I’ve been a frequent flyer for years now, mostly in economy (I haven’t won the lottery yet). As a professional traveler who racks up long-haul flights like it’s my side hustle, I take my airline seat choice seriously. So when I booked Qatar Airways economy from San Francisco to Doha, then onward to the Maldives, I knew I had to write this review.
Spoiler: Qatar Airways economy is one of the most comfortable long-haul experiences I’ve had, but their strict carry-on luggage policy nearly ruined my trip.
This was my first time flying Qatar Airways, and honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever been excited to sit in economy for 15 hours before. But I had heard so many good things about the airline that I was curious if the hype was real.
And it is. From customer service to in-flight comfort, Qatar Airways economy lived up to the buzz.
Pros and Cons of Flying Qatar Airways Economy
Pros
- Spacious seats with adjustable headrests and plenty of legroom and a free amenity kit
- Excellent food (think curry, chicken, dessert, and free wine)
- Huge entertainment screen with tons of movies, fast Wi-Fi, and device charging
- Friendly, attentive cabin crew who actually respond quickly
- Affordable upgrade options like preferred seating or exit rows
- Avios loyalty points that transfer to British Airways
Cons
- 7KG carry-on weight limit
- Extra seat buyout ($320) is pricey unless you really want to sprawl
- Exit row seats cost more ($150+) which adds up on round-trips
- Long-haul flights are still long, even with great service
- Most meals have dairy
The Big Downside: 7KG Carry-On Luggage Limit
Let’s start with the biggest issue I had on this flight: Qatar Airways only allows 7 kilograms (about 15 pounds) for carry-on bags in economy, and yes, they weigh every single bag. It was worse to deal with than Frontier Airlines.
This might sound fine if you’re packing literally just your passport and a change of clothes, but as someone who travels with a DSLR camera, a laptop, and batteries I can’t check, this was a nightmare. I arrived early to check in and still spent two stressful hours shuffling items around, trying to get my bag underweight. The gate staff were strict and unsympathetic, even when I explained I couldn’t check expensive camera gear or lithium batteries.
With ten minutes left before bag drop closed, a kind agent finally let me keep my camera body, but I had to check my overnight kit, chargers, and pajamas. I saw other passengers struggling too: a businessman with a laptop bag, and a couple on their honeymoon who couldn’t figure out how to cut down their carry-on weight.
I’ve flown dozens of international airlines, and Qatar is the only one I’ve personally experienced that enforces such a low carry-on limit this aggressively. If you’re a photographer, creative traveler, parent with bottles and kids’ supplies, or anyone who needs more than a small backpack, 7KG simply isn’t enough.
Booking and Customer Service
Before I even got on my flight to Doha, I hit a snag. I couldn’t log into my Qatar Airways account to manage my reservation. Normally that kind of thing would send me spiraling since I love to make sure I have good seat, but their customer service was amazing.
I called, and within minutes a rep not only fixed the issue but also secured me an aisle seat on both of my flight legs. Huge win.
That is the kind of service that makes me trust an airline. When something goes wrong, they don’t just fix it, they actually care.
Qatar Seat Selection and Upgrades
For this long-haul, I paid $63 for a preferred seat. Why? Because on a 15-hour flight, location matters. The preferred cabin section is quieter, and I was manifesting having the whole row to myself. I’ve been stuck on long flights to Copenhagen before where the cabin is packed full and people talk the whole time (why??) so I wanted to sit in a cabin that wasn’t as booked up.
There was also an option to pay about $320 to buy both seats next to me in their Economy Seat Reserve program, and sprawl out like I was in my own private bed. Sadly, my bank account said “not today.” So I went with the $63 gamble and crossed my fingers.
I’m also 5’5″ and like to leave exit row seats to taller travelers, but those were available for about $150 each way.
In the end, I switched to a seat in the back to have a whole row to myself. I didn’t get reimbursed for the $63 I coughed up but I did get to actually lay down and sleep a little which was a win for me.
The Economy Seat and Entertainment
Qatar Airways economy seats are spacious for economy. Decent legroom, adjustable headrests, and a surprisingly wide entertainment screen.
And let me tell you, the entertainment system is legit. The screen was big and bright, the movie selection was incredible, and there were easy ways to charge my phone. Plus, the Wi-Fi actually worked. Like, fast. I’ve flown plenty of airlines where “Wi-Fi” basically means paying to stare at a loading screen.
Not here. Between the movies, TV shows, and solid connection, I was happily distracted for the entire 15-hour flight to Doha. Dressed in my favorite travel set by Spanx that feels like I’m wearing a cloud, I was actually able to sleep for about 5 hours. Score!
The cabin itself was spotless and modern. Lighting was soft enough that it didn’t feel like I was sitting under interrogation bulbs, which made it easier to nap.
Qatar Airways Meals and Service
Qatar Airways has the best economy food services in the sense they are always giving you food. Usually, I brace myself for mushy pasta and a bread roll that tastes like cardboard and a sad breakfast sandwich.
Instead, I got flavorful chicken curry with rice, fresh fruit, chow main noodles and 3 gin and tonic cocktails. That said, most meals included dairy, so I couldn’t eat everything since I’m lactose intolerant. The ice cream snack was also off-limits for me. If you have dietary restrictions, order a special meal ahead of time.
The flight attendants were also nice on board. Attentive without hovering, helpful without making me feel like a nuisance. On some airlines, pressing the call button feels like yelling into the void. On Qatar, someone was always nearby and happy to help.
Thanks to my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, I get Priority Pass access to airport lounges, so I was able to swing by the lounge in DOHA for snacks to make up for what I couldn’t eat on the plane that had dairy.
My Layover in Doha
If you’re flying through Doha Hamad International, be ready. Hamad International Airport is massive, modern, and honestly feels like a destination in itself. Even economy passengers feel taken care of here. You’ll find plenty of places to stretch, shop, and grab food.
Since I was traveling for business, my client booked me a room at the Oryx One Airport Hotel. I only had six hours (6 pm to midnight) but it was a total game-changer after a long-haul flight across the world in economy class seats.
A shower, room service, and a chance to collapse into a real bed before boarding another flight made the next four-hour leg in Qatar Economy to the Maldives so much easier. Oh, did I mention I flew on my 34th birthday? Qatar is a Muslim country and the hotel doesn’t serve alcohol, so I had to wait until I got to my Maldives hotel to have a class of bubbly, but this was not at all a bad way to celebrate my big day.
Qatar Loyalty and Avios Points
Another perk I love is that Qatar Airways partners with British Airways. I earned 7,600 Avios on flights last year since I flew to London a few times, and earned 5000 points from my flight to the Maldives. I realized I could transfer those points into my new Qatar account or vice versa all on the Qatar Airways website.
It feels nice knowing my random trips actually add up to something useful.
Qatar Airways Economy Class Seat Types
When you book a Qatar Airways economy flight, you’re not just stuck with “one size fits all.” There are a few seat types to choose from depending on your budget, height, or how much you value personal space on a long-haul. Here’s the breakdown:
Standard Seat
These are your classic economy seats. Window, aisle, or middle — nothing fancy, but still comfortable with good legroom and that wide entertainment screen. Standard seats are complimentary for most fare types, but if you’re on Economy Classic, you may need to pay a small fee to pre-select.
Preferred Seat
This is what I booked for $63. Preferred seats are at the front of the economy cabin (and on the upper deck of select Airbus A380s). They’re quieter, mean less foot traffic, and you usually get served meals a little faster. For me, that alone made the upgrade worth it.
Extra Legroom Seat
If you’re tall or just like to stretch out, these seats are your best friend. Located in the exit rows and bulkhead rows (and on the upper deck of the A380), they give you way more legroom than a standard economy seat. They typically run around $150 each way, which can add up, but if you’re over six feet tall, this could be a game changer for a 15-hour flight.
Economy Reserve
This is Qatar’s fancy way of saying you can pay to keep the seat next to you empty. On my flight it was about $320, which basically turns your row into a poor man’s business class bed. You can stretch out, spread out, or even set up a little work station. The catch? You have to request Economy Reserve at check-in or at the transit desk in Doha. It’s not available for exit rows or bulkhead seats, and you can’t use the empty space as luggage storage.
Is Qatar Airways Economy Worth It?
For me, it’s complicated. Once you’re on the plane, Qatar Airways economy really does live up to the hype: excellent customer service, one of the best entertainment systems I’ve seen, plenty of food and drinks (hello, gin and tonics), and generally comfortable seats for a 15-hour haul from San Francisco to Doha.
But the 7KG carry-on luggage policy is a dealbreaker for many travelers like myself. I travel with a DSLR camera, laptop, and batteries, all items that can’t go in checked luggage, and it was incredibly stressful to get through check-in.
I wasn’t the only one; I saw multiple passengers struggling with overweight bags, from honeymooners to business travelers. If you’re traveling ultra-light, you’ll probably never notice this. If you’re creative, a parent, or someone who needs more than just a small purse onboard, it could be a nightmare. I’m already dreading my flight home from the Maldives.
Knowing what I know now about the baggage rules, I’d think twice before booking Qatar Airways if I need my camera gear.
Bottom line: Qatar Airways economy is worth it if you normally check all your luggage and fly with jsut your passport and a couple of items. The in-flight experience is top-notch and shows you don’t need a business-class ticket to have a comfortable, even enjoyable, long-haul journey. But if your essentials tip the scale over 7KG, you may want to look at another airline.
Qatar Airways Economy Class FAQ
Is Qatar Airways economy class comfortable for long flights?
Yes. I flew 15 hours from San Francisco to Doha and was comfortable the whole way thanks to good legroom, soft lighting, great meals, and a huge entertainment system.
Does Qatar Airways economy include Wi-Fi?
Yes. I was impressed by how fast it was compared to other airlines. I could scroll, message, and even stream without pulling my hair out.
Do you get free drinks in Qatar Airways economy?
Yes, both wine and beer are complimentary. I had multiple glasses of wine with my meal, which made economy feel a lot more elevated.
What is the food like on Qatar Airways economy?
It’s genuinely the best economy food I’ve ever had. Think curry, chicken, fresh bread, and real desserts instead of the usual sad pasta.
Are seat upgrades worth it?
I paid $63 for a preferred seat and didn’t end up sitting in that seat. But if you want extra legroom, book an exit row. If you want to sprawl out, consider paying for the extra seat buyout since laying down for those 15 hours was amazing.
Does Qatar Airways have a loyalty program?
Yes, they use Avios points, which can transfer to British Airways. On this trip I earned 5000 Avios points, and since I’ve flown to London before, I like that I can pool all points across airlines.
