- Mr Plane Guy
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Qatar Airways Food & Menu Guide: What You Really Get in Economy vs Business Class
By Mr Plane Guy, Travel Blogger, Flight Expert & Plane Geek
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this blog running (and funds my habit of ordering extra champagne at 35,000 feet).
Qatar Airways has a reputation for serving some of the best airline food in the sky, but is it actually that good, and does it live up to the hype in Economy Class, or only once you’re sipping champagne in Business Class?
I’ve flown Qatar Airways multiple times in both cabins, eaten my way through their inflight menus, and photographed more trays than I’d like to admit. In this guide, I’ll break down Qatar Airways food, meals, and menus honestly, what you can expect in Economy vs Business Class, how the food differs by route, and whether the catering alone is worth paying extra for. Plane Honest verdict incoming.
Qatar Airways Economy Class Food: What to Expect
Let’s start where most people sit: Economy Class.
Qatar Airways economy food is generally a step above the global airline average, especially on long-haul routes. Meals are included on all full-service Qatar flights, with menus that usually reflect a mix of international dishes and regional Middle Eastern flavours.
Here’s what you can typically expect in Economy:
A hot main meal service with sides and dessert
Complimentary soft drinks, tea, coffee, and juices
Alcoholic drinks included
A lighter second meal or snack on longer sectors
On my last Qatar Airways economy flight, I was handed a tiny bag of salted snacks that were offensively salty, like they’d been designed to sell more drinks. Speaking of drinks, I ordered a gin and tonic and watched it get free-poured into oblivion. I’m talking 90% gin, 10% tonic. Undrinkable. She had one job.
This is economy class, after all, drinks come off a trolley at speed. It’s exactly why those little miniature bottles actually work better at 35,000 feet. Same measure every time, no surprises, and you can still taste the tonic.
Example Economy Meal (long-haul)
Qatar Airways’ Economy Class catering is solid, but it’s important to set expectations. You’re getting proper hot meals, not luxury dining. On long-haul flights, you can typically expect two meal services.
Main Meal Service (After Take-Off)
Starter
Side salad with dressing or a small starter portion
Bread roll with butter
Main Course (one of the following options)
Chicken with rice or potatoes and vegetables
Beef or lamb with spiced rice or mash
Vegetarian pasta or curry option
Meals are usually Middle Eastern or international-inspired, mildly spiced, and designed to taste decent at altitude.
Dessert
Chocolate mousse, cake or fruit
The quality is generally consistent, though presentation is still very much airline-tray standard, this is Economy, not a restaurant in the sky.
Qatar Airways Economy Breakfast & Second Meal Service
Breakfast and second meal services are where airlines often cut corners, typical options include:
Hot breakfast choices
Cold items such as yoghurt, fruit, or pastries
A choice between Western and regional-inspired options (route-dependent)
Calzone or a Hot wrap
Example Breakfast Tray
Is it life-changing? No. Is it better than many European carriers? Absolutely.
On a recent flight departing Doha at around 0100 (Doha to Zanzibar more details of this full review of Qatar Economy flight) a soggy sandwich was served after take off, this was followed by a hot breakfast around 2 hours before landing.
Plane Tip: Download an Audible book before boarding, in-flight Wi-Fi won’t stream Spotify, but audiobooks work offline. Audible for Travel turns every layover into a first-class story time, and right now you can start listening for just 99p.
Qatar Airways Business Class Menu: À La Carte Dining in the Sky
This is where Qatar Airways really flexes.
In Business Class, Qatar offers dine-on-demand, meaning you can order from the menu whenever you like, rather than being locked into a single service time. Menus are more extensive, presentation is noticeably elevated, and the wine list is, PLANE excellent.
Business Class dining usually includes:
An à la carte menu
Multiple starters, mains, and desserts
Premium wines, champagne, and spirits
Restaurant-style plating (by airline standards)
The ability to pace your meal around sleep
Example Business Class Menu:
Starters
Cream of celeriac soup with dill labneh
Classic Arabic mezze with pita bread
Dill-marinated tiger prawn and paprika scallop
Main Courses
Grilled Black Angus beef fillet with herb jus
Qatari hamour mashkool with spiced yoghurt
Chicken cordon bleu with country-style mash
Fregula Sarda risotto with parmesan cream
Cheese
Selection of international cheeses Served with crackers and accompaniments
Sweet Finale
Chocolate brownie with hot fudge sauce
Seasonal fresh fruit
Bakery
Rustic baguette
Sun-dried tomato and parmesan roll
Nut and oat rye, served with extra virgin olive oils and infused butters
The difference between Economy and Business food isn’t just what’s on the plate, it’s how and when it’s served.
Qatar Airways Business Class Wine & Drinks Selection
Qatar Airways takes its wine seriously, especially in premium cabins.
Business Class typically features:
Champagne service
A curated international wine list
Premium spirits and cocktails
Proper glassware (no plastic cups in sight)
Champagne usually includes two distinct styles, giving passengers a real choice rather than a single default pour:
Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve (France) Rich and complex, with brioche notes, ripe fruit and depth you don’t often find onboard. A very serious champagne for the sky.
Duval-Leroy Rosé Prestige Premier Cru (France) Lighter, fresher and more aromatic, with red berry notes and crisp acidity. Ideal if you prefer something less heavy at altitude.
Plane Honest note: Champagne labels can vary by route and season, but Qatar consistently stays in the premium bracket.
This is one of the strongest inflight drink offerings you’ll find outside of First Class.
Example Wine List: Here’s an example of the kind of wines you’ll typically see onboard, based on recent Qatar Airways Business Class menus.
Red Wines
Riddoch Coonawarra Shiraz 2022 (Australia) Full-bodied, dark fruit-driven and well suited to red meat dishes. A robust choice that holds up well at altitude.
MacMurray Estate Pinot Noir 2021 (USA – Central Coast) Lighter, more elegant, with red berry notes and softer tannins. A good option if you’re eating poultry or vegetarian dishes.
White Wines
Qatar usually balances the reds with:
A premium Chardonnay (often Old World–leaning)
A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or aromatic white, chosen for freshness at altitude
Dessert wines or fortified options may appear on longer routes or in select rotations.
If you’re weighing up whether Business Class is worth the upgrade, prices can vary hugely by route and timing.
Economy vs Business Class Food: Is It Really That Different?
Short answer: yes, but not for everyone.
Here’s the honest breakdown:
Economy Class: Better than average
Business Class: More choice, better presentation, total flexibility
The biggest upgrade isn’t necessarily the food quality itself, it’s the dine-on-demand experience, portion sizes, and the ability to eat when you want, not when the cabin lights come on.
Business Class genuinely delivers. If you’re just looking for a decent meal to get you through a long flight, Economy won’t disappoint.
Thinking of flying Qatar Airways?
If the food, service and overall experience sound like your kind of flight, you can check current Qatar Airways fares, routes and cabin options directly on their website.
Does Qatar Airways Food Vary by Route?
Yes, and this is often overlooked.
Menus can differ depending on:
Departure airport
Destination region
Catering base (Doha vs outstations)
Flight duration
Special Meals on Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways offers a wide range of special meals, including vegetarian, vegan, halal-compliant (standard), and medical or dietary options.
Special meals should be pre-ordered in advance and are usually consistent across cabins, though presentation and portion size differ between Economy and Business.
Behind the Scenes: How Qatar Airways Prepares Its Inflight Meals
This behind-the-scenes video offers a fascinating look at how Qatar Airways prepares food for thousands of daily flights through Doha.
Watching this explains a lot about why Qatar’s catering tends to feel more polished than many competitors.
Doha Airport & Lounge Food: The Experience Continues on the Ground
If you’re connecting through Doha, the food experience doesn’t stop onboard.
Qatar’s premium lounges at Hamad International Airport offer:
Full hot meals
À la carte dining in premium lounges
High-quality buffet spreads
Excellent coffee and dessert options
I’ve covered Doha airport and its lounges in detail here:
Even if you’re not flying Business Class, a Priority Pass can unlock lounge food and drinks during long Doha connections.
👉 Exclusive Offer Sign up for Priority Pass and save 30% today!
Pack Smart, Luxury Luggage for Less
Your suitcase says a lot about your travel style. My personal rotation:
Rimowa Cabin Plus sleek, durable, designer
Briggs & Riley Baseline expandable genius for long hauls
But here’s my affordable dupe:
looks high-end, fits Virgin and Qatar cabin dimensions, and costs a fraction of designer brands.
Pair it with noise-cancelling headphones, and you’ll look first-class in any queue.
Final Boarding Call: Is Qatar Airways Food Worth the Hype?
Qatar Airways earns its reputation when it comes to inflight catering.
Economy Class: Consistently good, above average
Business Class: One of the best dining experiences in the sky
Overall: Reliable, polished, and rarely disappointing
You won’t book a Qatar flight just for the food, but you’ll definitely remember it once you’re onboard.
Plane Related Blogs:
How I Traveled Business Class on Qatar Airways for Less Than £250
24 Hours in Doha: A Guide to Making the Most of Your Stopover
Is the Plaza Premium Lounge at Heathrow T4 Worth the Hype? Find out HERE
Why W Hotel Doha Should be Your Next Stylish Stay in Qatar: Hotel Review
24 Hours in Doha: A Guide to Making the Most of Your Stopover
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading Qatar Airways Food & Menu Guide: What You Really Get in Economy vs Business Class.
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