Qatar or Royal Jordanian in J - whaddaya reckon?

[PineappleSkip]

Hi all

I am likely to be travelling from KBL to BEY in a couple of months, work not holiday unfortunately :-|

Looking to amass a few more OW SCs naturally, and try a new OW carrier. No OW flights exist ex KBL, but the obvious routing is via DXB and the obvious choices are QR or RJ. I would be travelling J. The flights are in A320/321 using the QR option or A321/E95 using the RJ option.

Just wondering what your experiences were of J shorthaul on QR and RJ, especially which you reckon is the better? I have already noted previous feedback here about people getting involuntary downgrades on QR, which is not promising, although they offer a lot more alternatives than RJ in the way of departures.

Also which offers the least painless transit experience, DOH or AMM?

One curiosity about the QR booking engine - choose J cabin and it claims to book me into F (A) after the flight selection page then 'business' on the next page. Expert flyer also claims the forward cabin is F, not J. SCs in F would obviously be a big bonus.

Yours in breathless anticipation
Skip

 

[MYT105]

Can't help with QR, but RJ short haul J is much like QF short haul J, ok but not really worth it if you were paying yourself for it.

 

[zainman]

If you can get the reconfigured A320 with QR, that J is probably the best J product in a narrow body aircraft. If not, I would still pick QR.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all

I am likely to be travelling from KBL to BEY in a couple of months, work not holiday unfortunately :-|

Looking to amass a few more OW SCs naturally, and try a new OW carrier. No OW flights exist ex KBL, but the obvious routing is via DXB and the obvious choices are QR or RJ. I would be travelling J. The flights are in A320/321 using the QR option or A321/E95 using the RJ option.

Just wondering what your experiences were of J shorthaul on QR and RJ, especially which you reckon is the better? I have already noted previous feedback here about people getting involuntary downgrades on QR, which is not promising, although they offer a lot more alternatives than RJ in the way of departures.

Also which offers the least painless transit experience, DOH or AMM?

One curiosity about the QR booking engine - choose J cabin and it claims to book me into F (A) after the flight selection page then 'business' on the next page. Expert flyer also claims the forward cabin is F, not J. SCs in F would obviously be a big bonus.

Yours in breathless anticipation
Skip

Many QR intra Middle East flights seem to only offer two classes of service - First and economy (although First is often still the same business class cabin just with a different name).

The benefit of of First is the upgraded lounge facilities (although i'm not exactly sure what is happening with the new terminal at DOH).

 

[Aussie_flyer]

QR is marvelous. Use them

 

[Joshua]

On an upcoming trip I have booked both (in on QR, out on RJ). QR is obviously a better airline than RJ, human rights aside. RJ short-haul J product is quite okay from experience and I have no qualms using them. Both airports have recently been improved after several delays so the transfer experience should be similar, transit hotels, if eligible, are available at both (RJ seemed to be pretty old school/liberal with access) but the QR lounge facilities will be a higher standard.

 

[N860CR]

Wouldn't go near RJ again. QR would be the better option

 

[vetrade]

Obviously a diversity of opinions. We flew ATH - AMM - DXB in J last year on RJ. Planes nothing special, hosties looked like Victoria's Secret models and did their job well so that certainly helped their satisfaction rating, food quite OK. They drive you from the tarmac to the terminal in AMM - very noticeable that they give J pax preference with Y pax prevented from disembarking until all the J's are ensconced in a fancy bus and no Y's allowed on even if it's only 1/3 full. Obviously very class conscious. J Lounge in AMM is very modern with great selection of food but be prepared to feel the eyes burning a hole in your back!

 

[djfuzz]

Have flown RJ J on the old BKK-HKG hop in an A330, and it was adequate - good value for the price, but nothing to write home about. Given that, and the far better reputation QR (an an airline) has all round, I'd be inclined to take a closer look at their short haul product but would probably be leaning in their direction anyway.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Thanks for the tips folks. Looks like QR is the go. Found a few other things
The new DOH airport opened at the end if April. Worth checking out, interested to see what the F lounge with dedicated duty free looks like
Premium Travellers | Hamad International Airport

Pic of the 'old' A320 J on QR
https://www.flickr.com/photos/qatarairways/9056227026/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/qatarairways/9056226256/


The 'new' A320 J looks nice, but isn't on short haul flights to Middle East destinations. Sure I would cope.
Press Release | Qatar Airways

Cheers Skip