Qatar Airways delivers a seriously connected travel experience

 
It is always interesting to check out a different airline experience. 

Having sampled Emirates, Etihad and Oman Air, I completed the quadrella with Qatar Airways. 

Qatar Airways has been one of the great aviation success stories.

In just over 30 years it has grown to flying to over 170 international destinations across five continents.

In Australia it flies from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide Brisbane and Perth, and offers connections to global locations like Toronto with just one stop in Doha.

The airline currently operates a fleet of more than 200 aircraft and has a code share agreement with Virgin Australia, meaning Velocity members can earn points and status credits.

Qatar Airways won the ‘World’s Best Airline’ for an unprecedented ninth time at the 2025 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax.

I did four legs in economy class this month and was impressed, despite all four long-haul legs being almost completely full flights.

The meals were good, service from a multi-cultural crew above average and all four legs were either on time or early.

Qatar Airways being a full-service airline you get a pillow, blanket and amenities pack on every leg – but bring noise cancelling headphones as the airline is popular with young families.

Its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport has been named the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for 11 consecutive years, as well as ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’ for the third year in a row.

Qatar Airways, founded in 1994, stands out from the crowd for a couple of reasons. It leads the aviation industry on connectivity with free Starlink wifi on 54 of its B777 aircraft and now being progressively rolled out to the Airbus A350 fleet.

Delivering speeds of up to 500 Mbps per aircraft, this is a game-changer for productivity and entertainment. Not only was I able to keep up to date with emails and update my website but I was also able to watch live football matches, including a very entertaining game between Liverpool and Newcastle.

Whether you're in economy or business, Starlink wifi is completely free gate-to-gate.

If you join Qatar Airways Privilege Club, members enjoy several exclusive benefits, including priority standby, Flexi Awards, lounge access and increased baggage allowances.

Members also gain access to enhanced recognition and benefits across the oneworld network.

If you are transiting through Doha, then you should beg, grovel or do whatever it takes to break your journey in the amazing Al Mourjan Lounge - The Garden (above).

Enjoy a full meal, a snack, a drink or two in luxe surroundings. The lounge features 24 quiet rooms, seven spa treatment rooms, a fitness studio and scenic relaxation areas with unrivalled views of  the leafy The Orchard complex below.

Surrounded by popular retailers and restaurants, it can accommodate up to 707 passengers. 

A shower between flights is a welcome luxury.  Then choose between hot and cold buffets, sushi and salads, cocktail and bistro bar offerings, together with à la carte dining

# Qatar Airways flies from Sydney to Toronto with one stop in Doha. See https://www.qatarairways.com/en-au/homepage.html? 

# The writer was given lounge access by Qatar Airways.