Apr 28, 2014, 1:34 pm
Last edit by: BobbySteel
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- Press release: "Qatar Airways is set to receive three A380 aircraft in quick succession this summer and the new aircraft will commence operations on the QR003 and QR004 London-Heathrow route."
- GDS show the first day of commercial service to be
17JUN1410OCT14 * Confirmed by QR for DOH-LHR * - Seat map in post 31 at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/22775349-post31.html
- Cabin and seat photos at http://www.ausbt.com.au/photos-qatar...business-class
- Video of the experience at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak2GBcAvt7U&authuser=0
- Another inflight video of business class on the 380 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSiW...ature=youtu.be
- expertflyer shows QR A388 services commencing 05JAN15 DOH-BKK (QR836) and BKK-DOH (QR833) - Phil the Flyer
Start of QR A380 services
Apr 21, 2014, 4:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: QR Gold, BAEC, Marriott Rewards Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,142
Start of QR A380 services
Apr 21, 2014, 5:53 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: QR Gold
Posts: 772
I know schedules can change at the last minute, BUT it is great news (not because of the the A380 only) but because it will finally confirm that the opening of the airport is definetly before June 1.
Apr 24, 2014, 11:33 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: UK (EMA/LHR), NL (GRQ/AMS), SE Asia (TAC/BKK)
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, QR Silver, Accor, BA
Posts: 653
QR's 4th A380 looks to be ready in another couple months or so:
http://doubledecker-blog.blogspot.ca...160-qatar.html
http://doubledecker-blog.blogspot.ca...160-qatar.html
Apr 24, 2014, 1:53 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 842
It will be interesting to see how QR's A380s are received in the market once EY unveils their A380 product. From the rumours its supposed to be something spectacular, on the FT EY forum there is mention of a spa, shower and enclosed first class suites that include separate lounging and sleeping areas.
Apr 24, 2014, 7:44 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: LHR
Programs: QR Platinum, WY Gold, Shangri-la Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,151
It's not yet been announced I'm afraid. I have seen speculation it may be QR001 and QR002, but I wouldn't book a flight based on this as I think it's just guesswork at this stage.
Apr 24, 2014, 7:46 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: LHR
Programs: QR Platinum, WY Gold, Shangri-la Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,151
QR's 4th A380 looks to be ready in another couple months or so:
http://doubledecker-blog.blogspot.ca...160-qatar.html
http://doubledecker-blog.blogspot.ca...160-qatar.html
Apr 24, 2014, 11:44 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 842
purple1addict,
semi-educated guess:
LHR, CDG, FRA, JFK, MEL + 1 Asian destination (such as BKK or PVG). Probably some regional flights too if they can squeeze them in such as JED or DXB. Thats 10 aircraft utilisation as I expect LHR and CDG will both have 2 A380 flights a day eventually.
semi-educated guess:
LHR, CDG, FRA, JFK, MEL + 1 Asian destination (such as BKK or PVG). Probably some regional flights too if they can squeeze them in such as JED or DXB. Thats 10 aircraft utilisation as I expect LHR and CDG will both have 2 A380 flights a day eventually.
Apr 25, 2014, 2:14 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,046
But if EY introduces them, then it will be great that they are providing customers going via the middle east with a choice.
Apr 25, 2014, 4:03 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: UK (EMA/LHR), NL (GRQ/AMS), SE Asia (TAC/BKK)
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, QR Silver, Accor, BA
Posts: 653
purple1addict,
semi-educated guess:
LHR, CDG, FRA, JFK, MEL + 1 Asian destination (such as BKK or PVG). Probably some regional flights too if they can squeeze them in such as JED or DXB. Thats 10 aircraft utilisation as I expect LHR and CDG will both have 2 A380 flights a day eventually.
semi-educated guess:
LHR, CDG, FRA, JFK, MEL + 1 Asian destination (such as BKK or PVG). Probably some regional flights too if they can squeeze them in such as JED or DXB. Thats 10 aircraft utilisation as I expect LHR and CDG will both have 2 A380 flights a day eventually.
Apr 25, 2014, 5:27 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 842
Sixth Freedom,
No doubt. Personally for me QR's A380 product works well for me, and I am not one for gimmicks. The F-cabin reminds me of the interiors of larger business jets which is a good thing.
Regarding gimmicks QR's A346 bar/lounge was innovative at its time, as it was different than what VS had and at that time EK didn't have the A380 yet. The bar/lounge worked well in advertisements and at the travel trade shows but in reality hardly anyone used it.
With regards to the gimmicks I am thinking of all my local friends who travel international first class. Not to generalise but these kind of gimmicks are popular with the locals, and the privacy from enclosed seats is popular too with the local women especially. I know a group of local government employees that travel to JFK regularly. They get a cash equivalent of a flexible J-class ticket on QR, then they top it off with their own pocket money and travel on EK A380 first. I hope QR's market research looked at local's preferences as they will depend on them to make F-class profitable.
No doubt. Personally for me QR's A380 product works well for me, and I am not one for gimmicks. The F-cabin reminds me of the interiors of larger business jets which is a good thing.
Regarding gimmicks QR's A346 bar/lounge was innovative at its time, as it was different than what VS had and at that time EK didn't have the A380 yet. The bar/lounge worked well in advertisements and at the travel trade shows but in reality hardly anyone used it.
With regards to the gimmicks I am thinking of all my local friends who travel international first class. Not to generalise but these kind of gimmicks are popular with the locals, and the privacy from enclosed seats is popular too with the local women especially. I know a group of local government employees that travel to JFK regularly. They get a cash equivalent of a flexible J-class ticket on QR, then they top it off with their own pocket money and travel on EK A380 first. I hope QR's market research looked at local's preferences as they will depend on them to make F-class profitable.
Apr 25, 2014, 11:44 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,046
i) the lounge was exclusively for F pax and there were only 8 F seats
ii) there was no special reason for people to visit the lounge.
If QR had allowed J pax to use the lounge too (there are 42 J seats on the 346) and put out some catering like they do on the 787 then I believe that the lounge would have been much more extensively used.
These mistakes have been rectified on the 380.
Some locals prefer EK and others prefer QR.
Apr 25, 2014, 1:12 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 842
Sixth Freedom,
Thanks for the valuable insights, I once spent the whole flight DOH-HKG from after take off to top of descent chatting with a friend in the A346 lounge. I must admit that product development along with network planning are some of the most interesting aspects for me in running an airline and I appreciate your knowledge in these matters.
Thanks for the valuable insights, I once spent the whole flight DOH-HKG from after take off to top of descent chatting with a friend in the A346 lounge. I must admit that product development along with network planning are some of the most interesting aspects for me in running an airline and I appreciate your knowledge in these matters.