Emirates gets cozy with QF/JQ

[jsd]

So I was searching on the EK site today for flights back from AKL on the A380 and decided to see if I could still get a DJ SYD-HBA flight as a formal connection.

So I go into the booking engine and find a connecting flight, but its not DJ, its QF5721 :shock: (A.K.A JQ721)

So it appears that EK is snuggling up to QF/JQ for their domestic connections, how long has this been going on for :?:

 

[dajop]

So I was searching on the EK site today for flights back from AKL on the A380 and decided to see if I could still get a DJ SYD-HBA flight as a formal connection.

So I go into the booking engine and find a connecting flight, but its not DJ, its QF5721 :shock: (A.K.A JQ721)

So it appears that EK is snuggling up to QF/JQ for their domestic connections, how long has this been going on for :?:

Since DJ got into bed with the enemy perhaps?

 

[elbarto]

DJ flights still come up. But one would expect that the arrangement with DJ would come to an end, but I don't know that QF would be exactly willing to pick it up.

 

[yohy?!]

Ek seems to be willing to sell fares on just about any carrier these days...I've seem some weird and expensive routings recently with OW and Star carriers in the mix, doubt there's a formal arrangement with JQ though...they don't really seem to fit their brand identity anyway!

 

[TheInsider]

Emirates have completed or are in the process of completing an interline agreement with JQ at the moment.

 

[ChrisCunard]

I'd have thought QF / JQ would be very smart to get into an agreement with EK.

• Compete against V Australia with access into UAE.
• Access to EK's connecting flights.
• Middle eastern hub to help boost QF and JQ access into Europe?
• Access to DBX might result in lower fuel prices than SIN ? QF announced today that SIN fuel is as much as $120/barrel (https://www.qantas.com.au/agents/dyn/qf/info/201103/0315) at the moment.

Food for thought.

 

[browski]

Since DJ got into bed with the enemy perhaps?

Not sure who is the enemy these days, things have become a bit blurred.
Word on the street in Dubai is that due to the GFC, not only did Sheikh Mo (DXB) take the bailout from Sheikh Khalifa (AUH) but he sold off 60% of EK to EY. Of course, as part of the deal they named the Burj Khalifa after the AUH ruler - ouch.
So although the DXB royals would be thankful for the cash, I think they really despise their brothers up the road.

 

[anat0l]

Emirates have completed or are in the process of completing an interline agreement with JQ at the moment.

That can't be good. Whole bunch of rich people travelling from DXB to HBA for an Apple Isle holiday fly a magnificent suite in F from DXB to MEL and then interline into a floating bus (if that is even a good description) that can't even serve them a free glass of poor quality sparkling? Then again, save that QF probably can't do significantly better in this respect...

Then again, I wonder how EY to DJ manages such expectations, as is managing expectations of, for example, EY pax booking on VA operated flights (viz EY J and VA J are two different beasts). (The latter may solve many of those problems after implementing their new Business class system-wide).

Main thing is that if QF (or all or part of the Qantas Group) and EK tie up interline that would be interesting. It begs to see if QF will make the "same mistake" as they did when they, for a very short time, had the "partnership" going with EY. It may also force the leprechaun leader who is still searching futilely for a pot of gold to stop jumping up and down about the Middle Eastern carriers.

 

[LiamR]

EK as part of OneWorld?

Come to think about it, its not such a bad idea... 1W does have a bit of a hole in the middle east. A flagship carrier like EK would be of great value.

Food for thought...

 

[Oneworldplus2]

EK as part of OneWorld?

Come to think about it, its not such a bad idea... 1W does have a bit of a hole in the middle east. A flagship carrier like EK would be of great value.

Food for thought...

EK want to take over the world. Forget about alliances, they have 15 A380's with another 75 on order.....

Emirates Leaves Rivals in Slipstream

 

[oz_mark]

That can't be good. Whole bunch of rich people travelling from DXB to HBA for an Apple Isle holiday fly a magnificent suite in F from DXB to MEL and then interline into a floating bus (if that is even a good description) that can't even serve them a free glass of poor quality sparkling? Then again, save that QF probably can't do significantly better in this respect...

Then again, I wonder how EY to DJ manages such expectations, as is managing expectations of, for example, EY pax booking on VA operated flights (viz EY J and VA J are two different beasts). (The latter may solve many of those problems after implementing their new Business class system-wide).

Main thing is that if QF (or all or part of the Qantas Group) and EK tie up interline that would be interesting. It begs to see if QF will make the "same mistake" as they did when they, for a very short time, had the "partnership" going with EY. It may also force the leprechaun leader who is still searching futilely for a pot of gold to stop jumping up and down about the Middle Eastern carriers.

Back in the bad old days, everyone pretty much interlined with everyone else. Qantas has quite a few interline agreements, for example. I really don't see much to be concerned about with interline agreements, and would caution about reading too much into them.

While they seem to be novel for LCC's, they are far short of being alliances or anything of the sort.

 

[LiamR]

It seems they are becomming their own alliance...

I often wonder about these airlines based in the middle east...

 

[dk4]

With former rumours about Emirates interested in an American Airline stake & on the other side of the pond, International Airlines Group (BA & IB) seemingly interested in Qatar Airways. Qantas will likely be TOLD what to do in the middle east.

As everyday passes, QF appears to be more of a bit player within Oneworld, than one of the leading power strategists of the alliance.