Qatar Airways Privilege Club - Full pyjama set in C!

Last week, I flew between JNB and BOM via DOH in C. FAs distributed a full pyjama set (top, bottom, socks and eye mask in a black pack with a burgundy interior lining) to each passenger on the flights between JNB and DOH. Passengers can choose between a small (S) or extra-large (XL) size. I have both. While the actual sizes of the garments don't differ much between the S and XL versions (the XL pyjama top and bottom have longer sleeves and length, respectively), the colour schemes suggest that QR produces the S version for women (in burgundy, grey and light khaki) and XL version for men (in black, grey and white). I believe that this pyjama set replaces the previous cabin wear set (grey long-sleeved shirt in M, L or XL sizes, socks and eye mask in a grey drawstring pack). I'm impressed with QR's offering; other carriers may offer a similar pyjama set only in F (though IIRC, QF also provides a full pyjama set in C on select long-haul flights).

I wonder if QR may change other amenities (e.g., replacing the current Aigner kits with Molton Brown for consistency with the shampoo and shower gel in the premium terminal as well as the C lavatory amenities on some flights).

I certainly can't complain about other features of the service - attentive FAs, classy presentations and generous portions of food, etc. I wonder how QR manages to make a profit, given its robust C offering with relatively competitive fares (e.g., ex-JNB, KTM, DAC, etc.).

I wonder how QR manages to make a profit, given its robust C offering with relatively competitive fares (e.g., ex-JNB, KTM, DAC, etc.).

From what I have read, QR has not been profitable up until now but may have a profit this year or next. QR is state owned so I'm not sure the calculation of costs is on a full economic basis. The previously said they plan a 49 percent IPO within the 2010-2015 time period and I would expect more information to be published as that gets closer.

My sense is QR is building its brand and market share: reasonable prices and good product are part of that strategy. The new Doha airport should help them improve the travel experience a lot when it opens (2011?) and perhaps support some higher fares.

Note that pricing varies a lot by route and often connections beyond Doha can be cheaper than itineraries to/from Doha. That's quite common with hub carriers (e.g. in Europe).

US-Doha roundtrip in business runs from $8,000-12,000 depending on origin and fare class, so maybe a drop cheaper than some others some of the time but not dramatic. It's probably worth their while to attract high-fare passengers with somewhat more reasonable J fares.

Charles

wow, that's crazy. I paid $4300 in C JFK-DOH-BKK. The fare from IAD instead of JFK would have been $3000 more. I guess no one pays to go to Doha on their own dime so maybe that's why they can charge so much for flights ending there.

Some of the pax definetely pay with their own money, starting with the local qatari I'd suspect.

It seems the visa regulations work heavily against the concurrence on those routes as one is supposed to fly in with QR to enter with a tourist visa (ie also to get a visa on arrival ) .I don't know how strictly immigration officials enforce that law but it's there.

It seems the visa regulations work heavily against the concurrence on those routes as one is supposed to fly in with QR to enter with a tourist visa (ie also to get a visa on arrival ) .I don't know how strictly immigration officials enforce that law but it's there.

It can't be enforced well. I've been to Qatar several times, not on QR, entering on a vias-on-arrival.

However, it's feasible when you're entering for residency purposes. I know this law exists in Kuwait (first - and last time I had to use KU since 1998!), and a lot of the GCC countries have similar weird rules for certain things.

For flights terminating in Doha, I can imagine that with the thousands of migrant workers whose flights are paid for by their sponsors, it's likely this higher price is 'justified' by the state airline as a way to make cash from a captive audience.

I have never really understood why the pyjamas are so important? Can buy a much better one that fits me.

I wonder if QR may change other amenities (e.g., replacing the current Aigner kits with Molton Brown for consistency with the shampoo and shower gel in the premium terminal as well as the C lavatory amenities on some flights).


Flew DOH-LHR yesterday and can confirm that the amenity kits have changed in business to Molton Brown ones...less content than before- the toothbrush, mouthwash and face spray have all gone and toilets are now stocked with economy toothbrushes.