Summary

  • Qatar Airways has consistently been recognized as one of the top airlines in the world.
  • If you’re planning on flying economy class with Qatar Airways, there are a few things you should know to make the most of your experience.
  • In-flight entertainment is a major selling point for Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways, an airline, has continued to dominate the aviation industry and creep up on its neighbor Emirates as one of the largest airlines by country served. The carrier, which is an oneworld alliance member, uses its geographical location as an optimal transit point between Europe & North America to Asia, Oceania, and Africa.

The airline serves all inhabited continents on the globe and has continually taken the crown with many of Skytrax’s most coveted awards. This year, the airline took home:

  • World’s best business class
  • World’s best business class lounge
  • Best airline in the Middle East

The competition in the aviation industry is fierce, and Qatar Airways is trying its best to always reign supreme. Over the decades, the flying experience has dramatically improved. Decades ago, boarding an aircraft was only for the rich and famous, with only a small niche who could afford an air ticket. As you may imagine, there was no difference between cabin classes in the early days of aviation. Every passenger was reserved a five-star service, irrespective of where they were seated onboard.

Fast-forward to today, technological advancements in aircraft manufacturing and cabin layout have allowed airlines to diversify customers’ targets. Gone are the days when flying could cost thousands; today, you could snatch up a ticket on an ultra-low-cost carrier for less than it could cost to buy lunch. However, some carriers have focused purely on an optimal travel experience, and that’s where Qatar Airways has positioned itself in the market.

These carriers have started to develop different hard products based on the passengers’ willingness to pay. Those who still requested a more personalized and luxurious experience flew first class, while the rest put up with a more standardized product and service in economy class.

Related

Tourist Class: The Precursor To Economy As We Know It Today

In the early days of air travel, passengers didn’t experience the tiered structure of different classes that we see today.

With many budgets tightening and an improvement in the business class product, passenger choice has moved in favor of business and economy class. While most of us would jump at the opportunity to travel in front of the aircraft, many of us would settle for the economy. Airlines have invested heavily in the passenger experience, developing solid economy class products which make the journey enjoyable for any passenger. This was proven when Qatar Airways won the best airline in the Middle East this year.

So, for us who travel in economy, how can we make the most of our time on Qatar Airways?

1

Set rules for baggage allowance

The number and weight of bags depend on the route and fare

When traveling, especially long-haul, baggage allowance is one of the main concerns for passengers. Airlines make a relevant amount of money out of excess baggage, and with average ticket prices well above 2019 levels, no one wants to take out their credit cards at the check-in counter.

Passengers checking in at the Qatar Airways check-in desk.

Photo: KenSoftTH I SHutterstock

However, when traveling economy class on Qatar Airways, you should know that Qatari Airlines has a unique set of rules regarding baggage allowance. The number of bags you are allowed to check in and their weight indeed depends on the route you are flying and the cabin class of the purchased ticket. The carrier imposes a maximum weight or number of bags depending on the route, as shown in the table below.

Route

Economy Classic

Economy Convenience

Economy Comfort

To/From Africa/Americas

  • Two bags
  • 50 pounds (23 Kg) each
  • Two bags
  • 50 pounds (23 Kg) each
  • Two bags
  • 50 pounds (23 Kg) each

All other routes

  • 55 pounds (25 Kg) combined total weight
  • No limit on the number of bags as long as their combined weight does not exceed 55 pounds
  • 66 pounds (30 Kg) combined total weight
  • No limit on the number of bags as long as their combined weight does not exceed 66 pounds
  • 77 pounds (35 Kg) combined total weight
  • No limit on the number of bags as long as their combined weight does not exceed 77 pounds

An essential piece of information you don’t want to miss out on is that, even if you decide to upgrade your ticket later, the baggage allowance rules applying to your trip are the ones of your original purchased ticket. Therefore, if you buy an economy class ticket with Qatar Airways from Doha to New York JFK and later decide to upgrade to business class, you are still only allowed to bring just two pieces of luggage for a total weight of 50 pounds (23 Kg) each. Additionally, you will not be granted access to the lounge before departure.

If you’re a student, you might want to join Qatar Airways’ Student Club, whose perks include increased baggage allowance and free WiFi. Additionally, after graduation, the airline will upgrade you to the next tier status of the Privilege Club, Qatar Airways’s Frequent Flyer Program (FFP), to celebrate your academic achievement.

2

Choosing the right economy fare

Qatar Airways offers four economy class fares

Once upon a time, when aviation was not as complex an industry as it is today, passengers purchased a ticket based on the cabin class they wanted to travel in—economy or first.

Since the arrival of low-cost carriers (LCCs), airlines have started to unbundle their fares to meet passengers’ needs better, thus maximizing revenue streams. The unbundling of fares led to generating three, four, or even more fares for each cabin class, depending on the services passengers require. In the case of Qatar Airways, there are four different fares for economy class:

  • Economy Promo
  • Economy Classic
  • Economy Convenience
  • Economy Comfort
A panoramic view of the Qatar Airways Economy Class cabin.

Photo: Mizkit I Shutterstock 

The first is based on promotions and is therefore not always available. Economy Classic is the next cheapest fare. However, holders of this fare can’t choose their seats. Additionally, if you are a member of the Privilege Club, you earn the least award miles by purchasing this fare. The following fare, Economy Classic, allows you to choose your seat and increase the award miles earned. Besides offering the perks of the Economy Classic, the Economy Comfort allows you to select a preferred seat and gives you access to the best upgrade rates when using Qatar miles (Qmiles).

3

Oryx One: endless entertainment

Enjoy up to 8,000 entertainment options

If you find yourself on Qatar Airways’ longest flight, from Doha to Auckland, you want to be adequately entertained; Doha to Auckland is just one of Qatar’s many long-haul flights. Fortunately, the airline has invested heavily in developing one of the industry’s best in-flight entertainment systems – Oryx One by Qatar Airways. No matter what kind of entertainment you’re looking for, Oryx One has something for all tastes, including:

  • Biggest blockbusters and best TV shows
  • Hollywood latest releases
  • Music
  • Games
  • Entertainment for children
A child and father sitting side by side in the Qatar Airways economy class cabin.

Photo: Qatar Airways 

Last September, Qatar Airways was awarded the 2023 best entertainment system in the Middle East prize by APEX (Airlines Passenger Experience). If you’re traveling with children, entertainment is perhaps even more critical. Therefore, Qatar Airways has developed a specific area of Oryx One destined for the youngest passengers – Oryx Kids Club, which offers a wide range of interactive activity packs, dedicated children’s channels, and games. So when you’re onboard, sit back, relax, and imagine your at the movies with this blockbuster experience.

4

Stay in touch

Enjoy Qatar Airways’ WiFi

One of the biggest inconveniences of flying is not being able to stay in touch with those on the ground unless the airline offers WiFi onboard, which is the case for Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways allows purchasing WiFi in all cabin classes, with different packages depending on your needs. If you plan on doing so, you should pre-purchase connectivity before your flight, which would afford you a 20% discount. Additionally, if you sign up for Qatar Airways Privilege Club, you get a complimentary hour of free Wi-Fi. WiFi is currently available on the airline’s fleet of

  • Boeing 777s
  • Boeing 787-9s
  • Airbus A350-900s
  • Airbus A350-1000s
Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Accelerating In Prague

Photo: Jaromir Chalabala | Shutterstock

Your WiFi access code can be used on one device only. Therefore, if you want to connect to Qatar’s WiFi on your mobile but have already logged in with your laptop, you would need to log out from the latter first to be able to connect with your phone.

5

Enjoy one of the most comfortable economy class cabins in the industry

World’s second-best economy class, according to Skytrax

Suppose you are booked on one of the longest-haul flights with Qatar Airways in economy class. Chances are good that you will enjoy the flight, as Skytrax recognized the airline’s economy class product as the world’s second-best business class in 2023.

When you’re onboard, Qatar encourages you to recline and relax in what is known to be one of the widest seats in the industry. Its adjustable headrest is designed for optimal support and comfort, with soft cushioning to ensure you can rest easily. If it’s time to sleep, get comfy under a warm blanket, allowing every passenger to fully unwind, have a snooze, or enjoy the airline’s impeccable hospitality.

Qatar Airways economy class ranked first in the Middle East in 2023 if a regional outlook were adopted. Notably, the Qatari airline’s dining experience in economy class was recognized as the world’s second-best after Turkish Airlines, while the seating ranked fifth, with Japan Airlines, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines on the podium. A hard product alone is insufficient for a flight to be remembered positively. Comfortable seating and a tasteful meal are always greatly appreciated, but perhaps the service sets an airline apart. In this sense, Qatar Airways again presents itself as a preferred airline, with Skytrax crowning the Qatari airline’s crew as the best in the Middle East last year.

If you are wondering where Qatar Airways’ economy class stands compared to the other airlines, here is Skytrax’s 2023 ranking for the world’s best airlines based on their economy class product:

  1. Japan Airlines
  2. Qatar Airways
  3. Singapore Airlines
  4. Emirates
  5. Virgin Atlantic
  6. Turkish Airlines
  7. Cathay Pacific
  8. EVA Air
  9. ANA (All Nippon Airways)
  10. Hainan Airlines

Have you ever tried Qatar Airways’ economy class before? Let us know by clicking on the comment button below!


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