The original post: /r/travel by /u/tnrdt on 2024-10-13 20:22:38.

Recently we had the first experience with Qatar Airways and a layover in Doha. We had four flights, from Europe via Doha to Seychelles. The summary is never-ever doing it again! For a while I’ve been hearing and reading that it’s one of the best airlines and the best airport in the world. I’d seriously question that.

I’ve had positive experience with Emirates so I was hoping for the same with Qatar. First of all, flights were quite uncomfortable. Narrow seats, poor choice of entertainment and reclining not working. The food was disappointing as well, mostly rice and fish or chicken on every flight we had, no matter the time of day. The bread was old and rock hard.

Now for the airport experience, just as Emirates in Dubai, if your layover is over 8 hours they offer free hotel room. We didn’t get that, we were a small group with different passports and the lady got tired of entering them in the system so midway she decided we don’t qualify for rooms “since we’re a group!”. I showed her the terms and conditions on the website which said we do, and before the flight I confirmed it with their help desk. But she didn’t want to hear. She also didn’t want to show me which rule says a group is not entitled. Her reply was make a complaint online and figure out yourself what you’re going to do during the long night layover.

While waiting in the line I noticed that for everyone asking for a room they found a reason not to give it. Every person was rejected. So I wonder if it’s just a trap for attracting tourists? Promise them a free hotel room then have them stuck at the airport where they have to spend money.

Since it was an overnight long layover we went to the premium lounge. That was another disappointment. In the middle of the resting area with loungers you have a smoking room with poor insulation and ventilation. So the resting room is foggy and smelly, full of smoke from cigarettes and it’s quite noisy from the smokers coming in and out. Wondering which architect though that’s a good design?!

We also tried the sleeping pods, but there every hour the employees were loudly kicking out the people who’s time for using is over. Ear plugs didn’t help cause they were knocking on the pods.

Then for the gates, it’s a huge airport. There are hundreds of gates. It takes a very long walk to reach yours. But the gates dont have a boarding bridge. It’s with busses that take 10-15 minutes to take you to your plane.

Now that wouldn’t be a problem if it wasn’t Qatar. It’s over 40° Celsius/100° Fahrenheit outside, so you wait to board the bus in the burning hot sun. One of the busses didn’t had an AC. Then the bus drops you in front of the plane, where you have to wait in line to get to the stairs, by now you’re sweating buckets. And we’re talking about big planes like 777. So it’s a lot of stairs you have to climb to get inside, with hand luggage or babies in your arms. There were old people that couldn’t climb it while carrying their bags. So the younger passengers had to assist them. Of course no airport employees available for it.

All in all, choosing Qatar Airlines and Doha Airport was a terrible decision. For sure we won’t make the same mistake again. l still wonder how they are getting such a high rating, it’s certainly not deserved.

Was it just our bad luck or anyone else experienced the same?