Flights to Australia - Emirates or Qatar airways?

Dr. Nick

Assuming equal prices, is there a much difference between the two? Do people have a preference? Better service, food, drinks, plane type, seats etc?

WishUWereHere

I flew to Cape Town last September on Emirates. I’m typing now from Cape Town ( again ) after flying Qatar. Put it this way, next time I will revert to Emirates, my ass was killing me after flying out here on Qatar - it felt like a long haul flight on a Ryanair seat.

Sultan of Bling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058345196/flights-to-australia-emirates-or-qatar-airways

Singapore airlines is another option, although it will require 2 stops.

If you are going to Perth, you can do it with Qantas who fly direct from Heathrow although at almost 17 hours flight time, it may not be everyone's cup of tea.

ted1

I’d fly Etihad or emirates and do it often(only as far as the Middle East ). I avoid Qatar as I’ve only had bad experiences with them

WishUWereHere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121985995#Comment_121985995

I’m just home from flying all night via Doha.

I can only agree with You, Qatar are not a patch on Emirates ( cannot comment on Etihad as they don’t fly to Cape Town). The only thing I can give Qatar credit for is they have a huge choice of films to choose from.

Something I cannot understand is why transitting Doha, you still have to a security scan- though if memory serves me right, it has to be done too in Dubai.

davepatr07

Emirates all the way for me, the entertainment and service are the best, even their economy A380 seats I found better than Qatar and Etihad. The B777's they use to Dublin, if you can get the rear window seats that go down from 3 to 2 I highly recommend booking. Flew with them a few times between DUB and MEL/AKL.

KanyeSouthEast

second that. Emirates have a better IFE and the food and service just generally is better and also found the seats and the general cabin a little less cramped. You will have to go through security in Dubai but it’s super efficient and easy. Just to say Qatar are fine if there was a huge difference in price I’d take them but all things being equal Emirates.

Xavi6

I've been flying back and forth from Perth for 17 years and Qatar are my go to, never had an issue and they're usually the most reasonably priced.

Having said that, Emirates offered the best deal for a Christmas trip home later this year and they would be the gold standard if money is no object.

I flew Perth to Rome last September and loved the direct Qantas option so that will definitely be a consideration again in the future.

Etihad were good too but ceased operations from Perth in 2018.

I wouldn't even consider a two-stop option, one is enough.

beachhead

Flying from Dublin I chose Emirates. The food is better than Qatar who have gone downhill since COVID.The entertainment offers are not as good as Qatar.The seats are a little wider than Qatar but but still uncomfortable.Av not used Eithad for years but probably above Qatar.All gulf airlines use the Boeing 777-300 or a variant or Airbus 321 variant - check on flightradar or seatguru.Flights from the UK or European airports will use A350 or A380

beachhead

Forget Singapore Airlines tops but 2 flights needed and none from Dublin

finbarrk

Has anyone here used China Airlines to travel to /from Australia? Prices are good from Heathrow.

Nigel Fairservice

I did Seoul-Doha-Dublin with Qatar Airlines. I didn't think they were anything to write home about. I did the outbound leg of that trip with Etihad who were better

happyoutscan

Planning a jaunt out to the Far East next year with herself and the kids.

I had assumed Qatar Airlines were way ahead of the rest (except for Singapore Airlines).

Have flown Emirates and Malaysian before with no issues.

I'm extremely tall so comfort goes a long way.

No idea who to go with no :)

WishUWereHere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122042112#Comment_122042112

At least going to the FE, gives You plenty of options. I’m just back from CPT, found out the hard way never to go Qatar again.
Depending on time of year You are going remember You now have a Chinese Airline flying Dublin-Beijing for €440 return.

Check Qatar airways on Tripadvisor.

Nigel Fairservice

I flew to Japan last year with Finnair and had one of the easiest connections I've ever had in Helsinki. Finnair were excellent. They seemed to have a few flights out to the Far East from what I could remember.

3DataModem

I fly about 15 times a year on each, en route to Australia / Asia.

First class all routes: emirates is better than qatar, but both are great. actually, qatar can be better if you get the q-suite, but that's only sydney.

Business class: emirates from dublin to dubai is not good at all. qatar from dublin to qatar is great. from the middle east to australia both are pretty comparable, qatar probably a bit better.

Economy: emirates generally better.

deisemum

I'm planning a trip to Melbourne for the end of the year but cannot book until much nearer the time when my son has completed his rural work and knows where and what he'll be doing. I think two stopovers would be the best option as my husband isn't great with long flights and we wouldn't mind long stopovers where we could get some sleep even if it's just allows for one sleep. Any recommendations of route and airlines would be appreciated.

jusvi2001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122062964#Comment_122062964

if you are looking for flights below 7-8 hours each leg then choose Qatar/emirates. Qatar has a stopover over deal where you can book 4 star hotel for €14 per person (google 'discover qatar'). if you are choosing emirates there is a premier inn near to dubai airport (free shuttle available) . we stayed there for 1 night and it cost only €50 per room.

if you can endure one 12.5 hours leg then Singapore airlines is best. they have great deals when book through lufthansa airlines website.

deisemum

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122069521#Comment_122069521

Thanks for that, I just need to wait until my son has done his rural work and knows where he'll be before booking.

Dr. Nick

Thanks for all the feedback. Looking at booking DUB-MEL out and SIN-DUB back (few days in Singapore), with a Quantas flight in between - circa €500.

It's over Christmas so not cheap but Qatar €2004, Etihad €1746, Emirates €2044

jusvi2001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122400273#Comment_122400273

I would go for Emirates or Qatar. Emirates economy seat is better than Qatar and Etihad.

WishUWereHere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122403547#Comment_122403547

I go to CPT as often as I can ( have Family there ) & always go via the ME. OP, I cannot vouch for Etihad as they don’t go to CPT, but of the other two, I concur with Jusvi2001. 2 months ago I flew with Qatar, & being honest it felt like I had my ass on a Ryanair seat for 17 hours - also seriously not impressed with their food.

As Jusvi2001 says, I’d back Him/Her up vouching for Emirates.

Dr. Nick

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122403799#Comment_122403799

Thanks. The €500 saving (for two) has a big influence too!

Iecrawfc

Have done Australia--Ireland route with Ethihad, Emirates and Qatar(most recently) , all much of a muchness, I found Emirates is probably top, Qatar second and Etihad third, airport in Doha is nice but very expensive, been awhile since I was in Abu Dhabi airport but was pretty poor then with security particularly slow, I think they have renovated since though so maybe are better now. If money is a Top concern I'd go with the cheapest at the time.

deisemum

I need a bit of advice now that the time has come to book flights to Australia over this coming Christmas Holidays.

I would like to break the flight and I've seen flights with Emirates that land in Dubai around 6.30am then if I take a longer layover until either 21.15h or 2.55am in the early hours of the next day is it possible to get a hotel near Dubai airport around 7.30am/8am or would we have to wait to a check-in time from 3pm/4pm?

We're also thinking about breaking up the flight between Dubai and Melbourne in Singapore where it's stops for around an hour or two but on the return journey maybe stay a night in Singapore.