Emirates vs Qatar vs Etihad
The ME3 - Who has the BEST First Class?
As a Middle East based frequent flyer, I often use the ME3 (Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad) on my travels. One question I have often been asked is;
Who do you prefer and who is the best?
I have had the good fortune to sample all of the First Class Product Offerings from the ME3 carriers and have decided to write a comprehensive review to compare them all.
In the below section, I will break down the review of their First Class Product into the following categories:
- Chauffeur Service
- First Class Lounge
- Airport Services
- First Class Suite
- In-flight Service
- First Class Dining
- First Class Bathroom
- Onboard Bar
- In-flight entertainment and Wifi
- Overall and My verdict
The rankings are based on my own extensive air travel experiences and preferences.
I do not receive any benefit/goodwill/commission by compiling this list.
All photography in this post is by Sam Chui
Chauffeur Service
Winner: Emirates and Etihad
Both Etihad and Emirates offer complimentary chauffeur-driven airport transfers for their First Class passengers in a limousine car, while this is not the case with Qatar Airways. The free chauffeur drive is definitely a plus for any traveller, avoiding the trouble of having to arrange pre and post flight transportation.
Both carriers extended chauffeur driven service to award tickets. (Emirates only allow chauffeur driven service ticketed with Emirates, not with their partners such as Alaska Airlines, while Etihad allow chauffeur driven service from partners awards such as American Airlines)
First Class Lounge
Winner: Qatar Airways
It is extremely hard to pick a winner in this category; all 3 airlines offer an extremely high standard and spacious First Class Lounge for their guest.
I have further broken down this category into: Lounge Comfort, Dining, Amenities and Accessibility.
The Emirates First Class lounge at Dubai is massive in scale; it is essentially a luxury concourse occupying the floor above the whole concourse. Emirates have 3 large First Class Lounges in Dubai one in each of the concourses (A, B and C) it operates. The space is so huge that it somewhat lacks an exclusive, upscale ambience. Facilities are great though, with duty free luxury shops, a fine dining area, a wine cellar, an old-fashioned cigar room, and – a unique airport feature I like the most – direct boarding access from the lounge that connected to most gates.
For more details please read my full review of the Emirates First Class Lounge here.
Emirates First Class ticket holder receive complimentary spa treatment.
The Qatar Airways First Class Lounge at Doha is named Al Safwa First Class Lounge.
This lounge was opened in October 2015.
You can see a full review here.
Upon entering the lounge, the soaring ceiling immediately takes your breath away...
The lounge’s artwork and minimalist design create the ambience of a modern art museum that will impress even the most discerning frequent flyers and travellers alike. There are waterfalls on the walls and an impressive water fountain as the centerpiece of the lounge.
It is extremely spacious with amazing facilities such as restaurant style dining, a pay to use elegant spa, hotel style day rooms and family area.
I really enjoyed the fine dining in the restaurant and that an Etihad food and beverage manager serves you personally with his/her recommendation. The menu also features an exclusive Emirates Palace Dining which features Emirati Local Cuisine.
Airport Services
Winner: Qatar Airways
This is an area that largely depends on your own travel experience.
All 3 carriers offer an exclusive area for First Class check-in and formality.
I personally found Qatar Airways ground staff to be the most diligent, hardworking bunch and that they deserve an award. On many occasions they have ensured I met my flight connections in Doha when my arrival flight had been delayed; they also provide a personal escort to take you directly to their First Class Lounge after your arrival on a Qatar Airways First Class flight.
I have also noticed that Qatar Airways flights are usually the most punctual out of all 3 carriers on a regular basis.
First Class Suite
Winner: Etihad Airways
I have to admit, there's nothing that comes close to The First Class Apartment on The Etihad A380
More than just a seat, The First Class Apartment has a large leather armchair and a separate bed. There is even space to walk around after closing the privacy doors.
Seeing is believing...
Looking a great seat for lounging and socializing?
The Qatar Airways First Class seat features an open design and it is a great seat for lounging and dining together when traveling as a pair. The padding is great and makes the seat very comfortable.
It has a really large dimension and there is a wall divider which allows added privacy.
The Emirates’ First Class seat was revolutionary when it was introduced a decade ago, but it’s design is now somewhat surpassed by its competitors.
The suite can be fully closed with two sliding doors to create a complete private space. There are a few fancy features including: your own mini bar, a table lamp and in-seat massage function.
I have to admit, I am actually a fan of the gold trim and glossy wood décor. It certainly adds to the Middle East Flavour of the cabin.
We are awaiting their new generation First Class Suite that Emirates announced last year.
In-flight Service
Winner: Qatar Airways and Etihad
This is a very subjective area on how you perceive good service. All 3 airlines employ a large international multi-culture and multi-lingual crew. I must say I have never received any bad service on any of my First Class Flights with the ME3. As a frequent flyer, I look at consistency on the service delivery. Qatar Airways are very highly regarded in terms of their consistency of services. They're nicknamed the Singapore Airlines of the Middle East!
Etihad has certainly tried very hard in improving their in-flight service. On their A380 flight they have a dedicated chef for First Class and The Residence and they also have a food and beverage manager.
First Class Dining
Winner: Etihad
All three airlines offer excellent food in their First Class and you can order your meals from an a la carte menu, in any order, at any time on demand.
Etihad is the only airline that offers an in-flight chef and a food and beverage manager, so naturally they shine in the area of dining. They have certainly elevated in-flight dining to the standard of dining in a fine dining restaurant, with amazing presentation and serve some famous restaurant inspired cuisine.
I also love the fact that both Qatar and Emirates still serve Caviar as a starter. This is a timeless tradition that I enjoy a lot.
First Class Bathroom
Winner: Emirates
Emirates and Etihad both offer shower facilities for their First Class Passengers.
Emirates have two shower rooms (they called it Shower and Spa!) in the very front of the A380 upper deck. They're huge and they offer up to 10 minutes of shower time.
Etihad features one shower room in the forward lavatory and another shower room as part of the private bathroom exclusively for The Residence Passenger.
Qatar Airways do not have any shower facilities, however they do place some beautiful Roses in their bathroom as display. I particularly love their brand choice of toiletries "Rituals".
Onboard Bar
Winner: Qatar Airways
All 3 airlines feature lavish on-board bars on their flagship A380 aircraft.
Qatar Airways features a stunning on-board bar located behind business class. The bar itself is curved and has leather sofas on both sides of the bar area. The bar is decorated with swanky chandeliers and super roses (they can last several weeks on-board!)
Emirates were the first airline to offer the on-board bar concept.
Their on-board bar is located at the rear of the upper cabin, behind the Business Class cabin, and it’s a hub of activity throughout the flight.
Etihad Airways has installed a lounge, designated ‘The Lobby’, on the upper deck of their A380 between the First and Business Class Cabins. It seats up to six guests and is fitted with: seatbelts, power supply, connectivity ports, and a widescreen TV.
In-flight entertainment and Wifi
Winner: Emirates
All three airlines have installed excellent on-board IFE and Wi-Fi on their planes.
Emirates are the winners when it comes to the in-flight entertainment product. You just can't beat their ICE!
Emirates currently offer free Wi-Fi for first 10MB across all travel classes.
Qatar Airways offer free Wi-Fi for their First Class Passengers.
My Verdict
Overall Winner: Etihad
Out of all the categories, Emirates won 2, Qatar won 4 and Etihad won 5!
It is really hard to beat Etihad's First Class Apartment in-flight experience on their A380. There has been nothing like it in the past and it is raising the bar of First Class Travel to ground breaking heights.
Having said that, all 3 Middle East Gulf carriers remain extremely competitive, constantly challenge each other and they are raising the bar to benefit their passengers. It will remain interesting to see what will come next from all the competition!
Below is a selection of my latest reviews and offerings from the ME3.
Do you agree with my preference? Who is the best of ME3 for you?
I'd love to read your comments below!
Sam’s Travel Hacks
