The Airline card
Full name: Qatar Airways.
IATA code: QR.
Establishment date: 1993.
Alliance membership: the Oneworld.
Headquarters (main hub): Qatar, Doha.
The Hamad International Airport.
Bonus programme name: the Privilege Club.
Official website: Qatar Airways.
Aircraft fleet: 207 aircraft. Aircraft average age ~5 years.
Safety: 7 out of 7 according to the Airline Ratings.
About the airline
The Qatar Airways was founded in 1993 as the Qatar’s national airline. It is ranked six times as the world’s best airline by the Skytrax and has the highest five-star rating by the same agency.
The Qatar Airways currently operates international flights to more than 160 destinations around the world. The airline provides even more routes through codeshare partners:
- AirBotswana
- Comair
- Royal Air Maroc
- LATAM
- JetBlue
- American Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- Asiana Airlines
- Bangkok Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Japan Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- SriLankan Airlines
- IndiGo
- China Southern Airlines
- Azerbaijan Airlines
- British Airways
- Finnair
- Iberia
- SNCF
- SunAir
- Vueling
- Middle East Airlines
- Royal Jordanian
- Oman Air
Safety
The Qatar Airways operates narrow- and wide-body aircraft manufactured by Airbus and Boeing. The airline’s base aircraft are Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 787.
Cancelling or changing your booking
If the ticket is non-refundable, neither the fare nor additional fees, e.g. change fees part, will be refunded. Free refund is available only for Comfort and Elite fares.
Fees for reservation and refunds changes depend on the route, date and fare. Starting from €100. For more information, please visit the Qatar Airways website.
The support agents on the telephone line speak English, French, German and Arabic. The English line is open 24/7, the others are scheduled. There is an online chat room on the airline website, you must first log in to your account.
Country-specific telephone line schedules:
- Algeria ⏤ Mon-Sun, 09:00 a.m.- 05:00 p.m.
- Angola ⏤ 24/7
- Argentina ⏤ Mon-Fri, 10:00 a.m.- 06:30 p.m.
- Armenia ⏤ 24/7
- Australia ⏤ 24/7
- Austria ⏤ Mon-Fri, 08:00 a.m.- 05:00 p.m.
- Azerbaijan ⏤ Opens during registration (3 hours before dispatch)
- Bangladesh ⏤ 24/7
- Belgium ⏤ 24/7
- Bosnia ⏤ 24/7
- Brazil ⏤ Mon-Fri, 09:00 a.m.- 05:00 p.m., Sat 8:00 a.m.- 02:00 p.m.
- Bulgaria ⏤ 24/7
- Cambodia ⏤ 24/7
- Canada ⏤ Mon-Fri, 09:00 a.m.- 06:00 p.m.
- China ⏤ Mon-Fri, 09:00 a.m.- 07:00 p.m., Sat 09:00 a.m.- 06:00 p.m.
- Côte d’Ivoire ⏤ 24/7
- Croatia ⏤ 24/7
- Cyprus ⏤ Mon-Sat, 09:00 a.m. – 06:00 p.m.
- Czech Republic ⏤ 24/7
- Denmark ⏤ Mon-Sat, 08:00 a.m. – 18:00 p.m., Sun 09:00 a.m. – 05:00 p.m.
- Djibouti ⏤ 24/7
- Egypt ⏤ 24/7
- Ethiopia ⏤ Mon-Fri, 08:00 a.m.- 05:30 p.m., Sat 08:00 a.m.- 01:00 p.m.
- Finland ⏤ 24/7
- France ⏤ Mon-Sat, 09:00 a.m.- 05:00 p.m.
- Gabon ⏤ 24/7
- Georgia ⏤ 24/7
- Germany ⏤ Mon-Fri, 09:00 a.m.- 05:00 p.m.
- Greece ⏤ 24/7
- Hong Kong ⏤ Mon-Fri, 09:00 a.m.- 07:00 p.m. , Sat 09:00 a.m.- 06:00 p.m.
- Hungary ⏤ Mon-Sat, 08:00 a.m.- 05:00 p.m.
- India ⏤ 24/7
- Indonesia ⏤ 24/7
- Iran ⏤ 24/7
- Iraq ⏤ 24/7
- Ireland ⏤ 24/7
- Italy ⏤ Mon-Sat, 08:00 a.m.- 06:00 p.m., Sun 09:00 a.m.- 05:00 p.m.
- Japan ⏤ 24/7
- Jordan ⏤ 24/7
- Kazakhstan ⏤ 24/7
- Kenya ⏤ 24/7
- Kuwait ⏤ 24/7
- Lebanon ⏤ 24/7
- Malaysia ⏤ 24/7
- Malta ⏤ Mon-Sat, 09:00 a.m.- 06:00 p.m., Sun 10:00 a.m.- 06:00 p.m.
- Morocco ⏤ 24/7
- Mozambique ⏤ 24/7
- Myanmar ⏤ 24/7
- Namibia ⏤ 24/7
- Nepal ⏤ 24/7
- Netherlands ⏤ 24/7
- New Zealand ⏤ 24/7
- Nigeria ⏤ 24/7
- Norway ⏤ 24/7
- Oman ⏤ 24/7
- Pakistan ⏤ 24/7
- Philippines ⏤ 24/7
- Poland ⏤ 24/7
- Portugal ⏤ 24/7
- Qatar ⏤ 24/7
- Romania ⏤ Mon-Sat, 09:00 a.m.- 06:00 p.m.
- Russia ⏤ Mon-Fri, 08:00 a.m.- 06:00 p.m.
- Rwanda ⏤ Mon-Fri, 08:30 a.m.- 05:00 p.m., Sat 10:00 a.m.- 02:00 p.m.
- Saudi Arabia ⏤ 24/7
- Serbia ⏤ 24/7
- Seychelles ⏤ 24/7
- Singapore ⏤ 24/7
- South Africa ⏤ 24/7
- South Korea ⏤ Mon-Fri, 09:00 a.m.- 05:00 p.m.
- Spain ⏤ Mon-Fri, 09:00 a.m.- 06:00 p.m.
- Sweden ⏤ Mon-Fri, 08:00 a.m.- 06:00 p.m., Sun 09:00 a.m.- 05:00 p.m.
- Switzerland ⏤ Mon-Fri, 08:00 a.m.- 06:00 p.m.
- Tanzania ⏤ Mon-Fri, 08:30 a.m.- 05:00 p.m., Sat 08:30 a.m.- 01:00 p.m.
- Thailand ⏤ 24/7
- Tunisia ⏤ 24/7
- Turkey ⏤ 24/7
- Uganda ⏤ 24/7
- Ukraine ⏤ 24/7
- United Arab Emirates ⏤ 24/7
- United Kingdom ⏤ Mon-Sat, 09:00 a.m.- 06:00 p.m., Sun 09:00 a.m.- 03:00 p.m.
- United States ⏤ 24/7
- Viet Nam ⏤ 24/7
- Zambia ⏤ 24/7
Check-in for the flight
Online check-in is available via the link on the Qatar Airways website. Starts 48 hours before departure and ends an hour and a half. Last name and booking code/e-ticket number are required.
If you checked in online and are flying with luggage, you still need to check it in. You can do this yourself by using the express baggage drop desk at the airport.
Online check-in is available for flights operated by the Qatar Airways as well as for travel itineraries where the first segment is operated by the Qatar Airways. Online check-in is available for all airports, but the Mobile Boarding Pass cannot be used everywhere.
The airports list where mobile boarding passes are accepted:
Africa: Durban
Europe: Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Belgrade, Berlin, Birmingham, Brussels, Bucharest, Budapest, Larnaca, Copenhagen, Kiev, Larnaca, Vienna, Warsaw, Gatwick, Dublin, Yerevan, Geneva, Zagreb, London, Madrid, Malaga, Manchester, Milan, Munich, Mykonos, Nice, Oslo, Paris, Pisa, Prague, Rome, Skopje, Sofia, Stockholm, Thessaloniki, Tbilisi, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Zurich, Edinburgh.
The Asia and the Asia-Pacific region: Adelaide, Canberra, Chiang Mai, Melbourne, Auckland, Perth, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo
Please note, you can use your mobile boarding pass to board at Doha, but you will need a printed boarding pass to go through passport control.
Fares and classes
There are 3 types of fares offered by Qatar Airways:
Economy class
Economy class is the most economical class and therefore has certain restrictions (no seat selection, smaller hand baggage than in other classes, etc.).
Business Class
Business Class. Lounge area, entertainment system, expanded meal selection, travel kit (lip balm, facial mist, moisturiser and cotton pyjamas). The Qatar Airways business class was voted best in the world by Skytrax in 2019.
Seat dimensions in the Airbus A380:
- Seat cushion – 18.5 inches
- Backrest when unfolded – 60.5 inches
Seat dimensions in Boeing 777:
- Seat cushion – 19.5 inches
- Backrest when unfolded – 60 inches
First class
- First Class have private cabins with full beds on board. First Class passengers also enjoy privileges throughout their journey, from fast track formalities to a private taxi to/from the airport.
Seat dimensions in the Airbus A380:
- Seat cushion – 21.6 inches
- Backrest when unfolded – 60.4 inches
Seat dimensions in Boeing 777:
- Seat cushion – 22.5 inches
- Backrest when unfolded – 61.5 inches
Services and extras
In addition to basic services such as meals, extra baggage and more, Qatar Airways also offers an option to purchase extra services on its flights:
- Expedited formalities at the Hammad airport;
- Access to the lounge area;
- Hotel reservations at the Hammad Airport;
- Car rental on arrival at the airport;
Free baggage allowance
For most routes a weight limit applies, a baggage allowance applies only for flights with departure and destination points in North and South America and in Africa.
For example, on a flight from Moscow to Doha in Economy Class with a Lite fare, the luggage weight limit is 20 kg.
In addition, on the Doha-North America flight in Economy Class with the Lite fare, the limit will be luggage up to 23kg 1 piece.
Economy Class
7 kg of hand luggage. Dimensions may not exceed 50x37x25cm.
Checked-in baggage is up to 20, 25, 30 and 35 kg for Lite, Classic, Convenience and Comfort fares respectively.
Business class
Hand baggage two pieces with 15 kg a total weight limit. The hand baggage dimensions may not exceed 50x37x25cm.
Checked-in luggage is up to 40kg.
First class
Hand baggage two pieces with 15 kg a total weight limit. The hand baggage dimensions may not exceed 50x37x25cm.
Checked-in luggage is up to 50kg.
Food on board
Snacks and refreshments are available on board. In addition, hot and cold meals will be served during the flight, the selection varies according to the passenger’s class.
There are also special menus (religious, allergy, dietary, etc.). You must make your reservation at least 24 hours before departure in order to submit it.
All meals provided by the Qatar Airways are halal.
More information can be found on the website of Qatar Airways.
Travelling while pregnant
The Qatar Airways accepts pregnant women on board without restriction up to pregnancy the 29th week, unless there are complications or contraindications. If you will be travelling at or after your 29th week, you should bring a certificate signed by your doctor or obstetrician.
The letter must state:
- whether the pregnancy is a singleton or multiple pregnancy;
- whether there are no complications during the pregnancy;
- the delivery expected date;
- the date until which the doctor considers it acceptable to travel;
- that the mother-to-be is healthy ;
- that there is no reason why you cannot travel by air.
For safety reasons, women who are 36 weeks or more pregnant are not permitted to travel on the Qatar Airways flights.
Travelling with children
Children under the 7 days age may only travel if it is medically necessary and if the mother has to travel for family reasons. A MEDIF certificate is required.
Children under 2 years age may travel at the infant fare if they are sitting on their parents’ lap, or at the infant fare if they are in a separate car/child seat.
Children from age 2 to 5 years must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 16 years age at the travel time. A child fare is applicable.
Children aged 5 to 12 years old travel at child fare, from 5 to 12 years old unaccompanied passengers must fly at adult fare. For children over 12 years old an adult fare applies.
Travelling with pets
Animals are not allowed in the Qatar Airways aircraft cabins. The exceptions are economy class falcons and guide dogs (carried charge free).
All other animals will be carried as check-in baggage. A well ventilated, secure carrier corresponding to the pet size and weight is required. Karting company will transport animals exceeding the maximum size and weight of 300 cm and 75 kg.
The fee charged for transport is determined by the kennel size and the pet weight.
For more information, visit the Qatar Airways website.
Bonus programme
The Privilege Club loyalty programme allows you to earn miles from every trip on Qatar Airways and its partners. Miles can be earned and redeemed. They are valid for three years.
In the programme first level, Burgundy, the client has access to priority waiting list services and access to the Flexi Awards programme.
Free increased baggage allowance (15 kg / one additional piece) available from level Silver. Gold and Platinum levels also have this privilege.
Passengers’ reviews
Rating 4.0 on TripAdvisor
The Company most reviews are positive. Customers praise the service, the comfortable seats and the food on board.
However, in the 2022 last quarter, negative passenger feedback became more frequent due to dirty seats in business and first class cabins, flight delays and passengers poor staff treatment.
