Qatar Airlines and Emirates versus SQ

[Non SQ airlines]

Does anyone have experience of flying Qatar Airways or Emirates back to Europe with kids? How do they compare to SQ? From looking at the prices it looks as if they are a lot less than SQ. On the other hand some of the stopover times in Colombo, Dubai or Doha look horrendous. Did you think it was worth the hassle with kids in tow? Thanks a lot.

[frunty]

Used Qatar a few times now for the trip back to London with my family (3 kids aged between 6 and 11).

It's fine. The experience in the air is arguably better than SIA. The transit in Doha is a little tedious but anything under 3 hours is fine.

And beraing in mind that with a family of 5, the price difference between SIA and just about any other carrier runs into the 1000s of dollars, a slightly tedious stopover is worth it.

Not sure I'd do it with really young kids, though.

[not for me]

We flew Emirates this summer to the UK.  It was OK but I found the stopover to be worse than I thought it would be - originally I'd thought that getting the chance to walk around the airport and stretch my legs half way through would be good, but now I think I just want to get the flight over with.  7 hours and then you get off and have another 7 hours to endure.

I've done stopovers in Europe before with KLM and in Asia with Thai and Malaysia and they were better because you only have about an hour's flight to get on before or after your long flight (depending on the direction you're heading).

We didn't stop at Columbo with Emirates (some of them don't stop there so choose those if you can).  My friend said that the Columbo stop can be really tedious because they say it'll be about an hour and sometimes she said they've sat there for 2 or more, and you don't get off the plane either apparently.

[Happy feet]

Flew Emirates in summer to Uk. The flights were good and the crew excellent. It was a lot cheaper than SQ and you also get 30kg baggage allowance. Between 3 of us that meant another 30kg -definitely very useful after a good shopping session in the Uk. As the Pp said, the stopovers are a pain, but we felt the price and baggage allowance made up for it.

Have not used Qatar myself, but my sister and nephew have several time from South Africa to UK. Theyvwere very impressed with it.  Apparently the airport T Doha is very modern and new.

I guess it would depend how old your kids are as to whether it would be worth it.

[Qatar]

If you really look at their timetable, and pick your days right, then the stopovers at Doha are 2 hours up and 45 mins back. They also operate a 2100 departure from here twice a week (otherwise it's 0200 - not good for kids).  Emirates are OK one way but around a 7 hour stopover the other.  I have not done either but am about to do Qatar as the savings compared to SQ are going to give me a heck of a lot more shopping in London!

From what I have been told, they are both excellent airlines - comparable to SQ, if not better from some sources. 

[Cheapskate expats]

I would have image that cheapskate white trash expats who are usually over paid and underworked in hardship postings in the far east would have first class travel. How times have changed?

[ProsCons]

I flew Qatar Airways into Doha about 1 1/2 years ago and the economy class terminal was awful, only one fast-food style restaurant, filthy bathrooms, and a terrible play area for kids.

However the in-flight experience couldn't be more top notch, and is comparable to SQ. 

The airport in Dubai isn't bad, but I've never had less than a 4-5 hour layover there.

I do like how Middle East stopovers split your flying time to Europe exactly in half.  The 7 hours + 7 hours is much more comfortable than a long haul 14 hour flight... airplanes get extremely filthy in the last 3 hours of a long haul flight, they stop cleaning the lavatories and passengers become animals throwing their blankets, food trays, and pillows everywhere.

[mortel]

I flew Qatar Airways into Doha about 1 1/2 years ago and the economy class terminal was awful, only one fast-food style restaurant, filthy bathrooms, and a terrible play area for kids.

This is correct and for now, arguably, the only problem with Qatar airways economy class. Meanwhile, Qatar is building a brand new airport to cater for the increased traffic to Doha. It will be ready in March 2012 and it is built on reclaimed land 5 km from the current airport. If you are travelling before that and your wait is more than one hour I recommend you stay in one of the lounges (pay for access or carry a Diner's club/AMEX Platinum).

[Happy feet]

Our flight back from Uk to Sinapore only had a short stopover (about 2.5 hours).   You do need to check the website when booking, for the various connecting flights, to get the best stopover that works for you. There is a reasonable amount of choice.

[My 2 cents]

Avoid any Emirates flight that touches down in Colombo...the double stop to Europe stretches the patience.

I'd also say Qatar generally edges it over Emirates....a bit more legroom and the service is consistently good.

We've been using Qatar for a couple of years for our flights back to London (since the SIA price difference became ridiculously high). Our 2 kids (now 5 and 7) don't mind the stop in Doha, just so long as the transit time is only 2-3 hours.

The airport is pretty boring, but if you pack a new toy/book to be brought out in Doha, it usually works OK.

And once the new airport opens, things should be great....and I'll NEVER go back to SIA and its extortionate prices!

[Related answer]

I fly alone, not with kids.

Having said that, both Qatar and Emirates are as good or better in-flight than Singapore Airlines.  The lounge in Doha is excellent, first rate.  I sometimes wish my stopover there was longer, I enjoyed the break.  I've only flown Emirates to Dubai, so no experience of stopovers.

[cmdsea]

With 2 flights daily between SIN and Doha and 5 onward flights daily to LHR (and 1 flight to MAN) Qatar have a huge combination of flights and connection times possible. General advice to get a short connection and a cheap fare is book as early as possible.!

Finally do not automatically assume SQ are too expensive. Obviously it depends on your dates, you wont get this fare over Christmas or for stays longer than 14days but currently they have all in fares to London on SQ 308 and 318 for a pretty reasonable S$1328, which are eligible for single travellers. Splash out an extra US$50 for an exit seat and its a pretty civilised way to travel.

[Qatar]

I am flying business.  Qatar $4280 return london; Singapore Airlines $9395.  That is a saving of over $5000!!! how the heck can SQ justify charging those fares.  $5k is going to buy me a lot of shoes in London 

I fly SQ when the company is paying but not going to pay for it myself anymore.

[cmdsea]

I am flying business.  Qatar $4280 return london; Singapore Airlines $9395.  That is a saving of over $5000!!!

Business travellers always put a premium on direct flights rather than stopovers so not really a fair fare comparison, you would need to compare SQ with BA and Qantas who I think are usually in the S$7-8k range.?

Also SQ do not court leisure travellers in J, however they very much do corporate deals. Looking at my PPS accrual rates SQ to Europe costs my client around S$5650 on a corporate rate, so pretty competitive.

Finally, if you are paying for it yourself but still want to fly business then a short regional hop can be well worth the effort. Hint. London from MNL (or CMB) is <S$3k on Qatar.. ;-)

[Sharkboy]

Finally do not automatically assume SQ are too expensive. Obviously it depends on your dates, you wont get this fare over Christmas or for stays longer than 14days but currently they have all in fares to London on SQ 308 and 318 for a pretty reasonable S$1328, which are eligible for single travellers. Splash out an extra US$50 for an exit seat and its a pretty civilised way to travel.

Checked on this as I'm flying to London toward the end of November. SIA is charging $2200 and Qantas is charging $1450.

And you don't even get to accrue Krisflyer miles on that fare (the reason I stayed pretty loyal to SIA for a long time was the chance to collect Krisflyer miles).

Blackout dates for that 'special' fare start 16 Nov! As a result, SIA will lose annother passenger.