Qatar airlines - anyone feedback?
 

I am considering a flight from London to the Maldives (via Doha)with Qatar Airways in either business or first class. I cannot find any reference to the airline anywhere in the site - has anyone flown with Qatar, and if so, can you tell me anything about the service they offer in these 2 classes, and whether first class is worth the extra cost?
Also their mileage scheme seems pretty uninspired and inflexible - I'm unlikley to fly Qatar again so would appreciate any views on how to tranfer points earned on this flight/use the flights to collect points for another scheme if posisble.

Haven't flown in first, but flew business to DOH and back in november for the WTO conference. The service was fairly good (a lot better than BA Club World), I didn't eat on the flight as I was sleeping for a lot of it, but the colleague flying with me had no complaints.

The only annoying thing that I found was that the seat cushions were too thick. i.e. When the leg rest was down my legs were swinging freely as my feet wouldn't touch the ground (I'm only 5'6") http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Given the choice between QR or BA in business, I would definitely go for QR.

Steve

p.s. Wasn't bothered about the miles as it was only one round trip, so can't offer any input on this.

[This message has been edited by steveda (edited 04-10-2002).]

why don't you fly Emirates? Heard their C product is very good.

I recently acquired a First Class menu from Qatar. It looked fantastic!

Emirates would normally be a great option but for my travel dates Qatar is offering significantly better fares and much better flight times (Emirates flight to Maldives involves a stopover of several hours in Dubai at 2am - potentially not much fun!)

The big question is whether I'm better off travelling in business class, which from Steveda's response sounds as though it's reasonable, or pay the extra to go first.

I'd like to get some sleep so the quality of the seats is important, plus a good meal is always welcome so Seat 2a's posting about the first class menu is encouraging, but any more views gratefully received to help me make my mind up!

Not that it has the best reputation, but I remember seeing a Qatar Air first class trip report on airliners.net a few months ago.

I don't think that Emirates's business product is that good. I would not take them as a 1st choice. Their 1st class has good service and meals but they still don't have beds in 1st yet, so have stopped using them to Oz.

Dave

Emirates' current business class is below the industry standard. Pitch is less than 50 inches and service is very inconsistent IMO. I do have a few business class/first class menus that I could post if you want.

Qatar Airways has improved their premium cabins A LOT since the change of management back in'97 (if I'm not mistaken!)

By the way Dubai airport is beautiful and the LHR flight arrives at 2355 so you would only spend about two hours transit. It's very live at that time, contrary to what most people would think.

Regards

You can collect miles under the LH Miles&More scheme.
Their biz/first products seem fairly good on the A330 flying from London (sleeper seats in C, like SQ-CX). Limo transfer from aircraft to terminal and back in Doha is very interesting. Considering it to Maldives as well.

On airlinemeals.net someone posted nice looking Qatar Air meals. They are Y but he rated them very highly.

I'd fly them just for their stylish logo-- a picture of a beautiful goat on the tail.

I flew Qatar Airlines Y class a few weeks ago from CGK to KUL - about a 2 hour flight on a A300-600 (A7-AFC).

There were only 2 westerners on the plane, and they sat us both together. A few comments re the flight:

* Flight attendants were extremely friendly and very attractive. 10 out of 10 right there.
* Inflight entertainment was excellent with non-stop Tom & Jerry http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. Seriously.
* Ground staff were excellent in CGK.
* Food - lots of it, and rather tasty.
* Actual aircraft was clean and extremely modern.
* Seat pitch was better than average.
* Hot towels, candies before landing, and other such frills were provided throughout the flight.

As a matter of fact, I was so impressed with Qatar Airlines, that I will be sure to fly them again if possible. I have now racked up 1/4 million flying miles and that Qatar flight was one of the best in Y class.

Was quite an interesting little trip that one. I flew KUL-CGK on Yemenia Yemen Airlines and then CGK-KUL on Qatar Airlines. I might even draft up a little trip report in the next couple of days.

[This message has been edited by MilesDependent (edited 12-21-2002).]

It will be more than welcome, at least to me ! Did you take a look at their C and F on the A300-600 ??

QR aims at catching up with Emirates. So it could be a very wise choice, especially when one is a member of LH M&M.

I've flown Qatar Air a few times - MUC-DOH (and back), DOH-DXB (and back).. both times in Y. Clean, good food, good service.. and usually quite a diverse array of FAs.

Can only imagine their C/F class products.. if the Y was that nice !

You can accrue Lufthansa miles while flying Qatar Airways. They also are a partner with Virgin but I couldn't find any info on Virgins website if they allow mileage accrual.
For more info see http://www.qatarairways.com/home.html