Qatar Airways vs Etihad Airways: Which airline is better?

Qatar AirwaysEtihad Airways
54%
46%
95 votes Live Heated rivalry
Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways

51 votes
3.3 traveller score
Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways

44 votes
3.4 traveller score

Passenger ratings

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Qatar Airways

Your ratings - Qatar Airways

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Ticket pricing

Baggage allowance and pricing

Seat comfort

Customer support

Ease of compensation and refunds

Route network

Aircraft quality

Qatar AirwaysEtihad Airways
2.62.2
Value
3.12.8
Legroom & seat comfort
2.92.5
Entertainment
2.92.3
Customer service
2.82.4
Food & beverage
3.42.9
Cleanliness
3.22.6
Ease of compensation & refunds

Discuss your experiences flying with these airlines with other passengers

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Discussion

M

Michael

Oct 28, 2026

Without prior notification all of the departure times were altered. The first aircraft was delayed by two hours for takeoff, landed at Abu Dhabi Airport at 19.40 and informed passengers that the next trip would only be available the following day. That means we were forced to wait 17 hours in the airport for a connecting flight.

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D

Daisy

Oct 28, 2026

We waited a full 3 hours seated in a very hot section of the plane. They finally cancelled the flight. Many children on the plane, including my youngest (9 YO) were overheated and had difficulty breathing. Some of the children also vomitted. My youngest was on the verge of vomitting as well. We did not get much clarity from the ground staff as we collected our luggage. As it was quite late at night, there was skeleton staff at the airport and the Etihad officers were overwhelmed with passenger queries and requests. The next day, I received a number of emails with alternative Etihad flight. This process itself was somewhat confusing as we were getting two different times of the flight though different channels.

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O

Oscar

Oct 28, 2026

I am 21 weeks pregnant and traveling alone with 2 minors. They kept us in the plan. Stayed in a suffocating aircraft with miserable kids and no AC and oxygen for 4 hours trapped like all other passengers. I would like compensation not just for the cancellation but also for the miser caused by staying in an airtight plane in pregnancy with 2 minors and my husband not with me.

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H

Harper

Oct 28, 2026

We were going to start boarding when we were told that boarding was delayed. 2 hours later it was announced at the airport that the flight was cancelled. We were first emailed by Etihad that the flight was at 00:00 which was incorrect. Not only did we intense stress and exaustion (especially our 1 year old daughter) exhaustion through out this ordeal but the delay caused me to miss an important deadline at work that has had subsequent consequences for me, professionally.

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D

Delilah

Oct 28, 2026

I lost money on my hotel in Thailand and also missed my daughters birthday. So I lost a full day of my holiday. For such a big airline this is not acceptable. I didn't receive an email untill around 10.30 am to say my flight was delayed. I had to spend alot of money in Dublin Airport for food and drink. I also lost my taxi fare that I had booked in Bangkok. I also had to pay for the day I missed in my hotel in Thailand. The etihad staff where not helpful at all. I put a complaint in but just received and email saying the delay was out of the airlines control.

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I

Isabella

Oct 28, 2026

I was traveling with 2 checked bags but when I reached Harare I only found 1 the other one never came.

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M

Mia

Oct 28, 2026

Holly was a bridesmaid all her products and clothing packed we changed hotel after first night one suitcase came to first hotel at night the other to se one hotel this caused much stress and upset Two bags were missing We last saw luggage on loading at Manchester before it was returned

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N

Nicholas

Oct 28, 2026

I was forcibly rebooked after airline confirmed that they oversold. They've not addressed anything .Just an copy paste of generic response, and it took them more than a month. Their response was very irresponsible. Not something you expect a world's best airline would do.

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M

Mason

Oct 28, 2026

I submitted a complaint explaining that they had failed to provide the travel requirements to their passengers. They have since corrected the website and apologised, stating that they provide this information as a courtesy.

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E

Emma

Oct 28, 2026

I needed to go straight from the airport to a work meeting. I had a change of clothes and makeup in my carryon, thankfully, but needed essentials to get me to my meeting safely in the freezing cold before I could go home.

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These comments are the subjective opinion of AirAdvisor members and not of AirAdvisor International Inc. We will try to monitor comments for compliance (as feasible).

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