Qatar started flying non-Qsuite aircraft to Adelaide

[Hunter4vr]

Just a PSA as I got "Qatar'd" the other week flying into Adelaide, lot of people on the flight were unhappy, which is totally understandable. This was historically a 100% chance of a Qsuite route which no longer seems to be the case as Qatar has started flying the A350's with the reverse herringbone layout into/out of ADL.

I've pulled the flight and tail number history for the last 3 months (QR915 out of ADL) and it looks like they are only increasing the frequency of the non-Qsuite aircraft on the route. Pretty poor from Qatar especially since it continues to be advertised as a Qsuite, even after the aircraft change is confirmed, as was the case with my flight.

 

[luckypierre]

Just a PSA as I got "Qatar'd" the other week flying into Adelaide, lot of people on the flight were unhappy, which is totally understandable. This was historically a 100% chance of a Qsuite route which no longer seems to be the case as Qatar has started flying the A350's with the reverse herringbone layout into/out of ADL.

I've pulled the flight and tail number history for the last 3 months (QR915 out of ADL) and it looks like they are only increasing the frequency of the non-Qsuite aircraft on the route. Pretty poor from Qatar especially since it continues to be advertised as a Qsuite, even after the aircraft change is confirmed, as was the case with my flight.

View attachment 459937

I’ve read elsewhere that for guaranteed Qsuite routes QR will notify you if planned aircraft downgrades and give you an option to change to another date. I’m guessing this wasn’t the case in your recent experience.

 

[kpc]

I flew Qr Adl-Mel-Doh in late May...got Q suites but not the caviar service.

Not great news if you didnt get the Q suites as expected!

 

[Hunter4vr]

I’ve read elsewhere that for guaranteed Qsuite routes QR will notify you if planned aircraft downgrades and give you an option to change to another date. I’m guessing this wasn’t the case in your recent experience.

Few people mentioned they had an email around 3 days prior while others received nothing and were understandably annoyed about the aircraft change. It was an Avios booking for me so I'm not too annoyed, would be bit different if this was a revenue ticket.

 

[Pushka]

Few people mentioned they had an email around 3 days prior while others received nothing and were understandably annoyed about the aircraft change. It was an Avios booking for me so I'm not too annoyed, would be bit different if this was a revenue ticket.

Agree. And they aren't as well priced anymore in comparison with others.

 

[VPS]

I've just flown home J on Qatar and I thought the service was fairly lacklustre.

 

[jase05]

I flew Qr Adl-Mel-Doh in late May...got Q suites but not the caviar service.

Not great news if you didnt get the Q suites as expected!

I’ve had the QSuites back to ADL recently and every time I’ve flown home with QR to ADL but yes I’d be annoyed to get the old config

 

[moxrox]

QR914 DOH to ADL 12 Jan purchased through Velocity points has been changed from Q suite to non q suite. I am fuming to say the least.

Ive been checking the app regularly since booking over 6 months ago as I’ve had an issue in the past with Qatar flight changing and reward booking via partner (Qantas) not emailing me about the change and the reticketing not occurring.

Now overseas with my wife, have not received an email from virgin or Qatar about the change which I understand should be procedure.

I called Qatar and they said they cannot do anything as it was booked through Virgin. What are my options? Can Virgin change my flight to a q suite flight route the following day?

Has this happened to anyone before who has redeemed a reward flight through Velocity?

 

[SYD]

What aircraft type is it now?

They have QSuites lite (angled seats with doors) which are just as good.

The onboard experience (F&B) is the same. Just no door to annoy you as they come and go.

As far as booking via VA, you are constrained by whatever - if any - alternate flights are available as award bookings.

 

[Human]

It is indeed, disappointing that you won't get to fly in a Q-Suite. Not sure it'd leave me "fuming". Aircraft changes happen all the time. Sometimes it means the hard product is better, sometimes worse, and when it's worse you need to take the good with the bad.

I assume you'll still be on an A350, just not with Q-Suites? The soft product is exactly the same. The seats are, if anything, a tiny bit wider, although obviously with a lot less privacy and a little less storage space.

My best ever Qatar cabin crew experience was on a non-Q-Suite A350. I get that your'e disappointed and I would be too -- frustrated, even (because I think Qatar would give you the option to change flights if you'd booked through them). But sometimes airlines swap planes before the flight, for any number of reasons.

In all probability, it will still be a highly enjoyable flight -- the worst outcome now would be to let your anger detract from the enjoyment.

 

[drron]

Changing a plane type is not a reason for re ticketing. I had 2 changes of aircraft during October and neither were re ticketed and I still flew on those flights. They were Aadvanage rewards and neither AA or QR notified me of the change. but I knew when I checked the bookings as I regularly do.. I had 2 other flights on QR where the departure time was changed by ~ 20 minutes and they were re ticketed..

I see you have found the post on ADL flights losing Q suites. That was started in October.

 

[MELso]

Changing a plane type is not a reason for re ticketing.

This is ordinarily true, but Qatar offers a guarantee for Q Suites. It's only if you're on ticket on Qatar 157 stock (i.e. not VA stock), allowing for free rebooking up to 21 days either side. Hence, the OP is not entitled to a rebooking as a consequence of the aircraft change.

QSuites are nice, but I'd still be happy in QR's ordinary J on the A350 (the J on the 787 is squishy though).

 

[jase05]

QR914 DOH to ADL 12 Jan purchased through Velocity points has been changed from Q suite to non q suite. I am fuming to say the least.

Ive been checking the app regularly since booking over 6 months ago as I’ve had an issue in the past with Qatar flight changing and reward booking via partner (Qantas) not emailing me about the change and the reticketing not occurring.

Now overseas with my wife, have not received an email from virgin or Qatar about the change which I understand should be procedure.

I called Qatar and they said they cannot do anything as it was booked through Virgin. What are my options? Can Virgin change my flight to a q suite flight route the following day?

Has this happened to anyone before who has redeemed a reward flight through Velocity?

Unfortunately I do t think you will get much joy

 

[SYD]

This is ordinarily true, but Qatar offers a guarantee for Q Suites. It's only if you're on ticket on Qatar 157 stock (i.e. not VA stock), allowing for free rebooking up to 21 days either side. Hence, the OP is not entitled to a rebooking as a consequence of the aircraft change.

QSuites are nice, but I'd still be happy in QR's ordinary J on the A350 (the J on the 787 is squishy though).

QSuite are nice but highly overrated. But given a choice, I’d probably lurched towards the A380 with Mk1 J seats BUT the bar down the back!