thru the new Doha International Airport and sample all the great offerings QR will be offering in their Premium Lounges (for paid/award J & F passengers only).

New airport due to open 12/12/12

New airport due to open 12/12/12

Inshallah :D

I've flown both UA F (once) and QR J (several longhaul flights) in the past year. UA was "old" F though. Easy choice for me: UA F was completely underwhelming. Service and quality of catering is not even in the same league as QR J. The only real advantage (depending on personal preference) of the seat is indeed the privacy. I find the QR seat (at least on 777) much better to sleep in. Plus you get PJ's on QR J, and not on UA F :). QR for me any day.

QR J any day. Just did QRJ and did UA F about 6 months ago. No comparison at all. the 15+ hour flight goes by fast on QR, seems that UA annoying FA gets to me after 8+ hours.