The comparison between Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways would be of interest to travelers as both, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, are two premium airlines operating in the Gulf region, but with some difference in their service. While Qatar Airways is the national airlines of Qatar having its headquarters in Doha, Etihad is a major airline of Abu Dhabi, UAE. Etihad comes from Arabic word meaning union, denoting UAE. Both the airlines are considered top class by passengers and regarded highly by Skytrax. Whatever differences they may have in the facilities they have to offer, you should remember that they belong to the best airline category.
More about Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is among the very few airlines having a 5 star rating from Skytrax. It is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world with a fleet of 144 aircrafts at its disposal. It conducts flights to 140 destinations covering Asia, Africa, Europe, Middle East, Oceania and North and South America. It is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world. Established in 1993, Qatar Airways was owned by members of royal family, but it was revamped in 1997 and today 50% of the equity is in the hands of private investors. Apart from regular passenger services, Qatar Airways also conducts cargo services and earns huge revenue from it.
Qatar Airways became the first airline in the world to use Gas to liquid (GTL) fuel in 2009. This was done to check the viability of natural gas as a jet fuel. Qatar is one of the largest producers of natural gas.
Qatar Airways has a developed in-flight entertainment system with a touchscreen fitted at the back of every seat for the passengers. It offers tickets in three categories, First, Business and Economy.
More about Etihad Airways
Etihad was established as a national airline of UAE in 2003 by the royal family. Within a short span of time, Etihad has become a prominent airline growing at a rapid rate. Today, it conducts flights to 63 destinations carrying more than 6 million passengers annually.
It offers tickets in three classes known as Economy, Business, First, The Residence (The world’s only three room private luxury cabin, exclusive to the Etihad A380 serving London Heathrow and Sydney). Etihad uses AVOD (audio video on demand) system for in-flight entertainment. Etihad has a fleet of loyal passengers who appreciate its quality of service.
What is the difference between Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways?
• Both airlines allow 32kg baggage (baggage weight changes according to class and destination: Qatar Baggage / Etihad Baggage ) with the dimensions defined as, Qatar 158cm and Etihad 158cm for flights to and from US, Canada and Brazil.
• In terms of customer experience from booking of flights to check-in, baggage drop, boarding, plane conditions, in-flight entertainment and quality of food served, the two airlines have not much to choose from and Etihad is only marginally ahead of the two.
• Quatar airways is one of the few, that have been awarded 5 stars rating by Skytrax.
• Quatar has First, Economy and Business classes. Etihad has Economy, Business, First and The Residence classes.
• Qatar flies to more destinations that Etihad.
Images Courtesy:
- Qatar Airways by CC BY-SA 3.0] via Wikipedia
- Etihad Airways, by Lars Hentschel [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons