Based on recent customer reviews, Qatar Airways draws praise for friendly cabin crew, punctual departures and smooth Doha connections, with several travellers highlighting attentive staff and enjoyable onboard meals. However, most feedback is strongly negative and centres on damaged or lost baggage claims that stall for months, unpaid refunds and compensation, and unresolved cases despite repeated calls and case numbers. Passengers departing OR Tambo report denied boarding over documentation and passport disputes, plus poor assistance for disabled and elderly travellers. Reviewers also mention cramped economy seating, disappointing food portions and unhelpful call centre and live chat support.
TrustIndex
2.6
NPS Score
-100
Recommended: Unlikely
Nov '25 - Oct '26
Frequently Asked Questions About Qatar Airways
What do customers say about Qatar Airways?
Based on recent customer reviews, Qatar Airways draws praise for friendly cabin crew, punctual departures and smooth Doha connections, with several travellers highlighting attentive staff and enjoyable onboard meals. However, most feedback is strongly negative and centres on damaged or lost baggage claims that stall for months, unpaid refunds and compensation, and unresolved cases despite repeated calls and case numbers. Passengers departing OR Tambo report denied boarding over documentation and passport disputes, plus poor assistance for disabled and elderly travellers. Reviewers also mention cramped economy seating, disappointing food portions and unhelpful call centre and live chat support.
Is Qatar Airways trustworthy?
Qatar Airways has a TrustIndex of 2.6 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 33 reviews in the last 12 months. Hellopeter has tracked Qatar Airways across 407 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →
Recent reviews (33)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Mar 2016
Very distraught Customer
I was travelling from Cape Town to Aucland New Zealand with a 19hour stay over in Doha via Adelaide to Auckland New Zealand, when the group hostess announced the flight I approached her asking if would need a transit visa to Adelaide, she asked from what country I was from I said South Africa, she said yes that I needed a visa and told me to go up to immigration transfers, I was told by transfers that I did not need one, yet I was denied access, I missed my flight and incurred extra cost in booking accomodation and taxi fees, I missed my hotel booking at the Ackland Kiwi hotel, and missed my flight from Auckland to Whabgerei that was booked for the next day. I submitted a complaint but was met with hostility and was accussed of the one who refused to travel, the customer service agent Mohamed Aly at Qatar informed me that I was the one who refused to travel after investigating and it was concluded that I was at fault and that Qatar is not taking responsibility for my claim
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2016
Very distraught Customer
I was travelling from Cape Town to Aucland New Zealand with a 19hour stay over in Doha via Adelaide to Auckland New Zealand, when the group hostess announced the flight I approached her asking if would need a transit visa to Adelaide, she asked from what country I was from I said South Africa, she said yes that I needed a visa and told me to go up to immigration transfers, I was told by transfers that I did not need one, yet I was denied access, I missed my flight and incurred extra cost in booking accomodation and taxi fees, I missed my hotel booking at the Ackland Kiwi hotel, and missed my flight from Auckland to Whabgerei that was booked for the next day. I submitted a complaint but was met with hostility and was accussed of the one who refused to travel, the customer service agent Mohamed Aly at Qatar informed me that I was the one who refused to travel after investigating and it was concluded that I was at fault and that Qatar is not taking responsibility for my claim
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2017
I need someone to assist me as the avenues I tried isn't helping
I don't have a complaint yet, but I need assistance as I contacted the call center and also online chat and they can't assist me. I also emailed them with no response received. I booked a flight 8 months in advance and I had to be back at a certain time. The flight has now changed and I requested the same flight but they said no seats are available. I'm sure there are some seats available. Then I requested a complimentary hotel because now my transit is really long.. They can't give this also.. This is very inconvenient as I am traveling with 4 small kids and a baby. Please reach out
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2017
I need someone to assist me as the avenues I tried isn't helping
I don't have a complaint yet, but I need assistance as I contacted the call center and also online chat and they can't assist me. I also emailed them with no response received. I booked a flight 8 months in advance and I had to be back at a certain time. The flight has now changed and I requested the same flight but they said no seats are available. I'm sure there are some seats available. Then I requested a complimentary hotel because now my transit is really long.. They can't give this also.. This is very inconvenient as I am traveling with 4 small kids and a baby. Please reach out
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2013
Heartfelt Appreciation for an Exceptional Qatar Airways Experience
Dear Qatar Airways Customer Relations Team, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the outstanding service I received during my recent journey with Qatar Airways on flights QR1366, QR962, QR963, and QR1363. As someone who travels frequently and has accumulated over five years of regular travel experience across various airlines, I can confidently say that this was my first experience flying with Qatar Airways, and it exceeded every expectation I had. In fact, the experience was so remarkable that it made my trip begin long before I reached my destination. From check-in to landing, every touchpoint reflected excellence, professionalism, and genuine care. I would like to start by recognizing the incredible check-in team in Denpasar (Bali). Over the years, I have become accustomed to receiving exceptional customer service at OR Tambo International Airport, but I have rarely encountered the same level of warmth and professionalism elsewhere. The team in Bali genuinely surprised me. Their friendliness, efficiency, patience, and attention to detail were extraordinary. They made me feel valued, welcomed, and appreciated as a passenger. To be completely honest, the kindness and care they showed touched me deeply, and I found myself becoming emotional. In my five years of travelling, this is the first time I have received such remarkable service from the departure point abroad, and it deserves special recognition. Once onboard, the exceptional experience continued. The first thing that stood out was the immaculate cleanliness of the aircraft. Every section of the cabin looked spotless and well-maintained, creating a comfortable and reassuring environment from the moment I boarded. Even the aircraft's exterior looked stunning and reflected the pride Qatar Airways takes in presenting a world-class fleet. As an economy-class passenger, I was particularly impressed by the amount of legroom and overall comfort available throughout the journey. Long-haul flights can often be exhausting, yet the thoughtful cabin design allowed me to travel comfortably and arrive feeling refreshed. I also thoroughly enjoyed the in-flight entertainment selection. There was a wide variety of movies and content available, providing more than enough quality options to keep passengers entertained throughout the journey. It was evident that considerable effort had been invested in ensuring passengers have a pleasant and engaging travel experience. However, what truly left a lasting impression was the culinary experience onboard. The meals served were nothing short of exceptional. Rather than feeling like traditional airline food, every meal felt as though it had been carefully prepared by a private chef from a high-end restaurant. The presentation, quality, flavour, and freshness of the food were outstanding. It is rare to find airline catering that leaves such a memorable impression, yet Qatar Airways managed to do exactly that. Most importantly, I would like to commend the cabin crew across all four flights. Throughout the journey, every interaction was met with genuine smiles, warmth, professionalism, and enthusiasm. The crew consistently demonstrated a willingness to assist, engage, and ensure passengers were comfortable. What impressed me most was that their friendliness never appeared forced or routine. Instead, it felt authentic and heartfelt. The cabin crew transformed what should have been a standard economy-class journey into an experience that genuinely felt comparable to Business Class or even First Class service. Their attention to detail, responsiveness, and dedication to customer satisfaction elevated the entire journey and set a benchmark that few airlines can match. In today's world, exceptional service often goes unnoticed because it has become increasingly rare. That is why I felt compelled to bring this to your attention. Every employee I encountered, from the check-in staff in Bali to the flight attendants onboard, played a role in creating an unforgettable experience. Their commitment to excellence reflects positively on Qatar Airways and reinforces why the airline is regarded as one of the world's leading carriers. Please extend my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the teams responsible for QR1366, QR962, QR963, and QR1363, as well as the exceptional check-in staff in Denpasar. Their efforts did not go unnoticed and made a significant impact on my travel experience. Thank you for making my first journey with Qatar Airways such a memorable one. What started as a flight quickly turned into an experience that I will remember for years to come. I can confidently say that Qatar Airways has earned a loyal customer, and I look forward to many more journeys with your airline in the future. Warm regards, Annastacia Ghavala Johannesburg, South Africa Frequent Traveller and Proud First-Time Qatar Airways Passenger
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2013
Heartfelt Appreciation for an Exceptional Qatar Airways Experience
Dear Qatar Airways Customer Relations Team, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the outstanding service I received during my recent journey with Qatar Airways on flights QR1366, QR962, QR963, and QR1363. As someone who travels frequently and has accumulated over five years of regular travel experience across various airlines, I can confidently say that this was my first experience flying with Qatar Airways, and it exceeded every expectation I had. In fact, the experience was so remarkable that it made my trip begin long before I reached my destination. From check-in to landing, every touchpoint reflected excellence, professionalism, and genuine care. I would like to start by recognizing the incredible check-in team in Denpasar (Bali). Over the years, I have become accustomed to receiving exceptional customer service at OR Tambo International Airport, but I have rarely encountered the same level of warmth and professionalism elsewhere. The team in Bali genuinely surprised me. Their friendliness, efficiency, patience, and attention to detail were extraordinary. They made me feel valued, welcomed, and appreciated as a passenger. To be completely honest, the kindness and care they showed touched me deeply, and I found myself becoming emotional. In my five years of travelling, this is the first time I have received such remarkable service from the departure point abroad, and it deserves special recognition. Once onboard, the exceptional experience continued. The first thing that stood out was the immaculate cleanliness of the aircraft. Every section of the cabin looked spotless and well-maintained, creating a comfortable and reassuring environment from the moment I boarded. Even the aircraft's exterior looked stunning and reflected the pride Qatar Airways takes in presenting a world-class fleet. As an economy-class passenger, I was particularly impressed by the amount of legroom and overall comfort available throughout the journey. Long-haul flights can often be exhausting, yet the thoughtful cabin design allowed me to travel comfortably and arrive feeling refreshed. I also thoroughly enjoyed the in-flight entertainment selection. There was a wide variety of movies and content available, providing more than enough quality options to keep passengers entertained throughout the journey. It was evident that considerable effort had been invested in ensuring passengers have a pleasant and engaging travel experience. However, what truly left a lasting impression was the culinary experience onboard. The meals served were nothing short of exceptional. Rather than feeling like traditional airline food, every meal felt as though it had been carefully prepared by a private chef from a high-end restaurant. The presentation, quality, flavour, and freshness of the food were outstanding. It is rare to find airline catering that leaves such a memorable impression, yet Qatar Airways managed to do exactly that. Most importantly, I would like to commend the cabin crew across all four flights. Throughout the journey, every interaction was met with genuine smiles, warmth, professionalism, and enthusiasm. The crew consistently demonstrated a willingness to assist, engage, and ensure passengers were comfortable. What impressed me most was that their friendliness never appeared forced or routine. Instead, it felt authentic and heartfelt. The cabin crew transformed what should have been a standard economy-class journey into an experience that genuinely felt comparable to Business Class or even First Class service. Their attention to detail, responsiveness, and dedication to customer satisfaction elevated the entire journey and set a benchmark that few airlines can match. In today's world, exceptional service often goes unnoticed because it has become increasingly rare. That is why I felt compelled to bring this to your attention. Every employee I encountered, from the check-in staff in Bali to the flight attendants onboard, played a role in creating an unforgettable experience. Their commitment to excellence reflects positively on Qatar Airways and reinforces why the airline is regarded as one of the world's leading carriers. Please extend my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the teams responsible for QR1366, QR962, QR963, and QR1363, as well as the exceptional check-in staff in Denpasar. Their efforts did not go unnoticed and made a significant impact on my travel experience. Thank you for making my first journey with Qatar Airways such a memorable one. What started as a flight quickly turned into an experience that I will remember for years to come. I can confidently say that Qatar Airways has earned a loyal customer, and I look forward to many more journeys with your airline in the future. Warm regards, Annastacia Ghavala Johannesburg, South Africa Frequent Traveller and Proud First-Time Qatar Airways Passenger
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2012
Poor service dealing with delays
We were delayed in Joburg for almost 3 hours due to aircraft technical issues, this caused me and many others to miss the connecting flights and so I have to spend 7 hours in Doha airport waiting for the next flight in the middle of the night. They did not give any lounge, meal or hotel voucher, Im not impressed and won't fly with them again. The food on the plane is pretty average and they don't have a very big selection of entertainment. The Doha airport is large and poorly sign posted, very difficult to find anywhere comfortable.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2012
Poor service dealing with delays
We were delayed in Joburg for almost 3 hours due to aircraft technical issues, this caused me and many others to miss the connecting flights and so I have to spend 7 hours in Doha airport waiting for the next flight in the middle of the night. They did not give any lounge, meal or hotel voucher, Im not impressed and won't fly with them again. The food on the plane is pretty average and they don't have a very big selection of entertainment. The Doha airport is large and poorly sign posted, very difficult to find anywhere comfortable.
1 reviews | Active since Dec 2020
DISAPPOINTING IN-FLIGHT EXPERIENCE
The Good: Very friendly on flight staff and a reasonably priced ticket. The Bad: Tiny seat, even though I paid extra for a 'preferred' economy seat. Absolute waste of my money thinking I was getting a more comfortable seat. Literally was the same size and leg room as all other economy seats. The worst airline food I have ever tried to eat. Went hungry on all four flights. Johannesburg - Doha - Barcelona Rome - Doha - Johannesburg
1 reviews | Active since Dec 2020
DISAPPOINTING IN-FLIGHT EXPERIENCE
The Good: Very friendly on flight staff and a reasonably priced ticket. The Bad: Tiny seat, even though I paid extra for a 'preferred' economy seat. Absolute waste of my money thinking I was getting a more comfortable seat. Literally was the same size and leg room as all other economy seats. The worst airline food I have ever tried to eat. Went hungry on all four flights. Johannesburg - Doha - Barcelona Rome - Doha - Johannesburg
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2023
Qatar Airways - Business Class Nightmare: Denied Boarding and Abandoned Without Assistance
We bought business class tickets to Japan and received the worst service ever. Due to a minor spelling mistake on my husband's visa we were denied boarding the flight. Although me and our disabled daughter's documents were correct they denied us all boarding. My daughter is disabled and very traumatized by the conflict. The did not offer us any assistance - not even a chair for our disabled daughter to sit on while we try and sort things out which took more than an hour. In front of everyone in a packed airport they moved us out of the line with half of our baggage (the other half was already sent through) and left us in the hallway to fend for ourself. The Supervisor and Manager were very arrogant and upon my question as to what our options are they just told us to phone the call centre for assistance and to wait for our baggage which was sent through for more than 5 hours as the plane had to leave before it can be retrieved. They do not offer any service or assistance of any kind to their passengers - not even Business Class means service or any kind of assistance according to Qatar Airways!!
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2023
Qatar Airways - Business Class Nightmare: Denied Boarding and Abandoned Without Assistance
We bought business class tickets to Japan and received the worst service ever. Due to a minor spelling mistake on my husband's visa we were denied boarding the flight. Although me and our disabled daughter's documents were correct they denied us all boarding. My daughter is disabled and very traumatized by the conflict. The did not offer us any assistance - not even a chair for our disabled daughter to sit on while we try and sort things out which took more than an hour. In front of everyone in a packed airport they moved us out of the line with half of our baggage (the other half was already sent through) and left us in the hallway to fend for ourself. The Supervisor and Manager were very arrogant and upon my question as to what our options are they just told us to phone the call centre for assistance and to wait for our baggage which was sent through for more than 5 hours as the plane had to leave before it can be retrieved. They do not offer any service or assistance of any kind to their passengers - not even Business Class means service or any kind of assistance according to Qatar Airways!!
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2014
Damaged bag, no response
I have been trying since 25 June to get a response regarding damaged luggage. I get the automated reply and then someone from bookings that says he passed it on, but its not his department. Really lame
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2014
Damaged bag, no response
I have been trying since 25 June to get a response regarding damaged luggage. I get the automated reply and then someone from bookings that says he passed it on, but its not his department. Really lame
1 reviews | Active since Jun 2026
Never Volunteer for an Overbooked Qatar Airways Flight
If you are ever asked to volunteer for another flight by Qatar Airways, my advice is simple: don't. Our flight was overbooked, and we were asked to volunteer for a different itinerary. This meant leaving the rest of our travel group and taking three flights instead of two, so we initially declined. The only reason we agreed was because we were promised compensation. Before accepting, I specifically asked whether the compensation was guaranteed, and made it clear that if there was any uncer*****y, I was not interested. Two Qatar Airways employees assured me that the compensation was 100% guaranteed and that, as a professional airline, they would honour it. That was six months ago. Since then, I have called Qatar Airways around 30 times for updates. Every single time I have been told that the matter has been "escalated" and that someone will get back to me. Six months later, I have still received no compensation and no meaningful resolution. My advice: never volunteer when Qatar Airways overbooks a flight. The promised compensation isn't worth trusting.
1 reviews | Active since Jun 2026
Never Volunteer for an Overbooked Qatar Airways Flight
If you are ever asked to volunteer for another flight by Qatar Airways, my advice is simple: don't. Our flight was overbooked, and we were asked to volunteer for a different itinerary. This meant leaving the rest of our travel group and taking three flights instead of two, so we initially declined. The only reason we agreed was because we were promised compensation. Before accepting, I specifically asked whether the compensation was guaranteed, and made it clear that if there was any uncer*****y, I was not interested. Two Qatar Airways employees assured me that the compensation was 100% guaranteed and that, as a professional airline, they would honour it. That was six months ago. Since then, I have called Qatar Airways around 30 times for updates. Every single time I have been told that the matter has been "escalated" and that someone will get back to me. Six months later, I have still received no compensation and no meaningful resolution. My advice: never volunteer when Qatar Airways overbooks a flight. The promised compensation isn't worth trusting.