2021 Top 5 Winner: QATAR AIRWAYS, Doha, Qatar

What do you say about an airline that is probably already the world’s most awarded airline… ever? Do they even need any more awards?

Well, since Thacks Awards are objective and fair, we’re consistently sticking to our guns and one of the panelists has happily awarded a Top 5 Winner 2021 award to Qatar Airways. Yes, they deserve it for sure – without a doubt. And yes, if you ever fly one business class flight in your life, it HAS TO be with Qatar. Anyone who works in the industry should use the level of service and expertise that Qatar enforces, as the recipe to become the best.

Also, through the pandemic many airlines brought in restrictive silly rules – like Iberia’s ‘one drink only’ policy (even in business class) and Turkish Airlines closing all alcohol stations even in their new Istanbul airport business class lounges and implementing sandwich lunchbox meals but happily charging full price – but Qatar has continued its consistently excellent services throughout. Yes, the crew wore PPE, the ‘candle’, hot towels, and warm nuts temporarily disappeared from business class BUT the hot food and service offering/standard were maintained as were most flights when other airlines opted for large-scale cancellations and cutbacks – regardless of customer spend.

The airline has an oil-rich country behind them and are perhaps less restricted by finances, but instead of mass retrenchments like other Middle East carriers through 2020, they redeployed their staff from planes to admin and the customer centre – with fewer job losses.

In addition, something that caught our eye was the impressive business class wine list and dine-on-demand menus on offering – not to mention the unique Q-suite which allows you and your partner or friends (2 or 4 seated configuration) to share a ‘suite’ in the sky including a double-bed style night’s rest.
Qatar have certainly set the bar and although not always the cheapest option, they are worth travelling for consistency and getting the perk of awesome lounge access once you clock up a few miles. You certainly get what you pay for – and it’s really worthwhile.

Their wine selection panel certainly knows what they’re doing – wines from emerging regions and the ‘classics’; but don’t stop there – their cocktails, beers, spirits and liqueurs are also very impressive. And the food options and variety are extensive and delicious.

Congratulations to Qatar Airways for consistently exceeding expectations.

TOP TIP: When booking your ticket, opt for desktop instead of mobile so that you can see what the price offer would be on upgrading one of the legs to business class. Quite often this is worth it and much cheaper than booking a whole return ticket in business class. Alternatively, ensure you provide your email address when booking direct and you sometimes get an upgrade offer at a fraction of what business class would be. Hurry though, these tickets are often in demand and get snapped up quickly.