Qatar Airways operates one daily flight to Los Angeles, utilizing a refurbished Boeing 777-200LR (77L) aircraft. These long-range Boeing 777s are equipped with the new Q Suites business class seats but premium cabin award availability is pretty hard to find on this route. If you can find it, I would recommend business class on this route as Qatar Airways offers one of the best business class experiences in the world. But if you can’t find any, that’s okay too as Qatar Airways also offers one of the best economy-class experiences in the world as well.
The check-in counters for all Qatar Airways flights headed for the US are situated at counter area number seven at Hamad International Airport. I received my boarding card in a matter of minutes after checking in quickly and easily for an early morning travel.
Qatar Airways Economy Review
Doha is the capital city of Qatar. All Qatar Airways long-haul flights link at its Hamad International Airport. The airline operates flights to over 150 locations worldwide. Qatar offers nonstop flights from several North American destinations, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and Montreal, to Doha.
You selected a Qatar flight from Los Angeles to Doha and then from Doha to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, for our trip. We decided to spend the night in Doha to recover from the nearly 16-hour journey from Los Angeles before beginning the last 5-hour leg to Sri Lanka.
We also made contact in Doha on the way back from Sri Lanka before heading back to Los Angeles. It was our first time flying with Qatar, and we were excited to see if it lived up to all the great Qatar Airways reviews we’ve read.
Qatar Airways Economy Seats
Let’s start by reviewing the legroom in Qatar Airlines Economy Class.
Airbus A350 seats and legroom
Seats in Economy Class on the Airbus A350-1000 are configured 3-3-3 on Qatar’s L.A. route to Doha. They’re about 17½ inches wide, with 32 inches of legroom.
Qatar Airways seating arrangement
We drove a Boeing 777-300ER from Los Angeles to Doha, Qatar, for our first journey. Before recently, Qatar Airways 777 aircraft were outfitted with just nine economy seats, three on each side of the aisles and three in the center. Passengers had 33 inches of leg space and 18.2 inches of width in each seat.
Unluckily, there have been changes to several routes. Our Economy Class seats on the aircraft from Los Angeles to Doha were arranged 3-4-3. With 32 inches of leg space, they measured 17 inches in width.
However, our trip from Los Angeles on Qatar Airways was only around 3/4 full. We were lucky to get three seats on one side of the aircraft, with an empty middle seat between us. That helped make the nearly 16-hour journey to Doha as comfortable as flying economy these days can be. Qatar uses the A340-600 from Doha to Colombo, a journey that takes little less than five hours.
The arrangement of the chairs is 2-4-2. Compared to the seats on the Boeing 777-300ER jets between Los Angeles and Doha, they were smaller and had less legroom. It wasn’t as comfy either because the flight from Doha to Colombo was completely booked. Our Qatar Airways Economy Class review probably would be much more favorable if we’d flown back to L.A. on the Airbus A350-1000 that’s currently in use.
Qatar Airways seat Selection
We were allowed to choose our seats online without having to pay a price after purchasing our Qatar Economy tickets, as opposed to having to wait until 24 hours before the aircraft departure, as is typical for North American carriers.
Qatar Airways Amenity Kit and Comforts
We observed that each seat had an extra-thick gray fleece blanket and cushion when we got to our seats. Cabin attendants provided cool towel wipes as soon as our flights set off, which was a lovely touch. Soon after, on our long flights, every traveler received a small flight
amenity kit consisting of a charming plastic bag that could be opened and included a bright depiction of London.
It contained grey disposable socks, a teeny tube of lip balm, a toothbrush, and toothpaste, yellow earplugs, and an eye mask for sleeping.
Qatar Airways Meals
Menus were distributed by flight attendants on every aircraft we traveled on. On the extra-long flights, there were three meals provided. We also thought the food in Qatar Airlines Economy Class was excellent.
The following was available during the lengthy trip from Los Angeles to Doha:
Lunch
We left L.A. at 3:05 pm, so “lunch” was the first and main meal.
There was a choice of:
- Creamy polenta and broccoli paired with chicken pomodore.
- Meatballs in a tomato-herb sauce served over rice are called dawood basha in Middle Eastern cuisine.
- The vegetarian alternatives are Paneer Tava Masala with potato and pea rice and Dal Tadka, which is Indian cheese with spicy lentils.
They probably suggest the meal based on your nationality to ensure they always have the cuisine that diverse cultures find appetizing. Additionally, there was a slice of cheese, bread with butter, a rice and bean salad, a chocolate dessert, and a Toblerone chocolate.
Refreshment
A fruit salad and tuna sandwich were served halfway through the journey. We also ordered the mocha-flavored Haagen Dazs ice cream from the menu.
We were informed that it had tragically melted.
However, a friendly employee located a partially frozen cup, which we savored despite the jealous looks of a passenger on the other side of the aisle.
Brunch
Two hours before arrival in Doha, “brunch” was served.
It consisted of fresh fruit and yogurt and a choice of the following:
- Fried rice with pulled BBQ chicken and veggies.
- Prepared mushrooms, baked beans, and potato hash with scrambled eggs.
- Corn cutlets, called tikki, served with tomato chutney
Qatar Airways alcohol
Added to the free red and white wine that is standard on foreign flights, the dinner service featured the following alcoholic drinks:
- Beefeater Gin
- Johnnie Walker Red Label Whiskey
- Smirnoff Red Vodka
- Camus VSOP Elegance Cognac
- Bailey’s Irish Cream Liqueur
All of our flights from Qatar including the early morning one from Doha to Colombo, had free wine as well. our long journey to Doha, the white wine was sadly supplied at room temperature without refrigeration, so we soon switched to red wine.
Naturally, complimentary soft drinks, coffee, and tea are all included in the Qatar Airways drink menu.
Qatar Airways inflight Service
The cabin crew in Economy Class worked hard.
In addition to providing food, they often had plastic cups filled with orange juice and water as they traveled the aircraft.
In addition, they replaced the toilet paper and tissue in the restrooms, kept them tidy, and stocked something that the cabin staff in North America did not do.
Qatar Airways entertainment
The Oryx One the in-flight entertainment system operated by Qatar Airways, is said to provide up to 4,000 entertainment options, including music, games, TV series, and, of course, movies, according to the airline’s website.
They had no trouble finding a wide selection of recently released films, more than enough to keep us sweetly occupied. The enormous, bright, high-resolution displays on the long-haul flights were nearly as big as the seatback.
Qatar carry-on baggage allowance
One must take notice of the airline’s carry-on luggage limitations since our evaluation of Qatar Airways wouldn’t be complete without mentioning them.
They allow less luggage to be carried on than the majority of other respected carriers. Also, Qatar strictly governs what you are permitted to bring on board. Computer wires, cameras, laptops, and other electronics are not restricted to the 15 lb weight limit.
We have grown used to bringing one compact carry-on suitcase with wheels and one small backpack or shoulder bag each, as allowed by airlines such as British Airways, Air Canada, Delta, and KLM.
However, when we checked in for our Qatar trip to Doha at the airport in Los Angeles, this was not allowed. The service member working at Qatar check-in began by weighing our carry-on rollaway baggage. Our two were both above the threshold.
In the end, we had to check in one of the rollaways and repack twice to fit our carry-on bags within the permitted amount. We were happy to have a folding day bag, which we filled with our phones, Kindle, laptop, wires, chargers, and binoculars.
Doha airport hotels
Qatar Airways allows you to break up your long-haul flight with an overnight stay in Doha. Except for hand baggage, you can choose to check your bags at your destination As previously said, we used this opportunity to spend the night in Doha.
Doha Airport Transit Hotel
On researching airport hotels in Doha, we found that there does not exist any of the usual lodging options that come with free shuttle service to and from the airport, such as those found in major North American cities like the DeltaWe had already spent an amazing night at the Dubai Airport transit hotel when traveling from North America to Africa on an Emirates flight.
However, the Doha airport transit hotel costs more than $325 USD per night, in contrast to the Dubai transit hotel, which only costs about USD 200. Even though it would have been a simple choice, we skipped it in our list., Sheraton, and Hyatt airport hotels. The five-star Oryx Airport Hotel, a transit hotel located within the airport, is the only exception.
Hotels near Doha airport
Many 5-star hotels in Doha cost considerably less than the Doha transit hotel.
One of the greatest spots to visit in Qatar is the Souq Waqif, a marketplace that is close to several evocative premium boutique hotels if you’re planning to stay in Doha.
However, we opted to stay at the Zubarah Hotel for around USD 70. Travelers on a tight budget who appreciate elegance have high praise for this boutique 5-star hotel.
We had everything we needed for seven hours of sleep, and it was quite comfortable. It’s not close to the Souq, but we weren’t planning to be in Doha long enough to see it or eat supper there anyhow.
Also, we paid around $60 USD for the hotel’s private airport car service.
About USD 200 less was spent on lodging including return transport than at the Oryx hotel near the Doha airport.
Qatar Airways Economy Class Bottom Line
Overall, this was a great flight experience with Qatar Airways Economy Class. Even at 16 hours, this was a pleasant flight experience and I have to give Qatar Airways a lot of credit here. The seats were comfortable and the entertainment provided was plentiful. The catering was tasty and the service was attentive. I didn’t have any complaints about this flight and I wouldn’t hesitate to fly with Qatar Airways again.
