United Airlines or Qatar Airways? | ExpatWoman.com
 

United Airlines or Qatar Airways?

42
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 March 2011 - 19:23

Hi Ladies :)

Will be traveling Dubai-USA (washington) for the first time with 17month old DS (he'll be 21 months when we fly). Need some advice/ suggestions/ recommendations on picking the least stressful carrier. We've narrowed it down to either United Airlines which flies directly dubai-washington or qatar airways which goes via doha. Both airlines will cost the same. Can't make up my mind if we should go with United Airlines as it's direct from Dubai or go with Qatar Airways which do have a stop in a Doha but are known for their inflight service --don't want to be stuck on a 14hour flight with crew who don't want to help. DH will also be travelling, and DS does not get his own seat --way over our budget.

Also, is there any difference in the seat structure/ leg room space/ aircraft between United and Qatar Airlines? -- don't want to end up doing the stopover in Doha if it's not much of a difference. We'll be travelling Economy so not really expecting special seating.

Any advice/ recommendations? TIA

668
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 11:01
nutty: LOL @ "your fellow passengers as most come from sub continent and leave the aircraft smelling of curry with all their special meals being ordered." I'm from the subcontinent too, so will feel right at home..... LOL.... [b'>haha good one :)[/b'> marycatherine: would've loved to fly Emirates, but i've been told that we will have to go through immigration twice -- at JFK and then again at Dulles, Washington -- also my dad's done the JFK route and he's told us to stay clear of that one, coz it's quite a hassle. Forgot about that, the last time I went was with DD and when I got to JFK I had to get my baggage and go through the whole process again to get out of New York. It was a pain, was travelling alone and had to sit DD on the suitcase on the trolley. It was a hassle big time :( I will be doing the journey again with DD and DS but with DH this time. <em>edited by LuLee on 23/03/2011</em>
42
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 10:56
Thanks for the input everyone:) vero possums: it's ghastly alright...but there's reward at the end of the journey -- get to be with family who i haven't met in god knows how many years.....we're just happy that we're able to make this trip ;) floridagirl and coconnell: thanks for the tip on economy plus and economy premium on UNited will check the fares nutty: LOL @ "your fellow passengers as most come from sub continent and leave the aircraft smelling of curry with all their special meals being ordered." I'm from the subcontinent too, so will feel right at home..... LOL.... marycatherine: would've loved to fly Emirates, but i've been told that we will have to go through immigration twice -- at JFK and then again at Dulles, Washington -- also my dad's done the JFK route and he's told us to stay clear of that one, coz it's quite a hassle. will keep everyone posted on how it's going....and will surely have many many more questions on travelling with a toddler
876
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 09:56
TBH it all sounds ghastly, a long flight like that with a baby in one seat and in economy? will it really make a difference? Go the quickest route possible.
914
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 09:29
I wouldn't touch any American carrier for an International flight. The service is aweful. Too right! Would prefer to fly with a local airline such as Emirates or Qatar although Emirates JFK flight is a hit or a miss with your fellow passengers as most come from sub continent and leave the aircraft smelling of curry with all their special meals being ordered. Not joking!
3220
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 08:24
I wouldn't touch any American carrier for an International flight. The service is aweful. I agree. I have flown with United,Delta,American Airways,Northwest,Air Canada and they were all horrible. Delta gets first prize though.
4329
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 08:14
use www.seatguru.com to check the lay outs
542
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EW GURU
Latest post on 22 March 2011 - 20:55
I wouldn't touch any American carrier for an International flight. The service is aweful.
1579
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 22 March 2011 - 20:54
I have only flown with United once but have used Qatar a number of times without incident. Safe travels :)
1759
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 22 March 2011 - 20:52
If you're flying economy - neither, go Emirates via JFK. Qatar Airways is crummy. I live in Qatar and refuse to fly with this poor excuse for an airline, ground staff and air crew are poor and their various allowances checked bags and carry on do not compare with the service and allowances on Emirates. When I fly anywhere from Qatar, I do so with Emirates even though it also means a stopover in Dubai. Qatar Airways does not respond to complaints or feedback = period. Emirates, while I may have some issues with them, at least tries to understand my perspective and respond to it - do I always get what I want NO, but I get treated like a person, not a dollar sign.
74
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 March 2011 - 20:02
Qatar airways, hands down. I have flown both United and Qatar with my infant daughter and the Qatar flight attendants are always lovely--definitely worth the layover in Doha. The state of US air travel is pretty sad (and it pains me to write this as I would love to fly US carriers, but the staff is so hit and miss; outbound flight I had lovely attendants who were so motherly to me. Inbound were miserable!). So, I fly Qatar. The only hesitation I might consider is that United does have premium economy which is much more comfortable than regular economy in United and Qatar. If legroom is a major issue and DH is traveling with you (so you won't need to rely on staff) then United does have the slightest leg up, but only in this area.
129
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 March 2011 - 19:56
Not all United flight attendants are bitter hags. :) I really enjoy Qatar, but I would choose United because it's nonstop. On United you also get the option of Economy Plus which is extra legroom for an extra fee (or free if you have enough miles and it doesn't take long to get those flying between DXB-IAD). I used to really not like flying United but haven't found fault with them in the last few months.
298
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 March 2011 - 19:47
Qatar without a shadow of a doubt!
 
 

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