Qatar

[HIGHFLYER999]

Hi folks,

I am planning a trip to Dubai and have been offered flights with an airline called Qatar. Have never heard of them before and was actually hoping to fly Emirates.
Can anyone tell me if Qatar is a good, safe, reliable airline? or should i be looking for an alternative to get me to Dubai???
Also i believe there is a stop at Doha enroute. Does anyone know what the airport at Doha is like?

Thanks in advance

[newswatcher]

Highflyer999,

You have only to go to Middle East forum and do search on this. There has been much speculation about the safety or otherwise of Qatar Airways over the years. You will need to make your own opinion on this!

Did this trip myself about 2 years ago, and had no problems at all. The changeover in Doha went smoothly, even got back on same aircraft going out, but different seat!

Not sure when you are travelling, but sometimes Qatar not the cheapest fare, especially if you don't have to travel at peak times. For instance, if you go out 13/14 March, for a week, both Air France and Luthansa have fares around 275GBP from London, whereas Qatar want 332GBP(all include taxes)

March is a busy time for Dubai, you may not find too many good fares at peak periods. Do your searches carefully before committing. At least try:

http://www.expedia.co.uk
http://www.travelocity.co.uk/
http://www.travelselect.com/cgi-bin/starter.cgi

Good luck!

[Desk Driver]

Just a few other interesting facts for you.

QR use the A330 on the london routes. All their acft are wholely owned and retired / leased out after about 4-5 years, therefore along with EK they have the youngest fleet in Mid East.

Personally I would go to Doha instead of Dubai. Doha is up to 60% cheaper in general terms and has what I think is THE cheapest duty free shop in the world.

They also fly to Sharjah as well as DXB and that can come in a lot cheaper (enough to make the drive from there to DUBAI very worth it.)

As for safety, I assume all is well, it looks like a well run airline but I only see it from a commercial angle.

Enjoy

[newswatcher]

DD,

This SHJ option came up before. At the time I could find no difference in the cost of a QR flight. I have just checked again against the parameters used previously, and the cost comes out at 337GBP. Please let me know if you can find it cheaper, since I intend to do this route again during the next 12 months. When the new Meridien opens on the East Coast, it will be a better way of getting there, since most airlines seem to shun FJR!

[Mister Geezer]

Nothing wrong with Qatar... they will be a bit cheaper than EK or GF. The A330s that are used on the LHR-DOH route are less than a year old. Connections at Doha are very simple too.