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FlightLogic is an independent, advertising-supported information service that lets you compare airlines, airports, hotels, and travel products. We do not provide financial advice and we do not recommend specific products or providers. Links marked * are advertising links and may earn us commission at no extra cost to you — always read the terms of any product before booking or applying. Learn more about how we make money.

British Airways vs Qatar Airways

Side-by-side policy and rating comparison — baggage, Wi-Fi, legroom, lounges, and loyalty programmes.

Verdict

Qatar Airways scores higher on FlightLogic at 9.0/10 vs 7.7/10 for British Airways. Policy comparison below covers cabin baggage, checked bags, Wi-Fi, and seat pitch.

Comparison data last updated 6 July 2026

Policy comparison

Structured operational tokens — verify current fare rules on each airline before booking.

Policy British Airways Qatar Airways
Cabin baggage IncludedIncluded
Checked baggage Not on Basic; 1×23 kg on standard long-haul23–32 kg by cabin (Economy 23 kg)
In-flight Wi-Fi PaidPartial (messaging/select routes)
Economy seat pitch 30–31"32"
Loyalty programme Executive Club (Avios)Privilege Club (Avios)
Lounge access Galleries / Concorde Room for Club World/First and BA GoldAl Mourjan / Al Safwa at DOH; oneworld Emerald
Changes & refunds Basic non-refundable; standard fares change fee + differenceFlexible on published fares; fee + difference on restricted tickets

Individual profiles

British Airways

BA · United Kingdom

Expert Editorial Review

FlightLogic score: 7.7/10

Qatar Airways

QR · Qatar

Expert Editorial Review

FlightLogic score: 9.0/10

Editorial profiles

United Kingdom · BA/BAW · #1 in this comparison

British Airways

To Fly. To Serve.

#9 Global 4-Star
7.7 / 10
Quick Answer

British Airways scores 7.7/10 on FlightLogic (safety 9.1/10), ranking #9 globally. verified in-flight Wi-Fi averages 5 Mbps on measured routes. Catering: Special meals (VGML, MOML, NFML) ordered 24h ahead — reliable on long-haul; short-haul buy-on-board limited

Is British Airways a good airline?

British Airways scores 7.7/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic, ranking #9 globally with a safety score of 9.1/10. British Airways is the UK's flag carrier and oneworld founding member, operating roughly 280 aircraft from its London Heathrow Terminal 5 fortress hub to 200+ destinations worldwide. Long-haul Club Suite business class — with direct aisle access, closing doors, and full plated dining — has transformed BA's premium product and now competes credibly with Virgin Upper Class and US carrier suites on transatlantic routes. Short-haul Euro Traveller remains dated, and operational punctuality trails European rivals, but for UK-based Avios collectors BA's Heathrow dominance, Reward Flight Saver pricing, and credit card ecosystem make it the default loyalty programme. See full profile →

Overall 7.7 Very Good
Safety 9.1 Excellent Safety
Service 7.8 Cabin crew & ground
Value 7.0 Fare vs product
Star rating 4★ FlightLogic tier
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology

Score breakdown

Customer Service
7.8
Seat Comfort
8.4
Food & Beverage
7.5
In-Flight Entertainment
7.8
On-Time Performance
7.5
Value for Money
7.0

Key facts

Hub
London Heathrow (LHR)
Alliance
oneworld
Founded
1974
Fleet
280 aircraft
Region
europe
IATA / ICAO
BA / BAW

Passenger policies

Cabin baggage Included — standard carry-on allowance applies
Checked baggage Not on Basic; 1×23 kg on standard long-haul
In-flight Wi-Fi Paid Wi-Fi or messaging packages
Economy seat pitch 30–31"
Lounge access Galleries / Concorde Room for Club World/First and BA Gold
Changes & refunds Basic non-refundable; standard fares change fee + difference
Loyalty programme Executive Club (Avios)

Strengths

  • Club Suite business class with direct aisle access and privacy doors on most long-haul widebodies
  • Concorde Room and Galleries lounges at Heathrow T5 — among the UK's best ground experiences
  • Avios loyalty programme with Reward Flight Saver, household accounts, and strong UK credit card earn
  • Unmatched London Heathrow connectivity across oneworld and partner airlines

Weaknesses

  • Short-haul Euro Traveller uses buy-on-board catering on many European routes
  • High carrier-imposed surcharges on long-haul Avios redemptions reduce reward flight value
  • Heathrow T5 congestion and occasional ATC-related delays affect punctuality scores

Awards & recognition

  • Best Business Class Club Suite
  • Best UK Full-Service Carrier

Qatar · QR/QTR · #2 in this comparison

Qatar Airways

World's Best Airline 2025

#1 Global 5-Star
9.0 / 10
Quick Answer

Qatar Airways scores 9.0/10 on FlightLogic (safety 9.8/10), ranking #1 globally. verified in-flight Wi-Fi averages 8 Mbps on measured routes. Catering: Halal standard on all routes; vegan and no-pork bespoke menus pre-ordered 24h ahead with high success on LHR–DOH

Is Qatar Airways a good airline?

Qatar Airways scores 9.0/10 (Exceptional) on FlightLogic, ranking #1 globally with a safety score of 9.8/10. Qatar Airways leads global rankings with exceptional Qsuite business class, award-winning cabin crew, and a modern widebody fleet serving 170+ destinations. See full profile →

Overall 9.0 Exceptional
Safety 9.8 Maximum Safety
Service 9.4 Cabin crew & ground
Value 8.5 Fare vs product
Star rating 5★ FlightLogic tier
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology

Score breakdown

Customer Service
9.4
Seat Comfort
9.2
Food & Beverage
9.0
In-Flight Entertainment
9.1
On-Time Performance
8.8
Value for Money
8.5

Key facts

Hub
Hamad International (DOH)
Alliance
oneworld
Founded
1993
Fleet
250 aircraft
Region
middle east
IATA / ICAO
QR / QTR

Passenger policies

Cabin baggage Included — standard carry-on allowance applies
Checked baggage 23–32 kg by cabin (Economy 23 kg)
In-flight Wi-Fi Partial — free messaging or select routes/cabins only
Economy seat pitch 32"
Lounge access Al Mourjan / Al Safwa at DOH; oneworld Emerald
Changes & refunds Flexible on published fares; fee + difference on restricted tickets
Loyalty programme Privilege Club (Avios)

Strengths

  • Qsuite business class with doors
  • Al Mourjan lounge at DOH
  • Excellent long-haul catering

Weaknesses

  • Economy density on some A320s
  • Occasional DOH connection delays

Awards & recognition

  • World's Best Airline 2025
  • Best Business Class
  • Best Airline in Middle East

FAQ

Which is better — British Airways or Qatar Airways?

Qatar Airways scores higher on FlightLogic at 9.0/10 vs 7.7/10 for British Airways. Policy comparison below covers cabin baggage, checked bags, Wi-Fi, and seat pitch.

Does British Airways or Qatar Airways include a carry-on bag?

British Airways: Included. Qatar Airways: Included.

Which has free Wi-Fi — British Airways or Qatar Airways?

British Airways: Paid. Qatar Airways: Partial (messaging/select routes).

Does British Airways include checked baggage?

British Airways checked baggage: Not on Basic; 1×23 kg on standard long-haul.

Does Qatar Airways include checked baggage?

Qatar Airways checked baggage: 23–32 kg by cabin (Economy 23 kg).