Qatar airlines offers the best value for the economy class traveller from Sydney to Europe, crowned best airline in the world in 2019 according to Skytrax.
In this post:
Boarding and Check in
Starting at the airport, I expected to be in the longest queue as I thought I had got a cheap deal. However, after waiting in the line to check in K I discovered this was actually for China Southern. Qatar on the other hand was pretty quiet!
First stop on the flight trip was to the Amex lounge (see Miltons story). This is the lounge for those that have neither status, a business class trip or a paid Qantas Club membership so it was busy.
As I’d already had dinner and eaten everything through the menu on a previous visit I stuck to the coffee bar. Sadly there were no desert options and they were out of caramel fudge, but at least I charge my phone and have a cup of tea. Though the milkshakes did look awesome (and not offered at the Qantas Club!).
Sydney to Doha Qatar Economy
The flight started off well. After checking in while standing in the queue for check in, I secured the last aisle seat – 56G.
Unbelievably there was a spare seat next to me, so the challenge to secure that as prime sleeping space was on between my and my neighbour. She got in early by placing her belongings under the seat, and then I went for the leg stretch across the seats. Poorly played by me as I fell asleep with my meal in front of me and woke up 9 hours later, with my neighbour sleeping fully across the two seats!
Qatar once again offers a very strong breakfast menu – having had pancakes on a previous flight, I opted for the french toast with blueberries and cream anglais. Their sweet options are significantly better than the savoury and would definitely recommend! Coupled with some yoghurt, fruit and a croissant – this was better than the usual economy class fare.
Doha Hamad International Airport
Once in Doha airport, I had three hours to spend with no lounge access. Unlike other stopover destinations such as Singapore’s Changi, there’s no real entertainment for adults in Doha airport.
However, I did walk to every single gate to get my step count up – after 7200 steps ~5km, I had traversed the whole airport – it’s certainly a way to kill an hour and stretch the legs.
Whilst there are plenty of coffee options they are all outside my budget. The cheapest coffee I found was 20 Qatari Rial (8AUD) and tea for 13 Qatari Rial (5 AUD). With burger options around 70-80 Qatari Rial (28-32 AUD).
Doha to Zurich Qatar Economy – My Seating Strategy
On the second leg, I was in the aisle seat of the middle area up the front 23D, following the announcement of all passengers boarded I looked across and saw three seats free (23A-C). This was unbeilable as the rest of the flight was reasonably full.
Following a tense take off period, I secured the three seats just as the seat belt sign was turned off. I then settled in for a further 4 hours sleep, on my flat bed on this 6.5 hour flight.
Overall I arrived at Zurich airport incredibly well rested!
Great story, Annie! There’s nothing like scoring the three seats across and being able to make your own DIY flatbed.