Qatar Airways ✈️ Inflight Experience
Wondering if Qatar Airways is any good? Renowned for its exceptional service and luxurious amenities, Qatar Airways consistently ranks among the top airlines globally, with accolades for its business class.
But how is the inflight experience for the majority of its passengers sitting in economy class?
In this article, we recount our 1st-hand impressions of flying Qatar Airways economy on a long-haul flight to Indonesia. All is not necessarily as it appears in the airline’s glossy advertisements.
Highlights
- Why we chose Qatar Airways
- Longhaul Rome to Jakarta
- Seating & Onboard Service
- Is Qatar worth the extra cost?
- Useful Accessories for the Plane
- Airlines, Airports & Transfers
- The World’s Best Airlines
- Lufthansa Longhaul Experience
- Cathay Pacific Economy Class
- A Complete Indonesia Itinerary
Why we chose Qatar Airways
With their elitist television commercials and tip-top rating in the World’s Best Airlines, we were expecting great things from our Qatar Airways inflight experience.
This is why we snatched up the opportunity to fly with them from Rome to Jakarta for around €500 per person, economy class.
We could have chosen cheaper flights with other airlines, but we thought it would be worth paying the extra just to savour the inflight experience of an airline which is regarded as one of the best in the world.
Longhaul Rome to Jakarta via Doha
Our return flight to Jakarta comprised 4 flight legs, stopping in Doha on both outbound and inbound flights.
The first leg from Rome to Doha took around 5 hours, and was something of an eye-opener.
Cramped Seating & Mediocre Service
Fairly cramped seating and distinctly average food and beverages made the flight quite unremarkable. This was the first long-haul flight we have taken where the red wine was served into plastic cups from an open bottle on the trolley.
Forget individual small wine bottles and spirit miniatures.
A 10-hour layover in Doha, with nothing offered to ease the discomfort, did little to improve our impressions.
The 8-hour onward flight from Doha to Jakarta provided us with more of the same mediocre service, leaving us jaded and somewhat disappointed by the time we arrived at our destination.
These are perhaps some of the reasons why Qatar is dropping in the ratings.
Yes, each seat has its own USB charger, and there is free Wifi during the flight, but these are services that are now being offered by more and more airlines.
We’ve had better inflight experiences on KLM and Emirates, and even on Turkish Airlines.
On our return flight, we were packed uncomfortably in the central seating section, with the same minimal food and beverage offerings.
So is Qatar worth the extra cost?
With an increasingly competitive market for flight tickets, Qatar Airways economy inflight services do not merit their premium costs and inflated reputation.
You’d do better to book with another airline, and use the money you save on upgraded accommodation at your destination.
If you’ve also suffered an underwhelming Qatar Airways flight, check out our other Airline Experiences. You may also like:
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