If my inbox is any indication, morale among Qatar Airways employees isn’t very high right now…
In this post:
Qatar Airways won’t offer staff bonuses due to instability
A few days ago, Qatar Airways released its results for the past financial year, which ran from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. During this financial year, Qatar Airways achieved excellent results, with a profit of nearly $2 billion. The airline nearly achieved a record profit, though of course the last several weeks of the financial year threw things off, given the conflict with Iran.
In the past three years, Qatar Airways has offered its roughly 60,000 staff pretty decent bonuses. However, this year the airline has informed employees in a memo that there won’t be any bonuses. This is because the geopolitical situation in the region is continuing to “significantly affect” the airline, so the lack of bonuses is a decision that “prioritises long-term stability.”
As you’d expect, staff aren’t too happy about this:
- The airline achieved very strong results the past financial year, so employees should be rewarded for their efforts contributing to that
- The airline basically wants it both ways — it thinks it shouldn’t pay bonuses both when the financial results aren’t good, and also when the results are good but the forecast doesn’t look good
- Keep in mind a lot of Qatar Airways staff have also been earning less money in recent times, given that they’re all flying less (pay is a combination of base pay plus hours flown), so I imagine this also puts many employees in a tough financial spot
- In the US we often talk about how airline losses are socialized, and airline gains are privatized (given how airlines inevitably get government aid for a variety of reasons); this is sort of the opposite, where they’re “socializing” the gains and “privatizing” the losses (except those “parties” are a little different than in the US)
It’s worth noting that Emirates recently released its financial results, which resulted in the airline paying staff a bonus worth 20 weeks of their basic pay. Emirates has quickly become one of the most generous airlines in the industry when it comes to profit sharing.
I understand the frustration of Qatar Airways staff
In fairness to Qatar Airways, it’s not like the airline has a profit sharing formula, but instead, the airline can do whatever it wants (it’s not like there are unions at Gulf airlines). Historically, the airline hasn’t really offered staff bonuses.
However, Emirates has in recent years been offering staff absolutely massive bonuses, often approaching half of their annual base pay. So it seems that competitively, Qatar Airways felt it had to do something as well, even if the bonuses were only a fraction as big as we saw at Emirates.
I have to say, with Qatar Airways having recently appointed a new CEO, I imagine this also doesn’t create a very favorable impression of him (unlike the previous CEO, who was very popular with employees).
Not surprisingly, there’s also an order in which prospective employees typically apply at Gulf carriers — Emirates is almost always the first choice, then Etihad, then Qatar Airways, then Gulf Air and Oman Air, then Saudia, then a lot of the limited service carriers, etc.
While a tangent, we’re also now seeing the launch of Riyadh Air, and it seems they’ve managed to get many people to leave other Gulf carriers, including Emirates and Etihad, to work there. I think that’s due to how well the airline is marketing itself, and also because people are excited at the prospect of being at the top of the seniority system.
Bottom line
Qatar Airways has reported strong financial results for the past year, but unlike previous years, the airline has told employees that there will be no profit sharing for the year. Admittedly Gulf carriers are in a very tough spot at the moment, but I also think the frustration among employees is understandable, given that they worked for the company’s strong financial results.
Qatar Airways is essentially arguing it can’t pay bonuses due to its negative outlook, rather than due to performance not having been good. With Gulf rivals like Emirates paying bonuses worth months of pay, that can’t feel great for Qatar Airways employees.
What do you make of Qatar Airways’ lack of bonuses? Is it fair in light of the negative outlook, or no?
First of all, the fiscal year was April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026. The “geopolitical climate” didn’t shift until February 28, 2026. That is one month out of twelve QR made a profit of 1.94 billion and didn’t care to reward their employees. As one of the leading airlines in the Gulf, they act like they are going bankrupt. They should share the profits with the employees who helped them be profitable
Im
Still waiting for my Refound for my 3 canceled flights. Its been 9weeks now
I work in a senior managerial capacity at Qatar Airways. I can’t use my real name nor state what my role is as it goes against the social media policy. At a time where the vast majority of employees in the organisation have delivered well beyond expectations, worked significant hours and made enormous personal sacrifices, I find it utterly disgraceful and shameful the company has made this decision. I have never witnessed our teams so...
I work in a senior managerial capacity at Qatar Airways. I can’t use my real name nor state what my role is as it goes against the social media policy. At a time where the vast majority of employees in the organisation have delivered well beyond expectations, worked significant hours and made enormous personal sacrifices, I find it utterly disgraceful and shameful the company has made this decision. I have never witnessed our teams so upset, angry and disincentivised. It is heartbreaking to witness. This decision will lead to meaningful action; we will lose the investment and interest of our amazingly talented teams - and I suppose, will lose them to competitors in weeks to come too. The C-Suite has no idea how damaging this decision has been and serve to be in the months ahead.
Thank you for articulating your concerns about this situation. One is ever hopeful that common sense and accountability will prevail, also that those responsible for this drama will reverse their ill judged decision soon.
Well, for the flying crew, the airline is going through a tough time navigating the airspace restrictions. And, all employees know that, in the long run QA offers one of the better remunerations out there. I say "take one for the team" or go looking for so-called greener pastures.
As most are aware this would be very impactful to the crew who are subsidising their families at home, I’m sure they were counting on a substantial bonus to support them - disappointing
Did they really make two billion in profit when they’re burning cash by the minute and being subsidized
It's a very bad look for Qatar Airways given:
(1) Emirates just paid huge bonuses to their employees a few months earlier, and
(2) Qatar reported great earning for the year as well.
Qatar management could and should have paid *some* kind of bonus to their employees, even if was reduced from the previous year (citing the impact and uncertainty brought about by the war with Iran). But giving them nothing is the...
It's a very bad look for Qatar Airways given:
(1) Emirates just paid huge bonuses to their employees a few months earlier, and
(2) Qatar reported great earning for the year as well.
Qatar management could and should have paid *some* kind of bonus to their employees, even if was reduced from the previous year (citing the impact and uncertainty brought about by the war with Iran). But giving them nothing is the equivalent of telling their staff "Like it or leave it"/"My way or the highway" and this message obviously isn't going over well.
Seems like they are learning from their shareholding in Virgin Australia.
Virgin Australia paid Jayne Hrdlicka $50m (old CEO), David Emerson $25m (new CEO). Meanwhile staff got pay freezes, mass redundancies and no bonuses
Now the employees can commiserate with passengers about getting Qatar'd
I’ve run businesses since 1973 with the firm policy of investing in people. This is crazy stuff
Foreign workers are a disposable commodity in Qatar. For every disgruntled, exploited worker who jumps ship, there are one hundred bright-eyed hopefuls waiting for a chance at their big break. If you live in North America, Australia, or Switzerland it might seem like an odd choice to go running off to Qatar in pursuit of a dream, but if you lived in Kosovo, Russia, or Nigeria, you might just see it as the opportunity of...
Foreign workers are a disposable commodity in Qatar. For every disgruntled, exploited worker who jumps ship, there are one hundred bright-eyed hopefuls waiting for a chance at their big break. If you live in North America, Australia, or Switzerland it might seem like an odd choice to go running off to Qatar in pursuit of a dream, but if you lived in Kosovo, Russia, or Nigeria, you might just see it as the opportunity of a lifetime. The Qataris will be happy to hire you, wring every last drop of humanity out of you as they profit from your hard labor, then throw you away like an old peanut shell when you’ve either outlived your usefulness, or had the temerity to voice dissatisfaction with what they consider generous employment conditions that are more than sufficient for someone like you.
They've always been a terrible company to work for. I don't know why anyone is surprised. If you're not a Qatari citizen you're considered to be the scum of the earth, fit only for exploitation.
Sorry if this is interpreted as rude, but in my impression Qatar cabin crew are generally those who couldn’t get a job with Etihad who in turn are those who couldn’t get a job with Emirates (given living in Dubai > Abu Dhabi > Doha). Moral has never been great as a result so I’m not sure this makes as much difference as it would elsewhere.
I do agree Qatar Airways has peaked as suggested...
Sorry if this is interpreted as rude, but in my impression Qatar cabin crew are generally those who couldn’t get a job with Etihad who in turn are those who couldn’t get a job with Emirates (given living in Dubai > Abu Dhabi > Doha). Moral has never been great as a result so I’m not sure this makes as much difference as it would elsewhere.
I do agree Qatar Airways has peaked as suggested below and they are now focused on the wrong things (Starlink alongside cost cutting and raising prices).
Tom, one can understand how easy it is for some commentators to fall into bed with the know-nothing-neigh-sayers, but really, it takes so little research effort to prove them wrong.
The easiest way of course is to take several flights with QR and make up your own mind from your experiences. If that is out of the question then it is easy and cheap to engage in a little serious research.
Failing those...
Tom, one can understand how easy it is for some commentators to fall into bed with the know-nothing-neigh-sayers, but really, it takes so little research effort to prove them wrong.
The easiest way of course is to take several flights with QR and make up your own mind from your experiences. If that is out of the question then it is easy and cheap to engage in a little serious research.
Failing those two things one is best advised to ‘wind one’s neck in’ to save yourself the embarrassment of looking foolish like Walter Mitty-Dunn …. Yes?
know-nothing-neigh-sayers? Hahh i worked in the airline for several years. You are the know-nothing guy in my eyes. Crazy to see you running PR for them just because you've taken some flights lol.
Which ULCC allowed you to work for the ExQR?
Oh! I get it now, QR sacked you so now you are bad mouthing their passengers …. and you wonder why they showed you the Exit door …. :-)
hah, no one sacked me, I resigned. And so happy that I did. But no point arguing with you, considering your seemingly parasocial relationship with QR.
TikTok speak only serves to enhance your complete lack of credibility Ex. You would be best advised to drop your “Seemingly parasocial relationship” with TikTok as it could well be responsible for your demise old sock …. Yes?
God, you’re tedious. I have flow Qatar business and first over 100 times at this point for reference (unlike you, presumably) but would rather avoid them these days, the decline is obvious.
“Tedious” as one might be described by some, at least one is not boastful, darlink.
Qatar Airlines have been acknowledged as the World’s Best Airline no less the nine times to date. They have been included in the top ten every year for the past fifteen years. Someone who “Would rather avoid them these days” must have serious personal problems, yes?
Qatar are a crap airline that pretends to be great, much like its airport. But Im sure they will keep getting skytrrax airport of the year lol
Good luck getting any sort of customer service if you encounter and issue.
Well blow me down with a feather?
Yet another typical proletariat post from someone who is unlikely to have ever set foot onto anything other than an ULCC.
“Good luck getting any sort of customer service if you encounter and issue” on your favourite ULCC.
““Good luck getting any sort of customer service if you encounter and issue” on your favourite ULCC“ - just like Qatar then.
Qatar Airways has turned into an airline for people who buy Louis Vuitton luggage (which is not meant as a compliment, if that’s not clear).
Attempting to ridicule anyone who might own LV luggage, displays a profound jealousy and weakens any argument about the subject airline.
You poor, poor unfortunate Walmart case carrier …. Xxxxx
Thank you for shinning more light on the situation Ben! One more thing worth mentioning is that the airline greatly increased overtime compensation threshold from 1000 flying hours per year to 1150. This repsresents yet another monetary loss for the crew. The relationship between the crew and the airline are so bad that most have already decided to do the bare minimum when it comes to service and work. So don't be surprised when you...
Thank you for shinning more light on the situation Ben! One more thing worth mentioning is that the airline greatly increased overtime compensation threshold from 1000 flying hours per year to 1150. This repsresents yet another monetary loss for the crew. The relationship between the crew and the airline are so bad that most have already decided to do the bare minimum when it comes to service and work. So don't be surprised when you see the quality onboard decline. You cannot expect overworked and disrespected employees to put their heart in what they do and only the management is to blame for that.
Can't wait to see QR being reduced to a regional carrier. Rubbish airline in essence.
Only someone who has never flown QR would dream of displaying such ignorance on this website …. Yes, sunny daisy?
It's disgusting afterall the Qatar staff have been working during dangerous and dire circumstances with minimal pay and they are the face of Qatar, not their CEO!! What a bad taste it leaves in one's mouth and one can only imagine how that saddens & demotivates the very staff who got them to this profit margin! Shame on Qatar Airways
Someone missed what happened at the last world cup.
What this article misses is that, there have been pay benefits or offsets provided to QA staff for working during this airspace situation. But, you cannot cut the goose which lays the golden egg. Talk about being ungrateful. And, with all the price pressure on other airlines due to this war, i'd like to see any takers for these distraught spoiled-rotten whining bludgers.
Qatar has a high PRASM / TRASM and low CASM! I'm going to book on THEM from now on!
The Iran conflict will be resolved one way or another but the Gulf airlines all have to compete for a similar labor pool.
Paying more and taking care of your employees when things are bad is what separates well-run airlines from the rest.
But Tim, QSuite, shiny lounge, diptyque, all you can eat… Qatar, the shiny gay hunting object of desire, until the rubber hits the road. Anyhow, onto the next product review.
Walter Mitty-Dunn, you would be best advised to stick to commenting about Delta Airlines, a subject which you think that you have some knowledge of. From the few words which you have posted above, it is abundantly obvious that you know absolutely nothing about the Gulf airlines or their labour force.
Or maybe QR employees aren’t that different from any others.
And DL since you mentioned it does recognize that taking care of their employees keeps them taking care of their customers
Walter, to aid you in your understanding of World Class Gulf Airlines, please be aware of the following. Gulf airlines, including QR, are overwhelmingly staffed by an international workforces. Some, i.e. Gulf News, reports up to 75-78% of employees are expats. Most airlines however do have targeted programs to increase local employment.
QR relies heavily on expatriate employees from (some believe) over 100. nationalities. Pilots, cabin crew, engineering technicians, airport staff and customer service teams...
Walter, to aid you in your understanding of World Class Gulf Airlines, please be aware of the following. Gulf airlines, including QR, are overwhelmingly staffed by an international workforces. Some, i.e. Gulf News, reports up to 75-78% of employees are expats. Most airlines however do have targeted programs to increase local employment.
QR relies heavily on expatriate employees from (some believe) over 100. nationalities. Pilots, cabin crew, engineering technicians, airport staff and customer service teams are overwhelmingly expats.
One suspects that no U.S. Airline, including DL, can claim such diversity. Could that be why no U.S. Airline is recognised as being a World Class Airline, again one suspects so.
Tone deaf fluff once again Tim.
People are fighting over some holy land for millenias. Long before airplanes even existed. Sure it'll resolve itself eventually. But for another how many millennia?
Just look at how much self inflicted conflict after just a semiquincentennial can set you back.
You think Iran will be resolved soon?
Having money to operate is what separates airlines from bankruptcy.
Employer operating is what separates being employed from unemployment.
It may make for happier employees, but it obviously doesn't make for a better airline. Qatar's offering makes Delta's look like a joke. Plus, Qatar can apparently operate on schedule, something Delta no longer does.
It seems like Qatar Airways peaked around the 2022 world cup with a decline in the quality of service since then.
This is probably driven by a desire to turn the airline from a soft power projection tool that breaks even into a profit generator.
This can be seen in the cost cutting seen in the soft product, the lack of investment in retrofitting older products or the refusal to risk losses to...
It seems like Qatar Airways peaked around the 2022 world cup with a decline in the quality of service since then.
This is probably driven by a desire to turn the airline from a soft power projection tool that breaks even into a profit generator.
This can be seen in the cost cutting seen in the soft product, the lack of investment in retrofitting older products or the refusal to risk losses to maintain employee morale, and with it product quality.
I wouldn't be surprised if the issues people have noticed (not proactively offering second meal services, a refusal to stick to dine on demand etc.) become more commonplace as the airline has shown that it is willing to decouple success from employee compensation.
Time will tell if this inaction will comeback to bite QR in the current financial years figures. Either way, they will without doubt, still be a World Class Airline at the top of its game!
I suspect this would go over a bit better if there were a commitment to pay once the crisis passed, but this isn't "just" a random economic slowdown.
Basically, 2025 was a record year but Qatar (the country) is probably facing a serious financial crisis in a way that the UAE has diversified away from (they're far more dependent on oil vs tourism and so on).
Qatar: a nation known for putting its labor force and their working conditions first
Particularly those assigned herding the camels .
What a dumb comment (as always) from Alert.
Of course it’s always going to be a popular narrative to side with the front-line staff over the airline management when it comes to pay and bonuses… and doubly so when it’s this kind of headline number..
that said, to me, I can see a point of QR in that RIGHT NOW, the picture is less than clear and outlook cloudy - therefore a motivation to hold onto cash going forward… I can see that.....
Of course it’s always going to be a popular narrative to side with the front-line staff over the airline management when it comes to pay and bonuses… and doubly so when it’s this kind of headline number..
that said, to me, I can see a point of QR in that RIGHT NOW, the picture is less than clear and outlook cloudy - therefore a motivation to hold onto cash going forward… I can see that..
The other thing that crosses my mind is that there’s little NEED for QR to pay out bonuses. Sure, EK tends to get the first nod when it comes to potential crew and their applications.. but in the end, there seems to be a decent supply of applicants that show up at each crew recruitment event .. and that to me kind of means QR doesn’t NEED to pay out bonuses - they’ll still get enough applicants coming in to keep themselves fully staffed.
Would paying bonuses help getting higher or better applicants? sure. I don’t think it would hurt.. but again, I think QR has made that calculation about the benefits of holding the cash versus any possible upside through paying bonuses.
if EK tends to get the first nod when it comes to potential crew and their applications, why do they pay massive bonuses?
You might be putting the cart before the horse.
The high bonuses currently offered will be one of the reasons why they're everyone's first choice. If you want to continue this, and have a motivated staff, you'll want to continue to pay high bonuses.
rain ... definitely motivates the executives .
Airline executives are known for hauling in money from fares and fees , especially from twisted , back-breaking , congested business class fares , serving girl food .
Well, when the airline in question made $2 billion in profit, of course people will naturally side with the front-line staff who helped the airline make those profits.