Longtime Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker recently resigned, which caught many people off guard, given that he had been CEO of the airline for 27 years. Al Baker has been replaced by Badr Mohammed Al Meer, who shared a new vision for the airline as he took on his new role. Specifically, he promised a new era at the airline, “in which a culture of trust and empowerment will be the building blocks of our shared success.”
Many wondered if that was just an empty promise, or if we’d actually see changes at the airline. Well, it appears that the latter is the case…
Qatar Airways ends cabin crew curfew in Doha
As reported by a Fly Guy’s Cabin Crew Lounge, Qatar Airways has just discontinued one of its most controversial policies impacting employees. Qatar Airways cabin crew live in company housing in Doha, and historically they’ve been subject to a curfew while there.
Under the old policy, they always had to be in their accommodation from 4AM until 7AM, even on days off. Furthermore, they had to be in their accommodation 12 hours before a trip.
That policy has finally changed. Qatar Airways has lifted the 4AM until 7AM curfew, and now only requires crews to be in their accommodations starting nine hours before they start a trip.
This is a massive quality of life improvement for many Qatar Airways employees. The 4AM until 7AM curfew was simply absurd. I mean, Qatar Airways operates flights all hours of the day and night, and as you’d expect, employees are often jetlagged.
For that matter, many people just like to get up early. For example, I get up before 5AM every day (without an alarm), so it’s illogical to have a policy whereby someone can’t go out for a morning jog at 6:30AM, but can go out for cocktails at 2AM.
Let’s hope this is the first of many changes
When people apply to become flight attendants at Middle Eastern carriers, they almost always first apply for Emirates, then Etihad, and then Qatar Airways (followed by carriers like Oman Air, Gulf Air, Saudia, etc.).
A large part of that is the much freer working conditions at Emirates. Qatar Airways already made some progress in the past. For example, several years back the airline changed its policy around pregnancy and marriage, as previously you’d be fired if you became pregnant or married without permission.
At this point, the curfew policy was one of the most controversial ones. Hopefully Qatar Airways now considers changing its social media policy, because I know that’s something that a lot of employees care about as well.
I’m really impressed to see that there’s substance to the promised changes at Qatar Airways, so here’s to hoping that this is the first of many. This could push Qatar Airways to the next level, as the airline will be able to do a better job of hiring and retaining talent.
Bottom line
Qatar Airways has ended its ridiculous cabin crew curfew, whereby crews had to be in their accommodations in Doha every day from 4AM until 7AM. Qatar Airways’ new CEO has promised a new era for the airline built on trust, and this is an important move in the right direction. Qatar Airways’ new CEO has the opportunity to greatly improve morale at the airline, so hopefully he seizes that opportunity.
What do you make of Qatar Airways ending its cabin crew curfew?
Membership is free and takes no more information than commenting as a guest. Earn status points for good contributions, and see fewer ads as your status grows.