Get comfy with Qatar Airways’ Comfort+ premium economy

Some Qatar Airways flights offer the comfort of premium economy seating.

By David Flynn, February 3 2025
Get comfy with Qatar Airways’ Comfort+ premium economy

While Qatar Airways has new business class and first class suites on the way, the airline has steadfastly resisted launching premium economy, unlike Gulf rivals Emirates and, from later this year, Riyadh Air.

So you may be surprised to learn that on selected QR flights, the airline actually does offer premium economy seating, in its own cabin at the front of economy and behind business class.

Qatar Airways calls this Comfort+, and it can be booked on certain aircraft for an additional fee over your economy fare.

(How much extra depends on the route: between Doha and most European cities it’s around €150.)

Qatar Airways sells Cathay Pacific's 777 premium economy as Comfort+ seats.
Qatar Airways sells Cathay Pacific's 777 premium economy as Comfort+ seats.

Qatar Airways Comfort+ premium economy are most commonly seen on a number of Boeing 777s which were once flown by Cathay Pacific and Virgin Australia, and have been leased by Qatar Airways to make up for ongoing delays in receiving new jets from Airbus and Boeing.

On the former Cathay Pacific 777s flown by Qatar Airways, booking Comfort+ puts you into what was Cathay’s premium economy cabin.

Qatar Airways sells Cathay Pacific's 777 premium economy as Comfort+ seats.
Qatar Airways sells Cathay Pacific's 777 premium economy as Comfort+ seats.

These seats are arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, instead of 3-4-3 in the economy cabin, so they’re ideal for couples to sit together by the window.

Qatar Airways sells Cathay Pacific's 777 premium economy as Comfort+ seats.
Qatar Airways sells Cathay Pacific's 777 premium economy as Comfort+ seats.

Passengers in Qatar Airways’ Comfort+ premium economy enjoy more legroom – the ‘pitch’ is a generous 38”, compared to just 32” in economy.

Qatar Airways sells Cathay Pacific's 777 premium economy as Comfort+ seats.
Qatar Airways sells Cathay Pacific's 777 premium economy as Comfort+ seats.

The well-padded seat itself is also wider than its economy counterpart – 19.5” vs 18.5” – with a deeper 8” recline, a larger 10.6” video screen, and a decent legrest.

Qatar Airways sells Cathay Pacific's 777 premium economy as Comfort+ seats.
Qatar Airways sells Cathay Pacific's 777 premium economy as Comfort+ seats.

It’s a pretty similar setup on the ex-Virgin Australia 777s, with the 19.5"-wide seats in a 2-4-2 layout but set at a very generous 41" pitch and fronted by a 10.6" screen.

Qatar Airways sells Virgin Australia's 777 premium economy as Comfort+ seats.
Qatar Airways sells Virgin Australia's 777 premium economy as Comfort+ seats.

As you’d imagine, this all adds to a much more comfortable experience than being in a standard economy seat.

However, this seat is the only part of the premium economy experience you’ll get on board Qatar Airways. Meals, drinks, and service are all identical to economy class.

That’s different to the many other airlines which have rolled out premium economy as a true uplift from economy, with better meals and drinks from a bespoke premium economy menu, a dedicated cabin crew, upgraded pillows and blankets and even amenity kits.

Also read: Qatar Airways offers a free ‘Qsuite Guarantee’

24 Aug 2011

Total posts 1235

If you manage to snag an ex-VA 77W, the Comfort+ seat has a huge 41" pitch.  Very few Premium Economy seats have that much legroom.

QF

11 Jul 2014

Total posts 1028

Flight time to London from Qatar is around 7 hours while Qatar to Sydney is around 14 hours. The point is I'd be happy with Business Sydney to Qatar and Comfort Plus Qatar to London if the price was right. SQ for example is close to 8 hours Sydney to Singapore and Singapore to London 14 plus hours so it's more a Business Business Class trip.

AYP
AYP

28 Oct 2020

Total posts 7

I flew QR963 on 26 Jan, and according to the FA it was an ex Virgin Australia B777; he explained the difference between it and the CX layout, something about a Bar location. Yes the seat pitch was remarkable.

Hello, do have someone photo comfort+? because I can't find is footrest or not. I found some photo,where maybe only in first line? ....I go from Doha to Phuket. thank you so much

On the former Cathay Pacific 777s with premium economy, the first row of Comfort+ seats has a big padded legrest that swings up from the front of the seat. All the rows behind it have a smaller legrest that swings down from below the seat in front, you can see a photo of that in this article. So all the seats have a legrest but the first row of Comfort+ on these CX 777s has a much better legrest.

Thank you so much, So I changed for first line just now. This is what about I was not sure, thank you


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