Why Airlines Like Emirates Could Never Reduce The Quality Of Their Services

There is no doubt that the big three Middle Eastern legacy carriers (Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways) offer some of the most luxurious premium cabins in the skies. From business class cabins that offer double-bed arrangements to fully private suites, Middle Eastern carriers are almost in a league of their own when it comes to quality and comfort. Even their cheapest level of service - economy class - is often a much higher quality than the long-haul economy classes of other airlines.

Our Social Media:
Our Website

[Petriefied]

Isn't this exactly the same issue that the various ocean liner companies had in the 1930s? Their ships had to be bigger, faster and more luxurious than the competitors.

[sainnt]

As an aviation enthusiast, the journey is everry bit as important as the destination, so I'll take a stopover every time. I've taken advantage of stoppers offered by Etihad and Turkish Airlines, and both were pretty amazing!

[matsism]

I love the stop over at the Hamad International Airport in Doha Qatar. 2–4 hours in the pool and then food at the Al Mourjan lounge make me ready for the next flight.

[Rasscasse]

I think one of the big differences is how they treat people in economy.
British Airways might do nice premium, but their economy offering leaves a lot to be desired compared to the Middle Eastern carriers. The seating density is like something of a low-cost carrier in economy.
This is not something you would expect of a legacy carrier on long haul.
You only have to look how British Airways layout the cabins on the 350 compared to the Middle East carriers .

[Old.Man.Of.The.Mountain]

4:25.. there are other reasons besides longer flying times as to why passengers would want to avoid Air India.

[SIW]

For any transatlantic flight I always use either Qatar Airways or Emirates. The level service they provide is so good for the price you are paying. And to be honest, I absolutely enjoy the layover in Doha

[stradivarioushardhiantz]

Currently most Airlines compete on providing Busines Suite products

[MaxPower-]

It should be noted that while the ME3 have some disadvantages compared to say flag carriers from Western countries, they do have a couple of advantages over them in terms of operational costs which partially offsets the extra cost they face by providing a higher level of customer experience. First, the ME3 have ready access to the lowest cost fuel (and which is a domestic product of the countries they are based in). Second, they tend to source their cabin crews and ground hub personnel from poorer countries and therefore enjoy lower labor costs. As such, they don’t have to deal with the high labor and fringe benefits costs and have to negotiate with flight attendants’ unions like say British Airways or Delta do.

[liranavitan]

there are two main factors regarding this question - time and money. How much time the connection will be and the price ticket. If the price is cheaper than direct flight and if the connection is less than 2 hours, it can be a good and better alternative.

[fritskleinenhammans]

Being Amsterdam based I much prefer a 1 stop AF flight instead of the nonstop KL flight, when flying long haul. Because of the better service, and the extra xp on Flying Blue is a welcome bonus. Win win for me.

[vijaygautam]

I have flown from Etihad and Qatar Airways, and I can vouch that their flights from the US to their respective Middle-Eastern hub, viz. Abu Dhabi and Doha, respectively, were top-class. They fly new planes that always appear fresh and new, with comfortable seatings and nice service. My Etihad flight from Chicago to Abu Dhabi flew an Airbus A-350 that was less than a year old.
Their onward flight to India from that Middle-East hub wasn't so good though. Planes were relatively older, and were not as well-maintained as their US counterparts.

[eamonahern]

Hypothetical scenario. If I could, I'd go back to Zambia. I'd have to change anyway flying out of Dublin. If I was to go by Heathrow I'd need to go somewhere like Johannesburg to Livingstone, Lusaka or Ndola, depending on which part of Zambia I'd be going to because BA don't do flights to Zambia anymore, as far as I'm aware. That would require 3 flights to get to Zambia and I don't know how long between each flight. If I was to go with Emirates I'd have a layover of 8h 45m in Dubai but I'd be in Zambia in 2 flights. I think Simple Flying did a video on accommodation being available for long layovers, so that'd take the sting off the wait. My choice of these two options would ultimately depend on how close my ultimate destination is to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN).

[sundragon]

I am old enough to remember when flying was a pleasurable experience when sitting in any class. (I miss that period of US aviation history.) If I were to fly to the Middle East for that bucket list trip, I would fly on a Middle Eastern carrier instead of a "cattle car" with wings.

[alvarogan]

You’re so right, if we have to stop somewhere I would choose a Middle Eastern airline if the price isn’t too high from other stop overs.

[skyoverzurich]

I really enjoyed this video … thank you for posting it! For pax like me, I stay loyal to the alliance (in my case, Star Alliance), so I’d stick with connecting in ZRH with LX J or FRA/MUC LH J … *but* that’s the beauty of it … so many offerings for all of the different preferences !! I subscribed so I can watch more of your posts. Thanks again and travel well !! Bob in SAT

[OVTraveller]

An interesting analysis which is more applicable to European travellers than Australian flyers. From a personal perspective, my spouse and I have flown from Melbourne to LHR on a Qantas B 787 and return in J and enjoyed it immensely. However on a trip to San Sebastián with Qatar via Doha and Madrid, the on board amenities on the B 777 were fabulous. Returning from Paris on an A 350 with access to the lounge at CDG at 6 am, followed by the lounges at Doha and Singapore were superb. Option to fly one direct route with Qantas does come at a premium and future Operation Sunrise flights will similarly come at a significantly higher ticket cost. So, for this regular traveller, a code share Qantas/ Emirates return journey to and from Europe is the ticket with a great metal service in the A 380 and the Middle Eastern on board cosseting all the way.

[davidbourne]

I’m a bit of an Emirates fan. Never had a problem with them and as a Silver FF member get some good perks. The business class is not as fab on the 777s but it is easier to upgrade to it on points

[dougpatterson]

I’m a western Canadian with family in Switzerland. I’ve flown to Switzerland 4 times in my life and I preferred the time I had connecting flights in eastern Canada; Toronto on the way over, Montreal coming home. It takes longer but was nicer as I didn’t have as long on a single plane. 7 hours vs 10+. I hope to visit Australia as my next major journey and I hope to fly through the Middle East.

[iampianoman]

With any international trip I make, so far only for pleasure, I first have to fly to a hub with such international routes. Given that, I try to stick with the same airline from start to finish, or a partner airline if my first airline does not fly to my destination, so that I deal with as few airlines as possible if there is a hiccup in my journey, such as a delayed flight resulting in a missed connection.

[cabottaxi]

Just used Emirates from UK to Indian Ocean . Chose them because they used the 380. Next holiday with Qatar to similar direction because they are using the 350. Hopefully they don't disappoint as the connecting flight is nearly 5 hours on a Qatar 320.