Does Qatar Airways have Premium Economy seats? No, but they do have one of the best and newest Economy seats in the air and also one of the best Business Class products in the air in its Business Class QSuite.
The new Economy seat offers the “next generation of Economy Class” with:
- Semi-fixed back shell design with a 19 degree recline system
- Pre-reclined position of six degrees for takeoff and landing
- Enhanced legroom
- Adjustable, lightweight headrest
- Dual multi-function tables for maximum adaptability and table space
- 13.3 inch 4K widescreens
- Enhanced connectivity and faster Wi-Fi
- USB Type C with high power fast charging capabilities
Their new Economy ‘Quisine’ food is also better than your average Economy food, with more choice, retail-style products and tableware, and more generous portions. Appetizers are to grow 20%, main courses 25% and deserts 50%. Unfortunately, the food, although pleasant, is not great. This is Economy airline food after all, so manage your expectations.
Qatar Airways is so proud of its Economy seats which, it feels, offers comfort and service levels above the competition, that it believes it does not need to launch a Premium Economy cabin on its aircraft.
“I assure you that passengers will feel more comfortable sitting in the Qatar Airways economy cabin than in a premium economy cabin with another airline,” said Akbar Al Baker. The new economy class seat, with its redesigned recline system and additional legroom, will ensure “passengers in Economy Class arrive at their destinations feeling rested and refreshed”.
In reality, although this Economy product is slightly better than the competition, it isn’t groundbreaking and for those of us who don’t want to stretch to Business Class for a leisure flight, but find Premium Economy is just about good enough to tolerate on a long flight, we do not want to fly Economy. Not even Qatar’s “excellent” Economy!
So if you have the choice between the Middle Eastern carriers, go for Emirates who have a full-on, all singing all dancing Premium Economy. Etihad only offers extra legroom seats so their offering isn’t much better than Qatar Airways.
Emirates is a great Premium Economy with separate Premium Economy check-in and priority boarding over Economy, so there is a nice advantage at check-in and before you board. You also get 2 hold suitcases when traveling in Premium Economy which is a big bonus.
Expect around 38 inches of seat pitch and up to 6 inches more legroom than their Economy seats. Expect a larger inflight video screen and, hopefully, noise-canceling headphones.
Emirates Premium Economy is worth the extra cost. It is worth paying for the upgrade if you can afford it. We particularly love the intimate cabin size which, on the Emirates Airbus A380, is located at the front of the lower deck with around 56 seats. Even better, on Emirates A380s which don’t have First Class, Premium Economy will be added onto the upper deck with around 56 seats.
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