Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Emirates, Etihad or Qatar

Have to fly to Sri Lanka from FRA. As flying in Y, search returned Emirates, Etihad and Qatar as possibilities (well, SQ came up as well, but don't feel flying to SIN and then back to CMB in Y), which one would you recommend? Etihad has worst connection, so thinking between Emirates ad Qatar.
Do you know if anyone of them has upgrade for cash at the gate from Y->C?

thank you

Sorry, this topic is better suited for the OMEAFFP forum.

Regards Oliver2002
Mod M&M forum

In Y, both Qatar and Emirates are fine. I would go for the better schedule.

If you search in the Qatar forum you will find recent (<2mths ago) threads or posts on the impossibility of upgrading on QR at the gate, so don't expect any possibility of that.

Check on your usual travel booking websites in case a special discounted fare / sale comes up.

I've only flown in Y on EY, not QR Y.
QR C and F class is great!

Y is fine on both. If the stopover is at least a couple of hours go for EK and you'll be in the brand new terminal at Dubai.

The new Terminal 3 in DXB that Emirates use is great - loads of shops and places to eat. The terminal in Doha is not great at all...very few shops and places to eat.

If you fly QR you'll get an A330 from FRA-DOH - in Y seating is 2-4-2 (2-3-2 in the last few rows of Y). From DOH-CMB, it's an A320 or A321 in standard 3-3 configuration.

If you fly EK you'll get a 777-300ER (seating 3-4-3) or A340 (seating 2-4-2) from FRA-DXB. From DXB-CMB, it's usually a 777-300ER (seating 3-4-3).

Thank you for the recommendations. I'm curious to check out the Dubai airport, so will try out emirates.

Thank you for the recommendations. I'm curious to check out the Dubai airport, so will try out emirates.

While a transit through DXB may not be so bad as some other Middle East airports the thought of sitting in 10 abreast Y seating on a 777 for any length of time fills me with dread. BA's 9 abreast 777 Y seating looks bad enough.