Qatar Airways Premium Economy:
Is the Comfort Class Upgrade Worth It?

Qatar Airways has expanded its Premium Economy "Comfort Class" across more long-haul routes, offering travelers a compelling middle ground between Economy and Business Class. After extensive testing on the airline's A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft, we've analyzed whether this premium product delivers enough value to justify the upgrade cost.

Qatar Airways Comfort Class: What You Get

Seat & Cabin Features

  • 38-inch pitch (7-10 inches more than Economy)
  • 19.5-inch width (wider than most competitors)
  • 8-inch recline with footrest and leg support
  • 1-2-1 configuration on A350s (best for couples/solos)
  • Noise-reducing headphones included

Service & Amenities

✔ Premium dining with restaurant-style service
✔ Enhanced amenity kit with Argan Oil products
✔ Priority boarding and luggage handling
✔ Double baggage allowance (2x 35kg)
✔ Dedicated cabin crew for personalized attention

Comfort Class vs. Economy: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Price Comparison

RouteEconomyPremium Economy% IncreaseDoha-London | $800 | $1,500 | +87%
Doha-Sydney | $1,200 | $2,100 | +75%
Doha-New York | $900 | $1,700 | +89%

Value Assessment

  1. For Overnight Flights: Worthwhile for the improved sleep experience
  2. Daytime Flights: More debatable unless working onboard
  3. Tall Travelers: Significant legroom benefit
  4. Frequent Flyers: Good mileage earning potential

How It Compares to Competitors

AirlineSeat PitchWidthPrice PremiumBest FeatureQatar Airways | 38" | 19.5" | 75-90% | 1-2-1 configuration
Singapore Airlines | 38" | 19.5" | 60-80% | Book the Cook dining
Emirates | 40" | 19.5" | 80-110% | Premium bar access
Qantas | 38" | 19" | 70-85% | Australian wines

Best Routes for Comfort Class Experience

  1. Doha to Sydney/Melbourne (14+ hours - most benefit)
  2. Doha to Los Angeles (16 hours - great for sleep)
  3. Doha to London (7 hours - good daytime product)
  4. Doha to Cape Town (10 hours - scenic views)

Frequent Flyer Benefits

  • 30% more Qmiles earned than Economy
  • Tier credits count toward higher status
  • Upgrade opportunities using Qmiles
  • Lounge access when connecting to Business

What Travelers Are Saying

"The footrest and recline made a huge difference on my Doha-Sydney flight - arrived feeling human." - Mark T., frequent flyer

"Not quite Business Class, but the privacy in the 1-2-1 configuration comes close." - Sarah L., travel blogger

Booking Tips

  1. Watch for Sales: Occasional 20% discounts
  2. Bid for Upgrade: Often available at check-in
  3. Choose Seats Early: First row has most legroom
  4. Combine with Stopovers: Free Qatar stopover program

Final Verdict

Qatar Airways Premium Economy delivers a noticeable upgrade from Economy, particularly on ultra-long-haul routes. While not as transformative as Business Class, it offers meaningful comfort improvements that can make long flights significantly more enjoyable.

Best For:

  • Travelers wanting more space without Business Class prices
  • Those taking overnight flights to/from Australia
  • Passengers who value premium service touches

Consider Economy If:

  • Flying short daytime routes
  • Extremely price sensitive
  • Planning to sleep through entire flight

For current routes and to experience Comfort Class, visit Qatar Airways' official website or read Executive Traveller's cabin review.

PrestigeFly Verdict: One of the better premium economy products globally - worth the splurge for flights over 10 hours. ✈️💺