Embarassing fish odor in checked-in luggage! (Qatar Airways)

Member Name: Kris Palamel

Product:	Qatar Airways
Date:	03/07/08 (172 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: On-time, good staff, value for money

Disadvantages: bad food, warm beer, no customer service really

EWR-DOH-TRV return economy in June '08. Aircrafts were almost new and immaculately clean. Arrived on time both directions. Food on return direction was really bad, however the warm beer(only Heineken available) was substituted with a slightly colder version on the return trip! Flight staff was good and attentive though. However on arrival at Newark, found both the checked-in bags emanating strong fish odor, apparently from the bags being loaded alongwith fish cargo from TRV on the popular Gulf route to Doha. Being tired and mostly embarassed, passed thru customs in a hurry to the waiting car and called the airlines to complain about it. Customer service gave a baggage handling service number at Newark airport, but no one ever answered my calls nor the fax. Finally today got one who told me nothing can be done about my bags since it wasn't lost or damaged except for fish odor! They didnt care about my loss. Due to fishy water seeping in, I had to throw out some contents of the bags including special foods, clothes and souvenirs. After keeping the emptied bags in the basement and outside to dry to no avail, I have to trash both bags now at a considerable cost. Overall I would rate the airline average to poor, certainly not the claimed "5-star" category. Due to their negligence and apathy, I would not take Qatar airways again.

Summary: Avoid at all costs