Summary

• Emirates and Qatar Airways are both renowned for their luxurious offerings and comfortable cabins, with economy class being ahead of many Western airlines.
• Qatar has a wider range of destinations served and a more diverse fleet, while Emirates offers a consistent product experience with its simplified fleet.
• Service quality may vary, but both airlines generally provide good service in economy. Qatar focuses more on personalizing service, while Emirates offers a wider variety of in-flight entertainment options.

The two Middle Eastern giants, Emirates and Qatar Airways, are some of the best airlines in the world for their luxurious and wholesome offerings onboard their flights. The airlines have built their reputations due to the use of newer aircraft, comfortable cabins, and world-class service. While both the airlines stand out in their business and first class offerings, the economy class offerings are also way ahead of some well-known airlines in the West.

Emirates and Qatar Airways operate on a hub-to-spoke model thanks to their ideal geographical location. The airlines funnel hundreds of thousands of transit passengers annually, most of whom are flying in economy. This article compares the offerings of both airlines and allows our readers to decide which is best for them.

Network and fleet

With COVID now a thing of the past regarding networks, Emirates, and Qatar Airways are almost reaching pre-pandemic frequencies on all their routes. The Dubai-based airline flies to 130 destinations across 70 countries, while the Doha-based carrier flies to over 160 destinations in 90 airports. In recent years, Qatar has pulled ahead in terms of cities served, primarily thanks to a focus on Africa and the Middle East.

When it comes to fleet, Emirates sticks to its simplified format of two types only: the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777. This allows for a consistent product experience across all cabins, especially economy, regardless of the route served. Meanwhile, Qatar has a far more diversified fleet, consisting of the Boeing 787 and 777, Airbus A380, A350, A320, and A330.

The 737 MAX will be joining operations soon, meaning there is plenty of choice regarding which plane serves which route.

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Qatar has the edge when it comes to checked-in bags

Unless you hold elite status with either airline, an economy class ticket will not get you lounge access at your departure airport. However, Emirates Skywards Blue members in Dubai can pay to access specific Emirates lounges. Similarly, you can buy access to Qatar Airways' lounge in Doha if traveling economy class on the airline.

Checked-in luggage rules vary by destination and your frequent flyer status, but generally, on Qatar Airways, you can check in one 66 lbs (30 kg) bag with a maximum dimension of 118 inches (300 cm).

Emirates is slightly more complex, depending on the fare bucket you are in. Economy class free checked-in bag allowances range from 20 kg if traveling on an economy special fare to 35 kg if traveling on an economy flex plus fare. For simplicity purposes, we like Qatar Airways here. Their 30 kg allowance is also reasonably generous.

Who has the best seating?

Next, let’s look at comfort, a major concern in economy seating. Configurations will vary slightly across different aircraft types, and although a seat on an Emirates 777 may be no smaller than a seat on an A380, the cabin is smaller, and that can make you feel more confined. Aircraft size does matter when flying economy class, even if only from a spatial perspective.

As a rule, a standard Emirates economy class seat has a pitch of 32 inches and a width of 17.91 inches. A standard Qatar Airways economy class seat also has a pitch of 32 inches. Qatar Airways seats have a slightly wider width of 18.17 inches, though the difference is almost unnoticeable.

When it comes to economy seat size, Qatar and Emirates are just about equal, with Qatar at the tiniest of advantages when it comes to seat width. Though there are frequent flyers who swear by Emirates’ legroom or Qatar’s headrest, these details vary based on where you’re seated in the aircraft and the plane’s particular age, so it’s hard to say which one comes out on top here.

However, it is important to note that Qatar's fleet means that you could find yourself on the 787 or A320 when on short- or medium-haul routes. This will affect the experience heavily, and the airline has a history of equipment swaps, meaning you might well find yourself stuck in a smaller aircraft than booked. While the two are almost level on long-haul routes, for simplicity, we would prefer Emirates.

Both airlines have terrific in-flight service

It’s difficult to get a handle on exactly whose service is “better” between Qatar and Emirates economy, as it’s likely to vary based on individual experiences as well as the particular crew on hand on a given day.

But what constitutes good service is very subjective. Also, a lot depends on the crew you draw. We've all been on mediocre airlines that left a great impression because of an outstanding cabin crew. Equally, we've all been on a great airline and left deeply underwhelmed by a lackluster cabin crew.

Generally, service on both Qatar Airways and Emirates is consistently good. Our personal impression is that service in Emirates' economy can sometimes come across as a little hurried and less personal and that Qatar does a better job of personalizing service. But that is a subjective view and varies by flight. Feel free to post a comment at the end if you disagree.

The best economy class food and drink?

Emirates and Qatar are both well-known for their high-quality, fresh meals. Both airlines feature a complimentary beverage selection of juices, sodas, tea, coffee, beer, and wine, including at least two red and two white wine options in economy class on Qatar Airways. On Emirates flights, cocktails are also included, and champagne and cake are available for a fee.

Qatar's long-haul flights include two meals, including one just before landing. Qatar is notable for its focus on catering to every possible diet, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, raw, low-sugar, low-calorie, and religious restrictions of various stripes.

The airline also offers meals for young travelers (both kids and babies) that may include pre-packaged snacks for the junior jet setters onboard and pancakes, chicken, pasta, and other simple dishes for older kids. Pancakes - I wonder if the grownups can order them?

Emirates’ food menu is inspired by regional flavors and spices, with meals served on each flight that reflect the local culture. A flight to Australia or New Zealand, for example, might feature minted lamb sausages with mashed potatoes and vegetables. In contrast, chicken with caramelized plums or lamb Brochette with Arabic spices might be the main course on a Middle East flight.

Emirates also serves specially made kids’ and baby meals on colorful trays and snack boxes made especially for younger flyers. The carrier also has a long list of meals for those with dietary restrictions, matching Qatar's offerings. This, once again, comes down to subjectiveness. We have personally loved the meals on Emirates in recent years, but others swear by Qatar's offerings instead. Which one do you prefer?

Emirates has the edge when it comes to IFE

Emirates’ entertainment system, ice, has won countless awards for its best-in-the-business features - and for good reason, too. With 3,500 channels of movies, TV, music, and games, in addition to podcasts, radio shows, kids’ channels, and live sports and news, Emirates’ entertainment is truly top-notch. The Dubai-based airline also has easy-to-reach power outlets in most economy seats.

Qatar’s entertainment system, Oryx, is also nothing to scoff at and also includes Hollywood releases, music, games, and TV, along with kids’ options. There just isn’t quite as much variety in Qatar Airways' list of choices in Emirates’ wide range.

On Emirates, WiFi is available in economy class from $9.99 - $19.99, depending on the length of the flight, and $2.99 to $5.99 for the whole flight in chat-only. From experience, Emirates' WiFi is quite reliable for getting work done and well worth the $10.

Emirates Skywards Gold members have access to free chat services (such as WhatsApp or Messenger) when traveling in economy class. If you are an Emirates Skywards Platinum passenger, you'll have access to unlimited free internet in economy class. To access this, you must add your Emirates Skywards membership number to your booking at least 24 hours before your flight.

Free WiFi in economy on selected Qatar flights

Meanwhile, on Qatar economy flights, Oryx One Communications allows you to stay in touch via a mobile device. Most, though not all, Qatar flights also have onboard WiFi for a fee. If you book directly with the carrier, Qatar offers unlimited WiFi for just $8 if bought before the flight and $10 onboard, a great deal. Loyalty program Privilege Club members also get one hour of free WiFI usage.

Qatar Airways' free WiFi offer is attractive. However, its problem is it is very restricted and only on select routes currently, but the number is increasing. Ultimately, Emirates wins out in terms of entertainment. The airline’s consistent dedication to high-quality inflight entertainment options hasn’t been topped so far.

Should I fly with Emirates Economy or Qatar Economy?

It's a hard question to answer, and the answer is based heavily on experience. As frequent Emirates travelers, we might be biased toward the Dubai-based airlines, but there are many who say Qatar feels more modern and advanced. On paper, they are equally matched, with Emirates coming out ahead in fleet and entertainment and Qatar in destinations served and services.

We leave our final verdict to you! Emirates or Qatar Airways in the economy? Let us know in the comments section.

• 

  Emirates

  Loyalty Program:

  Emirates Skywards

• 

  Qatar Airways

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  QR/QTR

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Doha Hamad International Airport

  Year Founded:

  1993

  Alliance:

  oneworld

  CEO:

  Badr Mohammed Al Meer

  Country:

  Qatar