Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Middle Eastern Airlines for BKK-LHR?

I am now considering which airlines I should use between Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Gulf Air in flying economy BKK-LHR route, as they seem to charge around the same price from travel agents in Bangkok.

I heard Emirates and Qatar are very good but as I am on Asia Miles my preference leans a bit towards Gulf Air. Can anyone who has flown any of these comment or compare in general how these airlines compare against each other in terms of seat pitch, IFE, food and service in economy class? Which of these offer PTVs?

I've flown all except for Kuwait. I'd go for Qatar as they are reliable and have mostly new planes. Qatar is also an easy place for tranfer though it is small and there's not much to do. Gulf seems to have more delays. Seat pitch seems to be about the saem on all four carriers. All in all, the flight times would determine my choice. I would avoid Kuwait at all cost.

You can earn Lufthansa M+M on Qatar, if that makes it easier for you to decide. GF delays tend to be between HKG and BKK - so if you originate in BKK then you can check time before heading to airport. Asiamiles would be nice to earn, but no MPC status miles..

I am now considering which airlines I should use between Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Gulf Air in flying economy BKK-LHR route, as they seem to charge around the same price from travel agents in Bangkok.

I heard Emirates and Qatar are very good but as I am on Asia Miles my preference leans a bit towards Gulf Air. Can anyone who has flown any of these comment or compare in general how these airlines compare against each other in terms of seat pitch, IFE, food and service in economy class? Which of these offer PTVs?

I've only flown GF and EK of the 4 you listed. Found Emirates to be a better experience overall.

I've flown all except for Kuwait. I'd go for Qatar as they are reliable and have mostly new planes. Qatar is also an easy place for tranfer though it is small and there's not much to do. Gulf seems to have more delays. Seat pitch seems to be about the saem on all four carriers. All in all, the flight times would determine my choice. I would avoid Kuwait at all cost.

I'd agree with Erik123 and say QR are nice but add that Qatar can be uncomfortable place to transfer if it's a long connection and worse if it is a busy of day. They only seem to have enough space for the number of passengers a few long haul aircraft bring.
Doha can get congested at times too so delays can occur when departing.

Never flown GF but I have been informed by others their not worth the money. Bahrain airport is bigger than Doha.

EK is nice though can feel a little crampt if it's a busy flight (In Y at least).
DXB ok place to transfer - bigger than Doha and Bahrain though personally I've never had an EK transfer longer than 50 minutes. Prices in the Dubai duty free seem to be much higher than the other airports too.

As previous posters have stated Qatar is only tolerable with lounge access. Small duty free, poor fast food joints and a prayer room are about all you get otherwise, and it gets REALLY crowded.

You can now credit Qatar to UA miles as well as LH, VS, and NH. I believe EK credits to CO, DL and UA plus JL and SAA. I think all published fare classes on both airlines will earn miles.

I think I'd rate QR a bit above EK in coach and they have mostly nice new planes. EK always seems very cramped in coach. But DXB is a far better airport to transit than DOH, even more so without lounge access. DXB airport is practically like a lounge, plus some of the lounges at DXB allow you to buy entry for a quite reasonable fee (US$17 at the Marhaba lounge which includes food and drinks). Some of the other lounges also may allow paid entry.

You can work out in the gym at the DXB concourse hotel for a small fee (I think US$9-15 depending on the services you want). It's open 24 hours a day.

Charles

I think I'd rate QR a bit above EK in coach and they have mostly nice new planes.

Charles

Some of the Qatar Airways planes (A300-600R notably) aren't too nice. They are old and don't have PTV etc.

However, the excellent A330-200/300's are used on both BKK-DOH and DOH-LHR/LGW

Cheers