Doha to Scotland
Jul 20, 2012, 4:38 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,307
I just heard a 4 x weekly service to EDI will be announced shortly along with changes to some other UK destinations.
I'm interested as I currently use EK ex GLA. I've had a brief look around here for info and a browse about the QR website. Any comments on how they compare with EK - hard product, soft product, FF scheme, IRROPS, in fact any aspect of what is on offer?
I'm interested as I currently use EK ex GLA. I've had a brief look around here for info and a browse about the QR website. Any comments on how they compare with EK - hard product, soft product, FF scheme, IRROPS, in fact any aspect of what is on offer?
Jul 23, 2012, 3:07 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: EDI, KUL
Programs: EK Gold; BA Silver; GF Silver; HH Diamond, SPG Plat; IHG Plat
Posts: 148
Hi
Have flown both Emirates and Qatar 3-4 times each in J over the last 2 years from GLA/MAN/LHR to India/SE Asia/Australia.
Hard product
EK A380 beats anything QR can currently offer....but QR777 (spacious, proper flat beds) beats all else. QR A330/340 and EK 777/330/340 about the same but beware of sometimes old EK config - reclining armchairs; previously from GLA but think they have updated the aircraft since the start of the summer season.
Soft product
Food and Drink - I find QR to be better. Nice selection of wines and the Arabic meze is very good.
Amenities - was a tie when QR had Molton Brown v EK Bvlgari but now QR have gone with Ferragamo - containing lip balm, hand cream and fancy water, then EK.
Lounges
EK better at MAN, QR uses a really poor contract lounge. Same at LHR (both good). EK at GLA poor, contract lounge again.
EK at DXB good but large.
QR premium terminal at DOH. When good, better than EK. When not good, worse. So hit and miss.
FF scheme
EK earning rates poor and not many partners, but Gold status rewarded well - upgrades etc. QR can earn miles with more partners - I credit to BMI/BA - so don't have status with QR and so can't give comparison to EK in terms of upgrades etc.
Only other difference is that EK give chauffeur drive, whereas QR don't, at either end. Having said that, it would be great to see QR at EDI
Have flown both Emirates and Qatar 3-4 times each in J over the last 2 years from GLA/MAN/LHR to India/SE Asia/Australia.
Hard product
EK A380 beats anything QR can currently offer....but QR777 (spacious, proper flat beds) beats all else. QR A330/340 and EK 777/330/340 about the same but beware of sometimes old EK config - reclining armchairs; previously from GLA but think they have updated the aircraft since the start of the summer season.
Soft product
Food and Drink - I find QR to be better. Nice selection of wines and the Arabic meze is very good.
Amenities - was a tie when QR had Molton Brown v EK Bvlgari but now QR have gone with Ferragamo - containing lip balm, hand cream and fancy water, then EK.
Lounges
EK better at MAN, QR uses a really poor contract lounge. Same at LHR (both good). EK at GLA poor, contract lounge again.
EK at DXB good but large.
QR premium terminal at DOH. When good, better than EK. When not good, worse. So hit and miss.
FF scheme
EK earning rates poor and not many partners, but Gold status rewarded well - upgrades etc. QR can earn miles with more partners - I credit to BMI/BA - so don't have status with QR and so can't give comparison to EK in terms of upgrades etc.
Only other difference is that EK give chauffeur drive, whereas QR don't, at either end. Having said that, it would be great to see QR at EDI
Jul 25, 2012, 11:20 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,307
Thanks for the info.
I have a couple of trips between now and the end of the year booked with EK, but will hold off making a booking for early next year until the EDI flights come out to see if there are introductory bargains.
I'd be hoping for a status match - I'm Silver just now but will be Gold by the end of the year. I've read mixed reports on the success of this so is there any preferred method to boost the chances of success eg request locally or via Doha. Make a booking first or wait until after a first flight before requesting?
Lounges won't make much difference for me as both alternatives are contract lounges, although with going double daily recently I suppose there's more chance of EK opening a lounge of their own than QR.
EDI is closer to home for me so loss of chauffeur drive wouldn't be such a big thing, although it's a great perk.
I usually use miles for upgrading but have seen mixed reports on this. How available are they ex UK, and also from DOH to any of HKG, BKK or KUL?
I have a couple of trips between now and the end of the year booked with EK, but will hold off making a booking for early next year until the EDI flights come out to see if there are introductory bargains.
I'd be hoping for a status match - I'm Silver just now but will be Gold by the end of the year. I've read mixed reports on the success of this so is there any preferred method to boost the chances of success eg request locally or via Doha. Make a booking first or wait until after a first flight before requesting?
Lounges won't make much difference for me as both alternatives are contract lounges, although with going double daily recently I suppose there's more chance of EK opening a lounge of their own than QR.
EDI is closer to home for me so loss of chauffeur drive wouldn't be such a big thing, although it's a great perk.
I usually use miles for upgrading but have seen mixed reports on this. How available are they ex UK, and also from DOH to any of HKG, BKK or KUL?
Nov 20, 2013, 6:26 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,307
Nov 20, 2013, 5:03 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Scotland, Spain
Programs: Skywards Gold, Amex Plat, SkyTeam Silver
Posts: 1,165
Some additional info:
2 class 787 with 22 in Business and 232 in the back.
Flies Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Flight QR 027 will depart Doha at 0800 and arrive in Edinburgh at 1315 local time. Return service QR 028 will leave Edinburgh at 1445 and land in Doha at 2340
2 class 787 with 22 in Business and 232 in the back.
Flies Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Flight QR 027 will depart Doha at 0800 and arrive in Edinburgh at 1315 local time. Return service QR 028 will leave Edinburgh at 1445 and land in Doha at 2340
Jan 18, 2014, 6:10 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 349
Inaugural QR 028
If any other forum members will be travelling on the inaugural QR 028, 1445 EDI-DOH on May 28th, and are interested in a meet up, then please send me a PM.
Last edited by Nuff Said; Jan 18, 2014 at 6:24 am Reason: Minor correction.
Jan 19, 2014, 6:52 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 154
Certainly is. I'll be taking the Highland Chieftain train from Perth to Haymarket, then the Airlink 100 bus which operates every ten minutes.
If any other forum members will be travelling on the inaugural QR 028, 1445 EDI-DOH on May 28th, and are interested in a meet up, then please send me a PM.
If any other forum members will be travelling on the inaugural QR 028, 1445 EDI-DOH on May 28th, and are interested in a meet up, then please send me a PM.
Jan 19, 2014, 7:12 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: OZ, Perth
Programs: QF QR Silver, DJ,TG,MH
Posts: 509