Summary

• In 2023, Skytrax named Qatar Airways' economy class the world's second-best.
• Baggage allowances in Qatar Airways' economy vary depending on the route and fare purchased.
• APEX (Airline Passenger Experience) named the airline's entertainment system the best in the Middle East, offering up to 6,000 entertainment options, including a dedicated area for children.

Over the decades, the flying experience has dramatically changed. Decades ago, boarding an aircraft was a very elitarian way of traveling. A small niche could afford an air ticket, which entailed a unique onboard experience. Indeed, 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.

Technological advancements in aircraft manufacturing and, thus, cabin layout allowed airlines to diversify customers' targets. Carriers 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. In the 80s, some airlines started to spot an opportunity to target an additional traffic mix and developed the business class concept.

With first class becoming progressively less profitable for many airlines, the passengers' choice now mainly falls between business and economy class. Although everyone would opt for business class if given the chance to, some airlines have invested significantly in developing solid economy class products which, although not providing the same experience as a business class seat, still make the journey more than just enjoyable for passengers. One of these airlines is Qatar Airways, which in 2023 was named Best Airline in the Middle East by Skytrax.

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.

However, when traveling economy class on Qatar Airways, you should know that the Qatari airline 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.

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 still 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

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 selecting a preferred seat and gives access to the best upgrade rates when using Qatar miles (Qmiles).

3 Oryx One: endless entertainment

Enjoy up to 6,000 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

Last September, Qatar Airways was awarded the 2024 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.

4 Stay in touch

Enjoy Qatar Airways' WiFi

One of the biggest inconveniences when flying is the impossibility of staying 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 WiFi for free. WiFi is currently available on the airline's fleet of

• Boeing 777s
• Boeing 787-9s
• Airbus A350-900s
• Airbus A350-1000s

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 Enjoyone 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.

If a regional outlook were adopted, Qatar Airways' economy class ranked first in the Middle East in 2023. 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 presents itself as a preferred airline again, with Skytrax crowing 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!

• 

  Qatar Airways

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  QR/QTR

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Doha Hamad International Airport

  Year Founded:

  1993

  Alliance:

  oneworld

  CEO:

  Badr Mohammed Al Meer

  Country:

  Qatar