Boarding is delayed! We are inside the plane without AC for a long time. No TV monitor.
Qatar Airways has consistently established a standard in my mind that very few airlines manage to sustain, and once again, this Economy Class journey reaffirmed precisely why. As an avid globetrotter who travels extensively for work, I experience many airlines, service cultures, and interpretations of hospitality. What continues to distinguish Qatar Airways is not any single element, but the complete proposition: professionalism, courtesy, warmth, attentiveness, consistency, and a genuinely polished hospitality culture. There is a reassuring confidence that comes with boarding Qatar because, over many journeys, the airline has simply never underdelivered against the expectations it has established for me. This particular journey was especially memorable. I had recently been promoted to Gold tier with Qatar Airways Privilege Club, was travelling on my birthday, and was flying into India on Indian Independence Day. Collectively, that made this considerably more than another flight. The crew made the personal element truly exceptional. Cabin Supervisor Hershel and Cabin Crew Ali deserve particular recognition. Their hospitality went well beyond procedural service; they took the initiative to acknowledge my birthday and, using the resources available onboard, thoughtfully assembled a small presentation with KitKat chocolates and dessert to wish me. It was simple, spontaneous, genuine, and immensely memorable. For someone who spends a considerable part of life travelling, these are precisely the moments that transcend service delivery and become lasting memories. That is where Qatar continues to excel: exceptionally well trained, composed, aligned, and polished crew who can deliver consistency without appearing mechanical. The human warmth remains evident, and individual colleagues repeatedly find ways to distinguish themselves. One small opportunity would have made the occasion even more complete. As we were travelling from Doha to India on 15 August, still within Indian Independence Day, a subtle acknowledgement of India celebrating its 80th Independence Day, perhaps simply wishing the Indian guests onboard on this proud occasion, would have been a thoughtful and culturally resonant gesture. It certainly does not detract from an excellent journey, but would have added another meaningful dimension to an already memorable flight. The only substantive disappointment was that my checked luggage did not complete the journey with me from Seattle (SEA), via Doha (DOH), to Kolkata (CCU), having been delayed in Doha. A baggage exception report is already on file with the local airport team in Kolkata. Given the confidence Qatar Airways has earned from me over the years, I remain optimistic that they will once again live up to that standard, work their magic, and reunite me with my luggage within the next 24 hours. Overall, another exceptional experience and one I will genuinely cherish. Hershel and Ali, thank you for making my birthday in the skies so memorable. Way to go, Qatar Airways. Please continue investing in and developing your cabin professionals to this calibre. When service excellence is combined with authentic human connection, an ordinary journey becomes an experience a passenger remembers long after landing.
I appreciated the vailability of wheelchair services for persons with mobility issues all the way up to the aircraft. What could be better would be the food choices.
It was ok, not much more can be said, as long as airlines/aircraft manufacturers insist on cramming in as many seats as possible....best of a bad situations, seats are simply too uncomfortable to sit in for more than a few hours. Lack of flexible headrests not a help on long overnight flights either.
No difference between US airline and Qatar. Both cramp as many people. The airline seems to change planes without notice choice is seating when making reservations online doesn’t match the plane a passenger is on. Especially paying extra. Nothing special No different than US carriers.
My carry on bag was taken by Alaska Air as we boarded in LAX! She said there was not room. There was plenty of room. I told her that my meds and personal items were in it. She did not care. She said it would be sent to my final destination, Nairobi. Well it got to Nairobi the day I was to fly home. The handle of my bag was crushed so could not retract. So I had to remove it. I had to buy converters, malaria medication. personal items. I filled out the missing form at the Nairobi airport. I asked that it be shipped to the Kisumu airport. When it was obviously not going to make it for my time in Kenya. I asked that it be sent to John Wayne Airport. NONE of that happened. I only knew it was at Nairobi because my air tag indicated it was finally in Nairobi the day I was leaving Kenya! Now I need to purchase a new carry on bag!!!
Staff was very friendly. There is no on board entertainment, but it’s such a short flight that it doesn’t matter. We also got a meal which was nice and unexpected due to the length of the flight.
From Montreal to Doha , we habe two complaints : 1) They want to charge for Seat Selection, claiming that the Class of ticket bought on Kayak did not cover seat selection. It such a penny pinching rule, I told them, since we paid almost $20,000 our 3 tickets , that rule should never exist. Also I reserved my tickets so many months ahead, I expected they will naturally put the family together or move somebody else to keep our family seating together. I filed a complaint, and NOBODY ANSWERED. 2) In Montreal, Qatar has an arrangement with the National Bank Lounge. It was so overcrowded and the Lounge is so bad in terms of service and food, amenities etc... The WORST lounge . Why Qatar not have another arrangement their Business Class clients in Montreal. The Air France KLM Lounger is better, the Air Canada Lounge is better. Qatar should send somebody to take a look ! Joseph Chung
I liked the overall service and comfort. The only annoying thing was paying for excess baggage at the airport. They have limited options and they don't take all cards.
Nothing I knew what I was getting into ; no complaints when on string budget
The seat was wet when I came in. Food was just something. And during a whole 11 to 12 hours in the airplane NO WIFI. Was is the point to buy a business ticket if you can be connected to your relatives and your company. Ethiopian used to do that to theirs customers, TECHNICAL ISSUE, WE ARE SORRY….. I am a gold customer for ET. It is very disappointed!
I liked everything about the flight. The only thing I would suggest improving is the cleanliness of the plane. With better cleaning, the overall experience would be much better.
Were not told that carryon laggage has to be only 12 kgs but my bag was heavier asked to pay an additional $550.00. I could have upgraded to a bussiness class for that price and no one at the gate to upgrade but able to take money for the extra weight. I felt like this was a setup scam.
Im if Ethiopian can allow customers to use their mileage for in flight connexion it will be great.
It was very bad experience with Ethiopian airlines . The flight was delayed in both ways . On the way coming back one of the crews dropped hot coffee on my whole body and other crew dropped used dirty glasses on top of me . The same crew that dropped hot coffee on me hit me with the food trolley on my knee while I was sleeping . I couldn’t sit properly due to the pain on my knee caused by those irresponsible crews . Very unprofessional airlines
The boarding area was too small with only one agent checking passengers into their standing bus
I took 4 Ethiopian Airlines flights on my trip. Each flight was one of the worst experiences I have had flying. The interior was filthy on each flight, the seats, the floors, the bathrooms. All were filthy. At 5-10, my knees touched the seat in front of me. The person in front of me declined their seat, basically making eye contact with me should they look up. My seat did not recline, so I was trapped in my seat, unable to use the bathroom or get up from my seat unless I woke up the person laying in my lap. My tv and seat were broken, as well as my friends seat and tv for our 14 hr flight. The bathroom closest to us was already clogged before we took off, so the backed up bathroom smells wafted out and into our row the entire 14 hr flight. Out of 4 flights, they were out of vegetarian food options for each meal. Flight staff was fairly rude and unapologetic, finally agreeing to give me a second roll and butter instead of no substitute offered for most of the meals. Flight crew had zero control over the passengers, allowing adults to congregate by exit doors and talk loudly during sleeping hours. Children were allowed to be completely ignored as they played outside of their seats and screeched for the ENTIRE 16 hr return flight. Forcing passengers to try and shush the children. Passengers then got up and got their bags the second the flight touched down, ignoring all safety and exit protocols. I will NEVER fly another Ethiopian Airlines flight as long as I live.
I still cannot find my luggage. I need my luggage.
The gate was changed at the very last moment and no one informed us. The flight was one hour late and the screen broken, the remote control not working. One toilet was out of order . the other toilets were also not totally functioning, because the washbasin was plugged and the water couldn't flow away.
The check in staff was amazing. Best customer service! The plane was old! My entertainment on the first flight didn't work at all, in my seat or in the seat next to me. The bathroom doors were old and troublesome. One of the bathrooms, the whole sink panel was broken. Everything felt old and falling apart. The airline stewardesses were amazing and quite hospitable. When there were delays, they kept us well informed. Transit was GREAT! I wasn't sure how I would make it to my next flight in 1 1/2 hours but the security lines were short and efficient. The C gates in Addis Ababa were CROWDED! That whole space downstairs was too crowded and challenging to manuever. I usually fly Ethiopian within Africa and was interested to see how the experience would be intercontinental. Overall, I would choose it again if it was cheaper than Delta/Air France or Lufthansa/KLM. I wouldn't make it a first choice if the prices were the same because the planes are so old! The food and entertainment also weren't as good. Good selection of movies but as I mentioned, on the first flight they didn't work at all (I slept so it was okay) and the 2nd flight it was glitchy. All in all, I didn't hate it but it would be a first choice only if it's cheaper.
