I genuinely expected so much better…
I genuinely expected so much better from Qatar Airways, an airline recognised as one of the best in the world. Unfortunately, the way I was treated by the cabin crew was extremely disappointing and, frankly, unacceptable. Compared to my experiences with Singapore Airlines, the difference in service and hospitality was astonishing.
The cabin crew I encountered were rude, unwelcoming, and lacked basic courtesy when responding to simple questions. I understand that everyone can have a bad day, but when you work in the service industry, professionalism and basic respect towards passengers should be a minimum standard.
One particularly unpleasant experience occurred when I asked for milk. The air stewardess responded coldly, saying something along the lines of, “We don't have milk, but I will give you milk,” followed by a chuckle. I initially did not hear her clearly, so I politely asked her to repeat herself. Instead of responding patiently, her tone became even more unpleasant, and her facial expressions made me feel as though I had done something wrong simply by asking a question. When explaining the menu options, she spoke very quickly and chuckled again, accompanied by facial expressions that came across as dismissive and condescending.
Another incident occurred when the crew were serving snacks and drinks. I politely asked whether I could dispose of my previous plastic cup, and another staff member responded unhappily that I could not because there was no rubbish bag. The issue was not that they could not accommodate my request. I would have understood perfectly well if they had simply explained the situation politely. It was the attitude and manner in which they communicated that made the experience so unpleasant.
**The problem was never about not getting what I asked for. It was about how I was treated when I asked.** I am not expecting special treatment or for every request to be accommodated. I simply expect basic courtesy, respectful communication, and a welcoming attitude from the people representing the airline.
What made this experience particularly frustrating was the contrast between Qatar Airways' reputation and the actual hospitality I received. Singapore Airlines has given me far better experiences in terms of how its cabin crew communicate with and treat passengers. Good service is not just about serving meals and drinks. It is also about making passengers feel respected and comfortable throughout their journey.
Qatar Airways seriously needs to review its cabin crew's approach to customer service and provide further training in hospitality, communication, and professionalism. A prestigious reputation means very little if passengers are made to feel unwelcome over the simplest questions.
Personally, this experience has made me think twice about flying with Qatar Airways again. **If you are considering booking Qatar Airways based on its reputation alone, I would encourage you to think carefully and consider your alternatives.** My experience with Singapore Airlines has been significantly better, and I would much rather fly with an airline where basic courtesy is not something passengers have to hope for.
An airline can be world-renowned, but that does not excuse rude behaviour from its staff. This was a thoroughly disappointing experience, and I hope Qatar Airways takes feedback like this seriously.
And just to be clear, this is not a promotion for Singapore Airlines. I’m simply sharing my genuine experience. If you want to understand the difference in service for yourself, you can book a flight and experience it firsthand. Sometimes, you really have to experience it yourself to understand what I mean. 🙂