Change of plane type

[OZDUCK]

Wandering around on the Internet I have learnt that QR are famous/infamous for changing the type of plane on virtually any route. Therefore I have kept a careful eye on our flights - Sin - Doha - Bcn - Doha - Per. A few days ago I noticed that the plane for the Barcelona/Doha legs had changed from a B787 to an A350. This seemed fine as the QR A350 J is very nice.

However I kept wondering about this and today I delved into it a bit further and found that the B787 had actually been replaced by a "dry leased" LATAM A350 (no LATAM crew just the plane). This means that the J seating has gone from a reverse herringbone 1 - 2 - 1 layout to a front-facing 2 - 2 - 2 layout, also with a slightly smaller seat pitch. The food, service, amenities kit etc is all normal QR standard.

Looking at trip reviews the LATAM product is ok, but not as good as the QR setup. However we had already selected window seats for both of us on these legs and could possibly have ended up with a stranger alongside. Apparently the privacy divider is of little use and you need to step over legs to get out of the window seat. Therefore I have changed our seating to put as alongside each other - my wife loves the window seat and I am not too concerned as one flight is all at night anyway. If the flights remain lightly booked - probably the reason for the substitution - we will swap around on board.

This is just a warning for others with QR flights - of course most of you are probably already aware of this possibility.

 

[Dalescott]

We have used Qatar a number of times, and I must say service is good and product is good. But ground service is not good, and they are generally getting worse. For this reason we are flying with China Airlines to LGW and flying on to EDI. Cost wise it is much better and the product and service is so far just as good if not better.

 

[OZDUCK]

We have used Qatar a number of times, and I must say service is good and product is good. But ground service is not good, and they are generally getting worse. For this reason we are flying with China Airlines to LGW and flying on to EDI. Cost wise it is much better and the product and service is so far just as good if not better.

I have only flown QR on 2 legs - being transferred onto them by Finnair after a flight cancellation and they were great in the air. However, they are noted for having poor ground service.

For this trip I used their "special stopover offer" to book a couple of cheap nights in Doha - US$100 for 2 nights in a 5* Marriott. I paid my money and then they said the booking was cancelled and gave a nonsensical reason. They never replied to my first e-mail and I had to send a second one pointing out that they had never replied nor refunded my advance payment. They then said the booking was re-instated but without any explanation. There is also much angst on Flyer Talk about them, basically, halving the benefits of their Frequent Flyer programme without any warning.

Coming out of Perth we are severely restricted in airline options, no China Airlines etc. For both this and our previous trip we have taken a cheap basic flight to Singapore, and hooked up with QR and AY, to save several thousands of dollars on J fares.

 

[NZflygirl]

What part of ground services was awful? I've transited through and thought it was pretty good. Doing that again later.

 

[Dalescott]

any change to or alteration of ticketing, upgrading, or generally ticketing issues. Can be a problem, also any complaints about any issues falls on deaf ears. Qatar Airlines is best reflected in it's Chairman AlBaker, when he said that the economy seats were as good a premium economy on other airlines. This for me reflected on the airlines view of it's self and the arrogance of Qatar's management.
As I have said before we fly into EDI, and there is only two airlines servicing EDI at present, Qatar being one of them. So we have no choice but to pay up or fly thru two airport instead of one.

 

[NZflygirl]

any change to or alteration of ticketing, upgrading, or generally ticketing issues. Can be a problem, also any complaints about any issues falls on deaf ears. Qatar Airlines is best reflected in it's Chairman AlBaker, when he said that the economy seats were as good a premium economy on other airlines. This for me reflected on the airlines view of it's self and the arrogance of Qatar's management.
As I have said before we fly into EDI, and there is only two airlines servicing EDI at present, Qatar being one of them. So we have no choice but to pay up or fly thru two airport instead of one.

I've only cancelled with them and they were super easy. Had something unexpected come up. Otherwise no need for interactions to date.

Checking out Y later! Looking forward to it. I've flown A320 Y but doubt he was referring to that being like PE. A320 J lie flat was a knockout though and I've enjoyed the old J on the 777 more than some other airlines. I'm expecting the A380, A350 and 772 to be awesome so I'll reserve judgement until then. It's really only the A350 I think there's a risk of a swap for me but I can live with that. There's no guarantees but sometimes you can pick patterns. A380 prob has a fairly set schedule and only the 772 will fly to NZ.
Qatar receive a lot of awards. I personally think they're well deserved. I think they're mainly for premium cabins though. Not sure who the leader is in economy.

There are definitely worse airlines out there.

 

[JohnK]

I've been searching award availability SKG/ATH-BKK next March and don't want to go via LHR as it's too many points and nothing available via DXB or AMM on the date I want ro travel. That leaves QR via DOH.

I've done it before but SKG-DOH at 4h45m is a little too long in an A320. I'm guessing no IFE but good thing it's a late evening flight followed by red-eye DOH-BKK getting into BKK early morning.

Anyone been on the QR A320? Any thoughts?

 

[clifford]

Anyone been on the QR A320? Any thoughts?

I've been on the QR 32x's several times, but only in J class. I'm quite happy to fly these aircraft, but only in row 1, as the other rows have little space available once the seat in front of you is reclined. Service is usually pretty good and personal, being a small cabin. Can't remember IFE, as I don't generally use it.

Don't know about Y class, but I wouldn't go out of my way to try it.

 

[OZDUCK]

I've been searching award availability SKG/ATH-BKK next March and don't want to go via LHR as it's too many points and nothing available via DXB or AMM on the date I want ro travel. That leaves QR via DOH.

I've done it before but SKG-DOH at 4h45m is a little too long in an A320. I'm guessing no IFE but good thing it's a late evening flight followed by red-eye DOH-BKK getting into BKK early morning.

Anyone been on the QR A320? Any thoughts?

The problem is which version of the QR A320 is it? Some are as Clifford says.

But the version we flew Doha-Helsinki had full lie flat seats that were very comfortable and did not have any impingement of legroom. Excellent seats with perhaps a smallish foot area when sleeping. More comfortable than the chartered Latam A350 J seats we just flews BCN - DOH.
This links shows the version we flew https://www.qatarairways.com/en-mv/fleet/airbus-a320.html

I would assume a dummy booking would show which version normally operates that route.

 

[NZflygirl]

I had the lie flat A320 and have vague memories of IFE when I swapped out to Y. And yeah it’s not fun with recline in your face. I think a 5 hr flight that time.

 

[JohnK]

I don't know about Y class, but I wouldn't go out of my way to try it.

I'm not either but not left with much choice.

One thing I don't quite understand is how AFFers are getting premium airfares from UK/Scandinavia to come to Australia cheaply and an airfare from either BKK to ATH/SKG or the other way around costs an arm and a leg. Airfare pricing makes no sense.

 

[clifford]

I'm not either but not left with much choice.

One thing I don't quite understand is how AFFers are getting premium airfares from UK/Scandinavia to come to Australia cheaply and an airfare from either BKK to ATH/SKG or the other way around costs an arm and a leg. Airfare pricing makes no sense.

That seems to be the case, but I guess airlines figure that people in Asia and Australasia are more prepared to pay inflated prices.

I usually use FF points to get from Aus/Asia to Europe/Middle East, and then purchase a cheapish J class return ticket back. Works for me and gets me OWE with BA.

BTW, have you looked at LCA-BKK using Emirates and QFF points? I've done it the other way a couple of times and there's often availability.

 

[JohnK]

BTW, have you looked at LCA-BKK using Emirates and QFF points? I've done it the other way a couple of times and there's often availability.

I haven't checked that route as there is nothing out of DXB that week. Unfortunately if I do go there is no flexibility and I will have to come back on a specific date.

 

[fifo]

JohnK... I fly Y on QR often, often on A320 and A319s as they use them up to 4 hrs.
Most recently to cyprus return last week.
On return in a 319 - 3.5 hrs + .5 due to delay in landing - 4 hrs no IFE or power in seat.
Seats are tight, even the exit row is tight! If you can get there early and get an exit row, its not bad. Else, it sucks. Once I depart DOH next year i'll be looking to avoid them. Esp A319s and 787s!