Qatar Airways and Etihad: A Showdown of Widebody Fleets

Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways are engaged in a competitive race across the skies, both leveraging their strategic positions in the Middle East for long-haul flights to destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. With a strong emphasis on widebody aircraft, the two airlines are reshaping premium air travel. While it’s challenging to declare a definitive winner in this contest, key metrics reveal significant differences between their fleets.

Qatar Airways boasts a substantial fleet of 212 widebody jets, significantly outpacing Etihad’s 76 aircraft, which includes 61 Boeing and 15 Airbus models. This size advantage implies not only greater capacity but also potential for higher profitability. With an impressive backlog of 289 ordered widebody aircraft, Qatar Airways is poised for continued growth. In contrast, Etihad’s order sheet, totaling 71 aircraft, indicates a smaller scale of operations.

Fleet Age and Modernization

While size matters, the age and technology of the fleets cannot be overlooked. Qatar Airways operates a mix of older models, including a substantial number of A330s and various Boeing 777 variants, which have been reliable workhorses for the airline. In contrast, Etihad’s fleet is generally younger, particularly its Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Despite the aging fleet, Qatar has demonstrated its capability to maintain operational efficiency. As stated by aviation expert Josh Eyre from Simple Flying, the 777-300ER remains a cornerstone of Qatar’s long-haul services due to its reliability and profitability. The table below outlines the current widebody Boeing fleets of both carriers:

Aircraft variant | Qatar Airways | Etihad Airways
——————|—————|—————-
777-200F | 28 | 5
777-200LR | 6 | 0
777-300ER | 56 | 9
787-8 | 31 | 0
787-9 | 24 | 37
787-10 | 10 | 0
Total | 135 | 61

Notably, Etihad has retired its fleet of 777-200LRs, while Qatar continues to operate its older models. The average age of Etihad’s remaining 777-300ERs is over 14 years, suggesting that further retirements may be imminent.

Comparative Offerings and Layover Packages

Both airlines provide attractive stopover packages in their respective hubs, Doha and Abu Dhabi, which enhance the travel experience for layover passengers. Qatar Airways offers the Qatar Stopover, allowing travelers layover durations from 12 to 96 hours, with hotel packages ranging from $76 to $348 for four nights. This includes options for tours and cultural experiences, making it a valuable proposition for those traveling through Doha.

Etihad’s Abu Dhabi stopover similarly includes a complimentary two-night stay at well-known hotel chains, along with discounts on local attractions and a free local SIM card, adding further value for travelers.

As the competition intensifies, both airlines remain committed to modernizing their fleets. Qatar Airways has made significant strides in reducing its older Airbus A330 fleet, while Etihad focuses on expanding its A321LR operations. The commitment to robust order sheets indicates confidence in future growth and operational capabilities.

The following table compares the current widebody Airbus fleets of the two carriers:

Aircraft variant | Qatar Airways | Etihad Airways
——————|—————|—————-
A330-200 | 3 | 0
A330-300 | 10 | 0
A350-1000 | 25 | 8
A350-900 | 33 | 0
A380-800 | 7 | 7
Total | 77 | 15

Etihad’s investment in younger aircraft, particularly the A350-1000, which averages just 3.6 years old, positions it favorably against Qatar’s slightly older fleet of A350s.

Looking ahead, both Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways have extensive orders for future aircraft, suggesting a commitment to maintaining and expanding their widebody fleets. Qatar has ordered more A350-1000s, while Etihad aims to enhance its cargo capabilities with 10 A350 freighters.

The competitive dynamics between these two airlines illustrate the evolving landscape of international aviation. As they continue to expand and modernize their fleets, passengers can expect a range of options tailored to their travel needs, all set against the backdrop of the vibrant Middle Eastern aviation market.