Compare / QR vs SQ
Qatar Airways vs Singapore Airlines
Two very different offers for the same job. Here is what actually separates Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines for cabin crew — pay, roster, rules and who each one suits.
Qatar Airways
QR · Doha
7.7
crew score
Singapore Airlines
SQ · Singapore
8.0
crew score
Choose Qatar Airways if…
- ✓Starting pay is higher — about 9% more per month
- ✓Income is tax-free, so the headline figure is what you keep
- ✓Company housing removes rent from your monthly costs
- ✓Faster progression (career 8.2 vs 7.5)
- ✓Bigger network: ~170 destinations vs ~75
Choose Singapore Airlines if…
- ✓Kinder roster (7.0 vs 6.6)
- ✓Better layovers and lifestyle (8.4 vs 7.8)
- ✓Easier life at base (8.2 vs 7.6)
Side by side
| Qatar Airways | Singapore Airlines | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry pay / month | $2,500-$3,300 | $2,400-$2,900 |
| Senior pay / month | $3,600-$5,000 | $4,400-$5,600 |
| Tax-free | Yes | No |
| Housing | Company housing | Not provided |
| Base | Doha | Singapore |
| Type | Full-service | Full-service |
| Fleet | ~250 | ~145 |
| Destinations | ~170 | ~75 |
| Alliance | oneworld | Star Alliance |
| Minimum age | 21 | 18 |
| Reach / height | 212 cm reach | 158 cm |
| Visible tattoos | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Language beyond English | None required | None required |
Crew scores compared
Qatar Airways
Singapore Airlines
Apply
Qatar Airways
Continuous recruitment with Open Days and invitation-only events worldwide through 2026 as the network and A321neo/777X fleet grow.
Singapore Airlines
Regular recruitment rounds in Singapore plus periodic drives in Malaysia and around the region through 2026 as the network and A350/777-9 fleet grow.
Still torn? Let the data decide.
Tax-free money or home every night? Fast promotion or a calm roster? Seven questions, ranked against pay, lifestyle, career and hiring data.
Frequently asked questions
Does Qatar Airways or Singapore Airlines pay cabin crew more?
Qatar Airways pays more at entry level: about $2,500-$3,300 a month against $2,400-$2,900. Remember to weigh tax status and housing before comparing headline figures.
Which is easier to get into, Qatar Airways or Singapore Airlines?
Qatar Airways is actively hiring (Continuous recruitment with Open Days and invitation-only events worldwide through 2026 as the network and A321neo/777X fleet grow.) while Singapore Airlines is actively hiring (Regular recruitment rounds in Singapore plus periodic drives in Malaysia and around the region through 2026 as the network and A350/777-9 fleet grow.) Requirements differ too — check both requirement pages before deciding where to spend your effort.
Qatar Airways or Singapore Airlines — which is better for a first cabin crew job?
Singapore Airlines scores higher overall in our index (8.0 vs 7.7), but "better" depends on what you want: money, roster, promotion speed or where you live. The reasons listed above split it by priority.