Qatar Airways to Australia, via Doha

[LarkinSky]

Has anyone recently flown with Qatar Airways, with or without a child (in economy)?

And has anyone had a stopover/flight change in Doha airport?

Dh and I have just booked to fly Qatar to Melbourne (to visit the in-laws), via Doha, with 26 month old dd. (Singapore Airways was much more expensive, or we would have chosen them again - mind you Qatar still cost us thousands though!)

I've done a search, but it didn't come up with any recent info on the airline, and I know they can change in quite short periods of time.

So has anyone recently used them, or have any tips on flying with Qatar, reassurance about how good they are, or any warnings to heed? And any tips on using Doha airport for the few hours we have there. We're going in four weeks!

Please don't tell me any horror stories though as it's all booked now, and I'm feeling a little daunted. I have flown long-haul to the US with dd before, and lots of short haul around Europe, but this 23 hour stretch is a different kettle of fish entirely!

I haven't flown with them myself but I have a friend who does regularly and she says that they are excellent. I think Doha airport is not great though. Have a wonderful trip

Hi hollypocks, a late reply, but thanks for answering me, that's reassuring to hear your friend's view on Qatar - and it's a good job we only have a few hours to stretch out in Doha!

I flew with Qatar when DD was about 4 weeks old, then returned when she was about 4 months old. They were very good. The staff were helpful but the airport was dire. To be fair though, it had only recently opened.

Just flew rountrip on Qatar Airways two weeks ago, with my 8 and 4 yo's. We were in economy and it was fine, very good ondemand entertainment, with lots of kids stuff. You little one is too young to appreciate it but you will enjoy it.

I think for transfers Doha airport is fine, we were staying in Doha and its confusing because theres still two bits to it, an old one and a new one. Friends that have only transited through Doha to Thailand or Sri Lanka have told me they were really impressed so im guessing they stayed in the new airport for transitting.

I've just been told a bit of a horror story regarding transiting through Doha with Qatar Airways and it's really put me off. I'm going out to Sydney on my own with my 5 year old daughter. Flights look great but have been told that the airport is dire and intimidating; that everyone jostles and pushes, no one queues, and a woman on her own with a young child would get treated really poorly. Don't like the sound of it at all, but can't find any other evidence that this is the case. Is it true that you have to go through customs again when in transit and that it's chaos??

We've flown with them (not to Oz though) and it was excellent. I didnt know it at the time but there is a lounge (Oryx I think it is called) at Doha airport where you can simply pay something like £20 and use their facilities whilst in transit. Showers, food and drink etc. Definitely worth investigating! We are considering going with them to Oz as I like the idea of breaking the long flight up into two more manageable chunks (7 hrs and 10 hrs) rather than a longer 14 hour stint in economy to Singapore and then on.... Good luck!! PLEASE tell us how it went.

We flew to China with Qatar. Great service on board and we only had a couple of hours stopover at Doha which was in a modern terminal with all the usual facilities.

DC's were 8 & 5 so it gave them time to stretch their legs and for DH to find a plug to recharge the iPad before boarding the second flight.

Having flown with both Virgin & BA recently, i have to say i prefer the Middle Eastern airlines for service and comfort!