Qatar Airways Guide - Cheapflights

Qatar Airways is the state-owned carrier of Qatar and was formed in 1993. Its fleet currently numbers 192 aircraft flying to 151 destinations around the globe. It is headquartered in Doha, Qatar, and currently employs around 24,000 staff directly. It is a member of the Oneworld Alliance.

Contact Details

Telephone (US): +1-877-777-2827 or 1-954-745-0380
Website: www.qatarairways.com

Mailing Address:
PO Box 22550
Doha, Qatar

Qatar Airways is also on social media:
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What are Qatar Airways check-in options?

Online check-in
Priority boarding
Flying with children
Seating for infants and children
Unaccompanied children
Flying while pregnant
Senior fares
Group bookings
Disabled access and medical equipment
Pets and service animals

Online check-in

Online check-in for flights between Doha and the U.S. opens 24 hours before departure. For all other flights, online check-in is available 48 hours to 90 minutes before flight departure.

Check out our guide to 10 things to do before your flight.

Priority boarding

Frequent fliers registered as Platinum and Gold members are entitled to priority boarding at selected domestic and international airports. This is regardless of the cabin class you are flying in. Passengers travelling with young children or infants will also be offered priority boarding.

Flying with children

Infants under the age of two but older than 7 days are eligible for the infant fare (10% of adult fare) if they are carried on the lap of the accompanying adult. The child fare (varies depending on flight) is applicable if the infant travels in a seat of their own. You will need to contact the airline to make your reservation if you plan to book travel that involves 2 infants for each one adult. In this case, the second infant must be older than 12 months and have their own seat. Children aged between 2 and 5 years must travel with an adult aged over 16.

Seating for infants and children

You can bring your own infant car seat on board a Qatar flight but to do so, you will need to reserve a seat on the flight for your child at the child fare rate. Infant car seats carried on board a flight need to be pre-approved for aircraft travel and must fit onto the cabin seat. They are only permitted for children aged between 6 months and 36 months.

Bassinets are also available for infants but are available on a first come, first serve basis, so you will need to request this service at the time of booking. Bassinets on Qatar flights have a weight limitation of 24.25 lbs. Children who weigh more than this will need to travel in a seat of their own or on the lap of the accompanying adult.

Unaccompanied children

Chaperone services are offered for children travelling alone aged 5-15 years. An adult fare needs to be purchased for the child as well a return fare for the airline representative who acts as the escort for your child. The service includes that your child is escorted through Immigration and Customs by Qatar Customer Service Agents for international flights. You will need to contact the airline 72 hours before departure to arrange this service. We have a guide for children flying alone.

Flying while pregnant

Expectant mothers may fly up until 28 weeks of their pregnancy without a medical certificate, although this is recommended to prevent delays at check-in. From week 29-36 a medical certificate is required, and a MEDIF form from the 33rd week. Air travel is no longer permitted after the commencement of the 36th week of pregnancy. This is only for single pregnancies, however. For multiple pregnancies, pregnant women may not travel after the commencement of the 33rd week of their pregnancy. Here’s our guide to flying while pregnant.

Group bookings

You may inquire into group bookings if you plan to travel as a party of 10 or more people. You can get a quote by filling out the online form. Special services offered include group seating, dedicated services such as meet and assist at the airport for a smooth check-in, extra baggage allowances for sports equipment and competitive group fares. More info including contact details can be found here.

Disabled access & medical equipment

You can use the ‘Manage Booking’ page to make certain requests, such as wheelchair assistance, stowing an assistive device, seat selection and escort assistance for the visually impaired on Qatar flights. In some cases, you may need to fill out a Medical Information Form. Qatar Airways aircraft are generally equipped with seats with movable armrests, handrails in lavatories, and special onboard wheelchairs (on the Airbus A330, A340, A350, A380, Boeing 777 and 787). A special wheelchair is available on board the A319 aircraft.

If you intend to travel with your own wheelchair or use other mobility aids, you will need to inform the airline at least 48 hours prior to departure through the ‘Manage Booking’ feature online. The carriage of your wheelchair or mobility aid is free of charge. Note that space in the passenger cabin is only available for one folding / collapsible or ‘manual’ wheelchair or other mobility aids such as canes, crutches, and walkers. Space is allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis.

We also have guides on flying with disabilities and travelling with medication.

Pets and service animals

On certain routes, Qatar Airways allows service dogs in the passenger cabin, free of charge, to accompany a passenger with a disability. On all other routes, service dogs will be accepted free of charge as checked baggage within the aircraft hold. One pet per passenger is permitted in the economy class, with a total of 6 pets allowed in the cabin. You will need to inform the airline 48 hours ahead of departure that you plan to fly with your pet and have all the necessary documentation available before travel. This includes their health certificate (signed by your veterinarian, indicating that the animal is fit to fly) and identification or pet passport.

Be sure to check out our guide before you fly with your pet.

What are Qatar Airways’ baggage allowance limits and fees?

Carry-on size
Checked luggage size
Extra and overweight baggage charges
Musical and sport equipment

Domestic

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International

The checked baggage allowance depends on your destination. Here’s an overview. For each additional piece of baggage carried over the limit, a respective fee shall apply that can be determined here.

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Musical and sport equipment

You can carry sports equipment with us as part of your free or purchased checked baggage if it is packed appropriately and meets the size and weight restrictions. Items that exceed the standard dimensions will incur an excess baggage surcharge. Golf bags and fishing equipment can be carried as cargo or checked baggage. When purchased in advance, specific sporting equipment rates apply (excluding online excess baggage purchase). When purchased at the airport, regular excess baggage rates apply.

What additional fees does Qatar Airways charge?

Booking fees
Flight cancellation policy
Travel insurance

Booking fees

A US$25 non-refundable fee will apply for tickets purchased by phone or through a Qatar Airways office, or for any modifications or reissues for tickets originally issued by a third party through a Qatar Airways office. The following ancillary fees also apply:

Cancellation penalties of reservation: From US$100-500 (based on fare purchased)
Changes to reservation: From US$75-500 (based on fare purchased)
No-show penalties: From US$100-200 (based on fare purchased)

Flight cancellation policy

You can modify your booking via Manage a Booking tab on qatarairways.com. If your ticket can be changed online, the ‘Modify flights’ button will be displayed. After clicking this button, you will be able to select new flights and pay any change in fees online immediately. If your ticket cannot be changed online, you will need to contact the nearest Qatar Airways office. For Here’s a list of Qatar Airways offices. If your flight is to or from the U.S. and you book one week or more prior to your flight departure through the Qatar website, the following is applicable:

Reservation for flights from the US can be held for 24 hours without payment. A full refund is given within 24 hours of ticket purchase for flights to the U.S.

Travel insurance

Travel Guard for Qatar Airways is underwritten by American International Group (AIG). A list of the countries for which residents may purchase insurance is available here.

What amenities does Qatar Airways offer?

In-flight entertainment
Food
Seating
Lounges
Frequent Flier Program

In-flight entertainment

Qatar offers an extensive entertainment program as part of their Oryx One system. You can see what movies, TV programs, audiobooks, albums and more are available on your flight here.

Food

Qatar offers a range of different meals including vegetarian, medical, halal and vegan dishes. You can order your special meal when making your flight booking at your travel agency or online via no later than 24 hours before departure. Except for vegetarian meals, no special meal requests can be confirmed for intra-gulf flights.

Seating

Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum, Gold and Silver members can choose preferred seats in the front area of the economy cabin. If you book online up to 72 hours prior to flight departure, you can choose the preferred seats from the seat map in the booking engine. Qatar Airways reservations agents and travel agents will also be able to book preferred seats. Preferred seating is also available to: Emerald, Sapphire, Ruby members of Oneworld Airlines

Accompanying passengers (including child, infant) within same booking reference/PNR
Customers paying the highest Economy Class fares

Lounges

Qatar Privilege Club members have access to Qatar’ international lounge network, which includes First Class lounges and Business Lounges when travelling overseas. Shower facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the lounge, a business center, conference rooms, as well as a smoking area are all accessible in the lounges. They are open to frequent flyers on the Platinum, Gold and Silver status. Platinum and Gold members have Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire status respectively, giving cardholders access to more than 600 airport lounges worldwide offered by Oneworld member airlines when they fly with one of the alliance’s carriers.

Frequent flier program

Qatar Airways was one of the founding members of the Oneworld network. Here are the benefits based on membership levels, and here’s where to sign up.

What about missing or damaged baggage?

Delayed, missing or damaged luggage
Compensation for baggage

Delayed, missing or damaged luggage

If your checked baggage is not available on arrival, you will need to head to the Airport Baggage Services counter as soon as possible to lodge a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) directly with the airline that operated your flight. If your bags were checked for multiple flights, and your final carrier was not Qatar, you will need to approach the airline that operated your final flight.