Qatar or Emirates

[Miguelito]

I need to book a flight and these are my two main options. Any thoughts? (I’m normally a Star Alliance guy, not One World.)

[scoffer]

Let me book the seats for you, I'll try to get one near the toilets so you don't have to walk very far.

[newnewnewbie]

Aren't all seats in Premium class usually close to the toilets?

[batshitcrazyweirdo]

Scoffer doesn't even know where to book the tickets, let alone where the toilets are. Just let him do his thang. Have Magoo on a plane to Timbuktu. All good.

[Spigzy]

Preferred Qatar out of the two, but much of a muchness frankly.

[Playboy]

I personally prefer Emirates, but nothing particularly wrong with Qatar either.

[slavedog]

Both good but, ceteris paribus, I would go with Emirates.

I think Emirates have a better frequent flyer programme.

But really it comes down to price and connections.

[horace]

Can't comment on Emirates but I flew Qatar from Indonesia to NY and the service in peasant class was excellent; free beer all the way, never a questioning look, with the beer came different snacks at meal times I asked for extra servings and got it, in flight entertainment was good plus my bike arrived undamaged.

[slavedog]

Yes, thinking about it I would say Qatar perhaps have the edge in economy class. Very friendly and helpful staff, and lots of free stuff to amuse the kiddies.

[PSD_Kiwi]

Qatar for sure, especially their business class, it's like your own private room, there is a sliding door giving you complete privacy and even a little beer fridge. In saying that, even their economy class is great and the staff are extremely hospitable.

Emirates have gone downhill in past years, and I now avoid flying with them if I can.

I think Emirates have a better frequent flyer programme.

No way...they made changes several years ago to the FF program, takes for ever to get enough points to move up a tier now.

Oh, and Emirates also charge for seat selection on certain fare classes now!! That's a budget airline carrier move

[scobienz]

In a straight choice, Qatar for me. Both airlines are quality but as a One World member, it's more convenient for me to use Qatar. On my last trip to Asia, I was upgraded to business class in both directions.

Two other factors worth considering: Doha airport is more user friendly than Dubai, with none of that terminal swapping on trains. On the downside, the arab world's boycott of Qatar means QIA can no longer fly over UAE and Saudi airspace, which adds around 40 minutes onto the Asian leg of the trip.

[slavedog]

Some good points there.

I'm stuck with Emirates as they are the only one flying into Stansted. I can easily find a mate to pick me up from from Stansted as it's only a 40 minute drive. Heathrow is more like 2 hours away so a bit much to ask.

Emirates now have 3 flights a day to Bangkok. But apart from the one that goes at about 11.30pm the prices are very high. I suppose they are wanting to fill the seats with long haul passengers.

I bought a return for about $160 at Pchum Benh which I think is very reasonable. But of course you end up paying for a hotel room that you can't check in ty to until 2 a.m.

[Miguelito]

Lots of good answers, thanks! Seems Qatar May take the edge.

Think I found a Turkish Airlines ticket though, which is good for Star Alliance and it will be interesting to see Istanbul’s new airport.

For what it’s worth, Qatar transits in HCMC, and Emirates transfers in Bangkok, and then their respective countries. So they are each a two stop flight to Europe, so same as Turkish and others (albeit a slightly longer stop, but at least then you can pop into the lounge).

[Pecahead]

I prefer flying on the A380, and as Emirates flies out of BKK with the A380, and Qatar doesn't out of SGN, I go with Emirates when it comes time to fly to NYC.