Qatar's airport and airline set global standards for luxury and taste

The world's best airport welcomes travelers with a giant teddy bear sculpture and invites them to taste wagyu beef at one of its dozens of restaurants. Meanwhile, the world's best airline ensures the culinary satisfaction of tourists by offering an indulgent feast onboard. I checked out what both have to offer and was amazed several times.

According to the annual rankings published by the British consulting firm Skytrax, Hamad International Airport in Qatar and Qatar Airways have been proclaimed the best airport and airline in the world. With such an honor comes their highest standards, an abundance of luxury, and, in the case of the airport, a certain sensory overload. I checked out how much money one needs to afford a symbolic coffee and cake at the Qatari airport and what the world's number one airline offers during a flight.

Hamad International Airport in Qatar is known for its ultramodern design, luxury shops, and well-equipped hotel. This is the third time the airport has topped the rankings of the world's most modern airports—previously, it reached the highest position in 2022 and 2021.

Under the roof of the Qatari airport, we find everything and more. The shopping and dining area covers about 431,000 square feet and has over 180 shops and restaurants. There’s plenty of choice, as tourists can find street food stalls and luxury restaurant spots serving global cuisines. Additionally, there are shops and boutiques, cafes, and patisseries, where the snacks you’ve hunted down can be enjoyed in a tropical garden. All under one roof, of course.

If you want to spend a lot, you can. Just take a look at the menu of the first restaurant you come across. A wagyu beef sandwich (wagyu beef is one of the world's most expensive and luxurious types of meat) with mushrooms, caramelized onions, and Parmesan costs 155 Qatari riyals, or roughly $43. At the same place, you can have an English breakfast for $26 and sip on a luxurious tea from the British brand Harrods for $65.

However, it should be noted that Hamad Airport is not just about luxury and opulence, although that is its main focus. There are also more modest venues, though I should put that adjective in quotation marks. Nevertheless, a few minutes walk is enough to find yourself among venues offering delicious sandwiches, croissants, salads, and other reasonably priced options.

A large baguette with brie cheese, turkey, and cranberry costs $12, and a chocolate muffin is $6. The price of a fruit salad is $7. The vegetable salad with salmon and cherry tomatoes is $8. A croissant with ham and cheese costs $9, and a quarter pizza ranges from $9 to $11. At a coffee to-go point, a small black coffee (americano) is $5, and a large one is $6. A 12 oz bottle of Coca-Cola costs $5, and a small 17 oz bottle of water costs the same.

A yogurt dessert with granola and fruits, sold in a plastic cup, costs $7. Next to it is a ready meal consisting of grilled chicken and couscous for $14. Yes, these are still considerable amounts, especially since we are dealing with meals from boxes, but such is the charm of airports. Past the security checkpoints, basic products come at a premium. Not to mention the luxurious ones, for which there is no price limit.

Hamad International Airport is also the headquarters of the national flagship carrier Qatar Airways. In 2024, the airline was named the best in the world for the eighth time.

I enjoyed traveling with this airline (in economy class). Since both flights lasted over six hours, a snack and one hot meal were included in the ticket price, along with unlimited beverages, including alcoholic ones. I didn't know what to expect from the meals served in the airplane cabin because I had never experienced such service before. But without any exaggeration, I can say that I did not expect such a feast.

After taking off from Bangkok airport, we were offered a small rice snack. You could also request any drink. It was a small package of salty, crispy snacks. Those disappointed by the portion did not have to wait long for a follow-up, as soon the cabin was filled with the pleasant aroma of reheated food.

The flight attendants informed each passenger about the available options: Hungarian goulash with potatoes, chicken in curry sauce, and a vegetarian option. I missed the details of the last one, or perhaps I wasn't paying attention because I immediately asked for the goulash. And it turned out to be a bullseye. The well-seasoned, intensely meaty sauce, tender beef, tasty carrots with peas, and simple yet satisfying potato casserole made the long flight enjoyable. The portion was also sufficient, at least for me (and I don't eat like a bird).

The tray also included dessert, a piece of warm focaccia, and a fantastic salad with crunchy shallots and apples, creamy red beans in a salty fish sauce. The dessert, in my “favorites” catalog, ranked high. Creamy pudding, light and delicate, was topped with creamy milk chocolate and genuine chocolate.

The next flight started with a classic triangular sandwich, but since I'm not a fan of toast bread, I ate the sandwich and forgot about it as soon as I swallowed the last bite. I arrived in the morning, so a warm meal was served for breakfast. There were also several options to choose from, including a frittata, omelet, and sausages with sides.

I chose the first option and was not disappointed. The vegetable frittata was fluffy and delicate. Next to it, on a dollop of intensely aromatic and heavily tomato sauce, was a delicious, slightly crispy roasted sausage. Additionally, there was a vegetable casserole with delicious creamy sauce, in which the non-rubbery forest mushrooms were dipped.

The tray was filled with a small fruit salad made of juicy melon and watermelon, lightly sweet coconut chia pudding, and a somewhat tired croissant with a mini pack of jam. It was quite heavy for the morning but manageable for those willing. I requested a cup of black coffee with my breakfast, but it didn’t win me over. It's not that it was bad. It just had minimal flavor.

I couldn't complain because both lunch and breakfast, in my opinion, were perfectly seasoned, and the portions were enough for most people. Even such a long flight goes by pleasantly if you are looking forward to eating something not only warm and filling but also delicious.