Australia gets its first Boeing 787 service, courtesy of Qatar

[SteveJohnson]

Yes it'd be nice if it was Qantas instead of Qatar, and flying out of Sydney instead of Perth, but them's the breaks!

Qatar will begin flying a Boeing 787 from Perth to Doha from February 1, 2013 as QR900-901.

Australia's first 787: Qatar Airways to launch Perth-Doha in Feb - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[munitalP]

Just done a dummy booking, shows 777 as AC in March - their website can't have caught up with the good news yet! $2300 ish return over a weekend - Y but still a 787

The gears are turning albeit slowly - it's been hot at the coalface today [iron magnetite actually]

Hey Oz_mark - up for a run on a good plane [screw this scarebus stuff ]

 

[atreides]

Wow! Great news for PER!

I wonder if they will offer specials for the inaugural flight

 

[oz_mark]

Hey Oz_mark - up for a run on a good plane [screw this scarebus stuff ]

Hmm, Easter in Doha!

How will the ministry of finance react?

 

[v8Statesman]

When do they join One World?

 

[markis10]

Just done a dummy booking, shows 777 as AC in March - their website can't have caught up with the good news yet! $2300 ish return over a weekend - Y but still a 787

The gears are turning albeit slowly - it's been hot at the coalface today [iron magnetite actually]

Hey Oz_mark - up for a run on a good plane [screw this scarebus stuff ]

Its been that way since Al Baker announced the Perth Dreamliner route mid November, at that time it was end of December commencement :


Dreamliner debut planned by Qatar for Perth next month | Plane Talking

The same guy said they would not be joining OneWorld the day before they announced they were, grain of salt stuff until it actually happens, certainly not worth making plans for!

 

[oz_mark]

AirlineRoute are reporting that the GDS has been updated to reflect 787 services

QATAR Airways to Launch Boeing 787 Service to Perth from Feb 2013 | Airline Route – Worldwide Airline Route Updates

 

[markis10]

AirlineRoute are reporting that the GDS has been updated to reflect 787 services

QATAR Airways to Launch Boeing 787 Service to Perth from Feb 2013 | Airline Route – Worldwide Airline Route Updates

Hopefully Al Bakers demand for compensation wont delay further deliveries! Certainly a character.

 

[docjames]

Reports coming out that the delivered a/c has gone u/s due electrical issues (?? similar to the recent UA divert).

 

[serfty]

Saw a posting on FT of a special fare MAN to MEL:

Originally Posted by Wozza2404
Qatar airways are offering MAN-MEL on their new Dreamliner for £2715

KUL/HKG/BKK are also available for around £1650.

There are some fares from LON as well.

http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/special-offers.page

The London fares are from £2740 ...

Sale ends 20th Dec, for travel next year until June 13th.

 

[casanovawa]

That doesn't strike me as particularly cheap, unless its J???

And nice to see PER finally getting something other than the leftovers...

 

[serfty]

That doesn't strike me as particularly cheap, unless its J???

And nice to see PER finally getting something other than the leftovers...

Of course it is Business class, unworthy of a mention otherwise.

 

[oz_mark]

AirlineRoute now reporting that it is back to a 777 service

QATAR Airways during mid-day Wednesday (16JAN13) adjusted its planned Doha – Perth operation. Boeing 777-200LR will continue operation on this route on/after 01FEB13, replacing previously planned Boeing 787. There are no new dates given on when the Dreamliner will begin operating this route.

QATAR Airways Cancels Planned Boeing 787 Service to Perth due Feb 2013 | Airline Route – Worldwide Airline Route Updates

 

[codash1099]

AirlineRoute now reporting that it is back to a 777 service



QATAR Airways Cancels Planned Boeing 787 Service to Perth due Feb 2013 | Airline Route – Worldwide Airline Route Updates

Maybe has something to do with recent 787 problems.

 

[markis10]

Maybe has something to do with recent 787 problems.

Yes, they have canned the other dreamliner routes now as well.

 

[Berlin]

...not that anyone would be too keen to fly on one of those test-planes anyway atm :shock:

 

[SteveJohnson]

It's now official, Qatar has grounded all its 787s and also for the time being scrubbed the 787 from the February 1 Perth-Doha flight.

Qatar Airways grounds Boeing 787 Dreamliners, cancels Perth-Doha debut - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[Poisson]

My flights ex PER 11 March returning 28 March have reverted from 787 to 777. Not sure whether to be disappointed I won't be in the new metal (er..epoxy) or relieved.