Apr 13, 2016, 2:03 am
Last edit by: remdk
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar where Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.
Ramadan is a holy month to Muslims and also a joyous and spiritual time. I am concentrating upon that which most affects Non-Muslim QR passengers during Ramadan.
When is Ramadan?
Because the Muslim´calendar is a lunar calendar the date in the Gregorian, or solar, calendar changes every year. Each year it is about 11 days earlier than the previous year.
Ramadan 2017 was 27 May to 25 June.
Ramadan 2018 was16 May to 14 June.
Ramadan 2019 was 6 May to 4 June.
Ramadan 2020 was 24 April to 23 May.
Ramadan 2021 was 12 April to 11 May.
Ramadan 2022 was 2 April to 2 May.
Ramadan 2023 wss 22 March to 23 April.
Ramadan 2024 is 10 March to 9 April.
Ramadan 2025 is 1 March to 30 March.
Ramadan 2026 is 18 February to 19 March.
Ramadan 2027 is 8 February to 9 March.
When does Ramadan actually start?
The Muslim day starts at sunset and continues to sunset. Sightings for the new moon are taken at sunset and when sighted the month of Ramadan has started. Fasting begins later in the Muslim day at sunrise. Thus if Ramadan starts on June 6th then it is the sighting of the new moon at sunset on June 5th that marks the official start. Tha actual start date may be different due to the fact that we live on a globe and it takes 24 hours to rotate on its axis! The dates quoted are for Qatar.
Are there exceptions to the rules?
There are exceptions to fasting rules such as the aged, sick, pregnant women, travellers, etc.
Some branches of Islam demand payment of a fine or a penance, such as feeding the poor, for breaking the fast whilst other branches do not. In some branches of Islam travellers may voluntarily choose to continue fasting whilst other branches forbid fasting whilst travelling.
When does Fasting take place?
Most agree that the times of fasting are from Sunrise to Sunset. Others use Dawn and Dusk. The latter could cause serious health problems for those who live at latitude 48.5 or greater. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twilight for an explanation.
How does Ramadan affect QR?
QR adheres to the rules of Ramadan as required by the State of Qatar.
Food is always available inside the airport and on all flights. This is because of the traveller rules.
Non alcoholic drinks are always available both in the airport and on all flights.
Alcohol is NOT available at Hamad International Airport either inside or outside the airport buildings, even at the Airport hotel. However in 2023 alcohol was being served in at least the Al Safwa and Al Mourjan airport lounges. At the moment it is not known if this also applied to other lounges. Pleas look at this years postings to see other lounges also served alcohol.
Alcohol is not available on most flights to/from muslim countries. Certain muslim countries, such as Malaysia, are regarded as multicultural countries and the in-flight alcohol ban does not apply. On all other flights to/from DOH alcohol is available after departure. The cabin crew decide when departure is. For some it is when you board the aircraft, for others closing the doors, others pushback and yet others after take-off. Where alcohol is permitted on the flight then it will be served by the glass, the bottle remaining in the galley. Pre departure alcoholic drinks as well as in flight drinks will normally be served on flights to/from DOH where alcohol is permitted. There may be exceptions. In 2023 AMM, AUH and SHJ served alcohol, on flights, at least some of the time. The AMM lounge also served alcohol. (See post 382)
In every respect, other than alcohol, service is unchanged throughout QR. BUT where alcohol is available it is not normally on display, but served by the glass from the bar or galley and sometimes needs to be requested..
Duty free alcohol is available at QDF. But there may be restrictions such as delivery to the aircraft door.
How does Ramadan affect The State of Qatar?
If you leave the airport during Ramadan please remember
1) the sale and public consumption of Alcohol is banned by law during Ramadan. In several, but not all, hotels alcohol may be obtained by residents from room service.
2) It is extremely offensive, and in some Muslim countries, including Qatar, a criminal offence, to be seen eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public during the period of fasting.
According to https://discoverqatar.qatarairways.c...madan/overview
"If you need to drink or eat, please do so in the privacy of your own room or in a place where you won’t be seen."
If you need to eat or drink please do it discretely and out of sight of others.
Want to know more?
If you want more information then http://marhaba.qa/ramadan-dos-and-donts-in-qatar/ is specific to Qatar. If you are also interested in health issues then A_guide_to_healthy_fasting is worth looking at, not only for health issues.
This Wiki and thread is about how Ramadan affects QR passengers.
Thanks are due to IAN-UK, Lobengula, RUN4FUN, sharp5flat9, SullyofDoha, VH-RMD and others for help in making this as accurate as possible.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar where Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.
Ramadan is a holy month to Muslims and also a joyous and spiritual time. I am concentrating upon that which most affects Non-Muslim QR passengers during Ramadan.
When is Ramadan?
Because the Muslim´calendar is a lunar calendar the date in the Gregorian, or solar, calendar changes every year. Each year it is about 11 days earlier than the previous year.
Ramadan 2017 was 27 May to 25 June.
Ramadan 2018 was16 May to 14 June.
Ramadan 2019 was 6 May to 4 June.
Ramadan 2020 was 24 April to 23 May.
Ramadan 2021 was 12 April to 11 May.
Ramadan 2022 was 2 April to 2 May.
Ramadan 2023 wss 22 March to 23 April.
Ramadan 2024 is 10 March to 9 April.
Ramadan 2025 is 1 March to 30 March.
Ramadan 2026 is 18 February to 19 March.
Ramadan 2027 is 8 February to 9 March.
When does Ramadan actually start?
The Muslim day starts at sunset and continues to sunset. Sightings for the new moon are taken at sunset and when sighted the month of Ramadan has started. Fasting begins later in the Muslim day at sunrise. Thus if Ramadan starts on June 6th then it is the sighting of the new moon at sunset on June 5th that marks the official start. Tha actual start date may be different due to the fact that we live on a globe and it takes 24 hours to rotate on its axis! The dates quoted are for Qatar.
Are there exceptions to the rules?
There are exceptions to fasting rules such as the aged, sick, pregnant women, travellers, etc.
Some branches of Islam demand payment of a fine or a penance, such as feeding the poor, for breaking the fast whilst other branches do not. In some branches of Islam travellers may voluntarily choose to continue fasting whilst other branches forbid fasting whilst travelling.
When does Fasting take place?
Most agree that the times of fasting are from Sunrise to Sunset. Others use Dawn and Dusk. The latter could cause serious health problems for those who live at latitude 48.5 or greater. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twilight for an explanation.
How does Ramadan affect QR?
QR adheres to the rules of Ramadan as required by the State of Qatar.
Food is always available inside the airport and on all flights. This is because of the traveller rules.
Non alcoholic drinks are always available both in the airport and on all flights.
Alcohol is NOT available at Hamad International Airport either inside or outside the airport buildings, even at the Airport hotel. However in 2023 alcohol was being served in at least the Al Safwa and Al Mourjan airport lounges. At the moment it is not known if this also applied to other lounges. Pleas look at this years postings to see other lounges also served alcohol.
Alcohol is not available on most flights to/from muslim countries. Certain muslim countries, such as Malaysia, are regarded as multicultural countries and the in-flight alcohol ban does not apply. On all other flights to/from DOH alcohol is available after departure. The cabin crew decide when departure is. For some it is when you board the aircraft, for others closing the doors, others pushback and yet others after take-off. Where alcohol is permitted on the flight then it will be served by the glass, the bottle remaining in the galley. Pre departure alcoholic drinks as well as in flight drinks will normally be served on flights to/from DOH where alcohol is permitted. There may be exceptions. In 2023 AMM, AUH and SHJ served alcohol, on flights, at least some of the time. The AMM lounge also served alcohol. (See post 382)
In every respect, other than alcohol, service is unchanged throughout QR. BUT where alcohol is available it is not normally on display, but served by the glass from the bar or galley and sometimes needs to be requested..
Duty free alcohol is available at QDF. But there may be restrictions such as delivery to the aircraft door.
How does Ramadan affect The State of Qatar?
If you leave the airport during Ramadan please remember
1) the sale and public consumption of Alcohol is banned by law during Ramadan. In several, but not all, hotels alcohol may be obtained by residents from room service.
2) It is extremely offensive, and in some Muslim countries, including Qatar, a criminal offence, to be seen eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public during the period of fasting.
According to https://discoverqatar.qatarairways.c...madan/overview
"If you need to drink or eat, please do so in the privacy of your own room or in a place where you won’t be seen."
If you need to eat or drink please do it discretely and out of sight of others.
Want to know more?
If you want more information then http://marhaba.qa/ramadan-dos-and-donts-in-qatar/ is specific to Qatar. If you are also interested in health issues then A_guide_to_healthy_fasting is worth looking at, not only for health issues.
This Wiki and thread is about how Ramadan affects QR passengers.
Thanks are due to IAN-UK, Lobengula, RUN4FUN, sharp5flat9, SullyofDoha, VH-RMD and others for help in making this as accurate as possible.
Ramadan Master Thread - 10 March 2024 to 9 April 2024
Apr 9, 2023, 12:26 pm
#376
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kuwait (KW)
Programs: Qatar Airways, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 2,712
Just flew KWI-DOH-KWI over the weekend, and perhaps I'm out of the loop but I came up against a confusing policy from QR: as per the cabin crew on both of my flights, intra-Gulf flights operating during Ramadan may or may not have bar carts loaded onto them, and there's no way to guarantee beforehand if they'll be present on your flight so even if you're flying J/F, expect an entirely dry flight. Flights between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and Qatar and Iran will not have alcohol loaded, period.
That being said, I passed through the Platinum lounge in the A concourse and champagne was served as usual on request from the bar staff, with all bottles concealed and removed from the shelves.
khabah
That being said, I passed through the Platinum lounge in the A concourse and champagne was served as usual on request from the bar staff, with all bottles concealed and removed from the shelves.
khabah
Apr 9, 2023, 1:30 pm
#377
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,918
Just flew KWI-DOH-KWI over the weekend, and perhaps I'm out of the loop but I came up against a confusing policy from QR: as per the cabin crew on both of my flights, intra-Gulf flights operating during Ramadan may or may not have bar carts loaded onto them, and there's no way to guarantee beforehand if they'll be present on your flight so even if you're flying J/F, expect an entirely dry flight. Flights between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and Qatar and Iran will not have alcohol loaded, period.
Apr 11, 2023, 10:31 am
#378
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 179
Kuwait, like Saudi is technically a dry country regardless of the time of year, so I would not be surprised if the prohibition would be observed onboard to/from during Ramadan
Apr 11, 2023, 10:35 am
#379
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 179
Just flew KWI-DOH-KWI over the weekend, and perhaps I'm out of the loop but I came up against a confusing policy from QR: as per the cabin crew on both of my flights, intra-Gulf flights operating during Ramadan may or may not have bar carts loaded onto them, and there's no way to guarantee beforehand if they'll be present on your flight so even if you're flying J/F, expect an entirely dry flight. Flights between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and Qatar and Iran will not have alcohol loaded, period.
That being said, I passed through the Platinum lounge in the A concourse and champagne was served as usual on request from the bar staff, with all bottles concealed and removed from the shelves.
khabah
That being said, I passed through the Platinum lounge in the A concourse and champagne was served as usual on request from the bar staff, with all bottles concealed and removed from the shelves.
khabah
Apr 15, 2023, 5:10 pm
#382
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami
Posts: 157
Flew to Amman and back. Not only was alcohol available on both flights, it was openly on the cart and all drinks were proactively offered. This was in economy. What surprised me more was that the Royal Crown lounge of RJ in Amman which was available to One World elites, had the bar operational with all types of alcohol available.
Apr 21, 2023, 3:39 am
#386
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Aberdeen
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 650
Do we think this is a permanent downgrade or just temporary because of Ramadan?
I can understand them cutting the drinks list down substantially but surprised if they remove all alcohol. Not even BA does that on its shortest 45 min flights.
I can understand them cutting the drinks list down substantially but surprised if they remove all alcohol. Not even BA does that on its shortest 45 min flights.
Apr 22, 2023, 1:56 am
#387
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 179
FA I queried seemed to think this was permanent going forward for all regional flights under 1 hour, but then again you never know. QR changes policy more frequently than most people change underwear
Aug 1, 2023, 8:32 am
#388
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 476
I hope I can have beer during my layover in Doha next March. Got a 19 hour layover onway to NZ.
Booked J using avios, totally forgot it is ramadan. Reassured to see others had success getting beer in lounge this year.
Booked J using avios, totally forgot it is ramadan. Reassured to see others had success getting beer in lounge this year.
Feb 10, 2024, 3:15 am
#389
Join Date: Apr 2023
Programs: BAEC Gold, SAS Silver
Posts: 33
I’m doing ARN-AMM-DOH-CMB and return in mid March (2024), first leg with RJ and the rest in QR J-class.
I guess I won’t know what alcohol will be served in the air and lounges until just a few days before as Ramadan kicks off. Writing to bump the thread and keep it active for this year’s duration.
I guess I won’t know what alcohol will be served in the air and lounges until just a few days before as Ramadan kicks off. Writing to bump the thread and keep it active for this year’s duration.
Feb 10, 2024, 1:33 pm
#390
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 476
I’m doing ARN-AMM-DOH-CMB and return in mid March (2024), first leg with RJ and the rest in QR J-class.
I guess I won’t know what alcohol will be served in the air and lounges until just a few days before as Ramadan kicks off. Writing to bump the thread and keep it active for this year’s duration.
I guess I won’t know what alcohol will be served in the air and lounges until just a few days before as Ramadan kicks off. Writing to bump the thread and keep it active for this year’s duration.
