On our flight from JFK to Doha the service was excellent. They offered dinner and many refreshments and breakfast etc.
On our way back from Doha to JFK the service was terrible: The interval between breakfast and next meal was 11 hours. I’m not kiddin’. After we had breakfast, about 6 hours later we started getting hungry and hoped to get lunch in next hour or so. But all we got was a small cup of ice cream.
When full meal didn’t arrive in next hour then I finally got up and went to the kitchen/service area and inquired about the meal. the air hostess looked at the watch and said “another 4 hours”. I was shocked. I asked her how we were supposed to survive. She pointed me to the baskets on the side where they had some crakers and light sandwiches with juice glasses. I was furious. I took 3 sandwiches + juice and that helped us survive next few hours but I had never expected they would save on lunch like that.
Even if they intended to serve just the light sandwich THERE WAS NO FRIGGING ANNOUNCEMENT to the effect so that people could get up (or better yet, they should have served those light sandwiches themselves) get some food. It was pretty much “if you get hungry go inquire about meal and find out there ain’t any coming and come back with those light sandwiches” sorta deal.
I was impressed by Qatar airways going to doha but on way back it was probaby worst than PIA.
I’ve been on Qatar Airways for my past 2 trips to Pakistan and haven’t ever had any trouble at all. The best part is that it goes directly overseas from DC instead of flying to NY first and all that crap. I didn’t really pay much attention to when they served the food because I didn’t bother eating it. (blekhh Overall, I’d say Qatar Airways is about the same as Emirates in terms of service.
Anyways, last time I went to Pakistan and I had a 6-hour transit in Doha (aka lamest airport on Earth). That was awful.
There seems to be a great deal of inconsistency on their part.
A few years ago, when my husband was flying with his family from England to Karachi for our wedding, because the flight was delayed in England they missed their connection to Karachi from Doha. They were then stuck in Doha for two days.
Now I guess that wouldn't be a HUGE deal, except that for over 30 hours the staff in Doha refused to help them, refused to give them anything but vouchers to some crappy restaurant in the airport. No hotel, no nothing. They were forced to napping in the airport chairs, and to entertaining themselves in ridiculous ways, as the airport at the time was quite bare. Eventually they gave them vouchers for a hotel. But it was in a rundown area where my SIL and MIL felt uncomfortable walking around because of all the staring men. You'd think that in Doha of all places the ground staff would be familiar and abundant enough to take care of their passengers!
On the way back from the same trip, when my husband was flying with his mother (he stopped back in England before coming to the US), they gave him an AMAZING ROOM at this AMAZING Swedish hotel. Same airline, same place, entirely different demeanor.
Just about 10 days ago my mother returned from Karachi flying Qatar, had a long layover in Doha for a similar reason and had the opportunity to stay in that same AMAZING hotel. I can't remember its name. She still raves about how "shandaar" it is.
that’s quite surprising.
Overall, I’d say Qatar Airways is about the same as Emirates in terms of service.