55min QR-QR transit at DOH - feasible ?

[Nizar]

Hi,

I made a booking for some friends of mine CMN-DOH-MEL all on the one PNR and both legs in J.
The flight from CMN arrives in Doha at 23:55 and the flight to MEL leaves at 00:50. Bags of course should be checked all the way through.

I heard that the new Hamad International Airport is massive and also that 11pm-1am is a peak time for flight departures so with that in mind - Can they comfortably make this connection ?
Any time to check out the famed Al-Mourjan lounge ?

If the incoming arrives late what steps will QR take to ensure they make this connection ? Will they meet them at the gate and escort them to the plane etc ?

What happens if they misconnect ?

Would appreciate any thoughts, comments and advice.

 

[vetrade]

Having been screwed a multitude of times by late arrivals by a variety of airlines I would not risk a 55 min connection anywhere or anytime. Too many variables that can go wrong - even a slight delay in arrival in DOH will see your friends missing their connection - and then there's the transfer of luggage as well.

DOH is very busy at that time of night - even the huge J lounge is usually heavily patronised at that time. Book them an earlier flight and let them spend 2 -3 hours in the lounge - they can have showers and there's an excellent variety of food. It's one of the best lounges they will experience so it's worth letting them enjoy it.
In the event of a late arrival QR is unlikely to hold up the departing flight unless there's a lot of pax connecting.

 

[docjames]

The challenge is more the consequence of the missed connection. Next flight from DOH-MEL is 24hrs later (unless the end up with some awful series of connecting flights). So whilst it is apparently "allowed" (having been allowed to book it on one pnr), is there a better inbound option that allows a longer connection?

 

[Nizar]

Thanks guys. The problem is there is only one flight per day from CMN and one flight a day to MEL.

So it's either 55min or an entire day (and a bit) in transit. They are not particularly against spending a day exploring Doha but the problem lies here.

The ticket was booked through AA and AA do not allow stop overs of more than 24 hours. Sorry I mean they would allow it but they would price it as two awards so Africa-Middle East then Middle East-South Pacific.

So while the current booking cost them 50k AA miles per person, giving them a >24hr transit would substantially increase the price to 85k AA miles per person.

So that is not really an option.

What is QR likely to provide in the event of a missed connection ? Accommodation ?

 

[vetrade]

QR at DOH are very good with their customer service so, yes, if your friends missed the connection I'd be confident they would get accommodation organised and a meal voucher.

Can I ask what date your friends are travelling? Not doubting your info but today's QR flight from CMN - DOH arrives in DOH at 8.20pm. I know schedules can vary but when QR has only one (or 2) flights per day between 2 cities they usually run at the same time each day like clockwork.

 

[Dr Ralph]

55 mins is not long enough. 90 mins minimum recommended.

 

[Nizar]

QR at DOH are very good with their customer service so, yes, if your friends missed the connection I'd be confident they would get accommodation organised and a meal voucher.

Can I ask what date your friends are travelling? Not doubting your info but today's QR flight from CMN - DOH arrives in DOH at 8.20pm. I know schedules can vary but when QR has only one (or 2) flights per day between 2 cities they usually run at the same time each day like clockwork.

They are travelling in late Jan as per the attachment

 

[Nizar]

55 mins is not long enough. 90 mins minimum recommended.

90 mins is the minimum recommended by whom ?

QR seem to think that 45min is OK.

I have a short connection, is this enough time to make my connecting flight? – Qatar Airways Support

 

[Boca68]

90 mins is the minimum recommended by whom ?

QR seem to think that 45min is OK.

I have a short connection, is this enough time to make my connecting flight? – Qatar Airways Support

45 mins or even 55 mins is ok in a perfect world. Frequent airline travel tells me that this is quite often not the case. Yes, Qatar, will come to the party with accom and "maybe" a meal voucher. But the inconvience of a 24 hour delay is worth more than that.

Nizar, as you say there is only one direct flight from CMN to DOH each day and it leaves at 14:00, I'd seriously look at other options. Plenty of earlier flights from CMN to BCN, MAD or CDG, as examples only. With a few minutes research, sure you could find more. Make a connection there to DOH, arriving with hours to spare.

Trust me, 55 minutes your on a knifes' edge. And totally forget about Al-Mourjan. You just might get to see the sign to the door as you run by to make the connection.

 

[YSSY]

If your friends have flexibility and wouldn't mind a 24 hour stopover courtesy of QR in the unlikely event they missed their connection, then all is good. Personally, I'd go for the 55 minute connection and accept the consequences. I think 55 minutes is more then enough for them to make the connection on a good day.

 

[Nizar]

If your friends have flexibility and wouldn't mind a 24 hour stopover courtesy of QR in the unlikely event they missed their connection, then all is good. Personally, I'd go for the 55 minute connection and accept the consequences. I think 55 minutes is more then enough for them to make the connection on a good day.

Yeah those are my thoughts precisely. They actually wanted to stay overnight but as it was that would have costed them a couple of grand. So yeah they wouldn't be too fussed if they missed the flight.

 

[YSSY]

Yeah those are my thoughts precisely. They actually wanted to stay overnight but as it was that would have costed them a couple of grand. So yeah they wouldn't be too fussed if they missed the flight.

Yes IRROPS can sometimes work in your favour, I've had several flight delays work in my favour (upgrades or overnight in hotels in nice places), and once got a 24 hour stopover in Hong Kong with hotel accommodation and compensation due to a delay, which worked out in our favour because we'd wanted a stopover but couldn't get it included at the time of booking.