nivsy

So for quite a number of years I have flown BA long haul amongst other one world carriers, with the others being generally better than BA offerings...then I try ex OSL Qatar...first the 787 Dreamliner service to Doha and then the 350 onward to Singapore and then vice versa on return. On all 4 sectors I was pretty much in awe. What a difference in method of service, the detail and the feeling of being a welcome customer compared to that of BA. The seating, the food, the wine and champagne and the little touches were just wonderful...well done Qatar and I look forward in flying Business class again when i can!^

stagsfan

Agreed. I flew Qatar from BRU to CPT via DOH (and return) last November, and was so impressed. All 4 of those legs were on the 787. I have previously flown Virgin UC a number of times, and felt Qatar's service and food was better. Think I still prefer the LHR clubhouse over al Mourjan in DOH, but minor issue really.

In July I am flying BA F for the first time and am actually a bit apprehensive (ok first world problem - but years of savings miles to get there). The seat looks no better than the Qatar J seat. And there are some non too promising discussions on the BA page at the moment.

But then in November back on Qatar from BHX - PER.

capin

Hahahaha, Whatever you do, Don't mention any of this on the BA forum......They get a little upset at the mere suggestion that there could be a better airline out there :-)

I'm really looking forward to my next QR biz fight, AMS-DOH-BKK, 28th May. Qatar are in a different league to BA.

gms

Yep. QR doesn't have to make a profit

ajeleonard

snipped (legal)

msm2000uk

[snip]

If you wish to make political comments, please use the OMNI.

M

Sixth Freedom

Deleted by request

I would like to publicly apologise for my previous comments in this thread and express my wish to fully retract them.

gms

While I don't necessarily fully agree with ajeleonard's second point (I have direct personal experience of working in Qatar, although not for QR), I don't see any reason why it should not be posted within this thread. His first point is certainly highly relevant (as I also highlighted). There are a number of reasons as to why QR has competitive advantage over other airlines, which is the essence of this thread.

You make a great contribution to this forum, but just because you don't agree with something doesn't mean you should tell someone to go elsewhere.

capin

[snip]

1. I'm not bothered whether QR make a profit of not. I'm concerned with safety, punctuality, service, personal space, catering, wine list. pjs and slippers, but not whether they make money.

2. If I felt or there was irrefutable evidence that any organization were mistreating their staff, I would boycott them. I've seen nothing to suggest this is the case at QR.

ashkale

OK I dont see the little touches but QR have a far superior hardware and software to all OW members. It remains the best way to redeem.

msm2000uk

My comment was more so as a general warning, as I have seen similar threads turn political - hence I wanted to nip the issue in the bud before it veered that way. I think it is important to differentiate between QR and the State of Qatar.

In terms of the comments since, I agree with those of Sixth Freedom, gms and capin.

I have spent time working in Qatar, as well as other areas of the Middle East. I also have many (15+) friends who work for QR in a variety of roles.

Of the friends working for QR, some have been there for over 3 years, and some less than 3 months. However, none have horror stories, and none of them have encountered human rights issues. Do they have challenging moments in their jobs? Sure, but who doesn't. Do they feel like second-class citizens? Not at all.

M

Dr. HFH

There's a reason that it looks no better than the QR J seat. I like QR J much better than BA F.



Exactly. The airline's profitability, like that of any business I patronize, is not my problem.



There are lots of places where people can be fired for making a mistake, even minor ones. If you're going to pick on Qatar for this, make sure that you include the rest of them, too. And please let me know when you finish typing them. I'll expect to hear back in a few days.


SNIP

Again, assuming that the allegation is true, good thing that Qatar is the only place in the world where there's corruption. We know, for example, that there's no corruption in the U.S. with unions.

SNIP

Again, I would imagine that it's not that different from many other countries where the cultural differences are great.

IAN-UK

That's a fine list, but I just wondered how you assess safety?

The underlying concern about an airline not making money, is that there will, sooner or later, be pressure to cut costs, improve efficiency. QR has already cut back on its largesse in the softer areas immediately discernible to customers: the worry has to be what corners might be cut in less visible sectors of the airline's operations.


There's been plenty to suggest that some categories of staff have not been treated at all well. Of course this is refuted by the carrier, and other interested parties: so I guess there'll be no boycott

Just a couple of references suggesting all is not well:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...nant-employees

http://www.itfglobal.org/en/news-eve...orld-alliance/

and, for fairness, the airline refuting the calumny:

http://dohanews.co/qatar-airways-ans...le-cabin-crew/

IAN-UK

It might not be a problem, but you could have real and legitimate concerns if you are aware of financial tensions within any business you grace with your custom.

Suppliers on the skids are unlikely to honour guarantees, restaurants on thin margins can be tempted to cut corners, travel companies heading for the rocks can strand you overseas, airlines in similar straights .... well, who knows ?

Dr. HFH

Well, that's just it. As long as QR (or any business I patronize) is doing what it's supposed to, I don't care. And if it's not, I don't particularly care why, -- I'll find a substitute provider.