While Qatar Airways has new business class and first class suites on the way, the airline has– steadfastly resisted launching premium economy (unlike Gulf rivals Emirates and, from later this year, Riyadh Air).
So you may be surprised to learn that on selected QR flights, the airline actually does offer Qatar Airways premium economy, in its own cabin at the front of economy and behind business class.
Qatar Airways calls this Comfort+, and it can be booked on certain aircraft for an additional fee over your economy fare.
(How much extra depends on the route: between Doha and most European cities it’s around €150.)
Qatar Airways Comfort+ premium economy are most commonly seen on a number of Boeing 777s which were once flown by Cathay Pacific and Virgin Australia, and have been leased by Qatar Airways to make up for ongoing delays in receiving new jets from Airbus and Boeing.
On the former Cathay Pacific 777s flown by Qatar Airways, booking Comfort+ puts you into what was Cathay’s premium economy cabin.
These seats are arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, instead of 3-4-3 in the economy cabin, so they’re ideal for couples to sit together by the window.
Passengers in Qatar Airways’ Comfort+ premium economy enjoy more legroom – the ‘pitch’ is a generous 38”, compared to just 32” in economy.
The well-padded seat itself is also wider than its economy counterpart – 19.5” vs 18.5” – with a deeper 8” recline, a larger 10.6” video screen, and a decent legrest.
It’s a pretty similar setup on the ex-Virgin Australia 777s, with the 19.5″-wide seats in a 2-4-2 layout but set at a very generous 41″ pitch and fronted by a 10.6″ screen.
As you’d imagine, this all adds to a much more comfortable flight than being in a standard economy seat.
However, this seat is the only part of the ‘premium economy’ experience you’ll get on board Qatar Airways.
Meals, drinks, and service are all identical to economy class.
That’s different to the many other airlines which have rolled out premium economy as a true uplift from economy, with better meals and drinks from a bespoke premium economy menu, a dedicated cabin crew, upgraded pillows and blankets and even amenity kit.
Source: https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qatar-airways-premium-economy
