A/C change, much worse C-product, what can I do?
Sep 30, 2014, 9:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 257
A/C change, much worse C-product, what can I do?
I have booked a QR oneway back in June for end of October. Business Class though BA Exec Club. The first leg was confirmed on a 787, the second on a 77W. I had intentionally booked this connection because of the aircraft types because of the better C-product.
A few weeks later they changed the 77W to A321 ... i.e. no lie-flat beds, no space etc. anymore on this leg.
Two days ago they have now also changed the 787 flight to the A332 ... again worse product, e.g. no lie-flat, no single seat.
Anyone had the same experience? What can I do? Would QR rebook me onto another connection with the desired aircraft free of charge?
I am really upset because I pay the same while they deliver me a far worse overall flight experience. That can not be right.
Thanks for any advice!
A few weeks later they changed the 77W to A321 ... i.e. no lie-flat beds, no space etc. anymore on this leg.
Two days ago they have now also changed the 787 flight to the A332 ... again worse product, e.g. no lie-flat, no single seat.
Anyone had the same experience? What can I do? Would QR rebook me onto another connection with the desired aircraft free of charge?
I am really upset because I pay the same while they deliver me a far worse overall flight experience. That can not be right.
Thanks for any advice!
Sep 30, 2014, 10:25 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: QR Gold
Posts: 772
I have booked a QR oneway back in June for end of October. Business Class though BA Exec Club. The first leg was confirmed on a 787, the second on a 77W. I had intentionally booked this connection because of the aircraft types because of the better C-product.
A few weeks later they changed the 77W to A321 ... i.e. no lie-flat beds, no space etc. anymore on this leg.
Two days ago they have now also changed the 787 flight to the A332 ... again worse product, e.g. no lie-flat, no single seat.
Anyone had the same experience? What can I do? Would QR rebook me onto another connection with the desired aircraft free of charge?
I am really upset because I pay the same while they deliver me a far worse overall flight experience. That can not be right.
Thanks for any advice!
A few weeks later they changed the 77W to A321 ... i.e. no lie-flat beds, no space etc. anymore on this leg.
Two days ago they have now also changed the 787 flight to the A332 ... again worse product, e.g. no lie-flat, no single seat.
Anyone had the same experience? What can I do? Would QR rebook me onto another connection with the desired aircraft free of charge?
I am really upset because I pay the same while they deliver me a far worse overall flight experience. That can not be right.
Thanks for any advice!
Where are you going? Its not common to change from 787 to 77W to A321
Oct 3, 2014, 5:29 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Bømlo, Norway//Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Programs: QR Silver
Posts: 222
I don't suppose there is anything you can do, as their job is to get your from point A to point B. You may file a complaint with customer service, but from previous personal experience and that of other forum members, I donæt think you should get your hopes too high. Or am I wrong?
Oct 3, 2014, 6:42 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: ZRH
Programs: QR Privilege Club Gold; Accor LeClub Platinum
Posts: 658
I think you are right. Airlines can do equipment swaps for whatever reason. They don't owe you anything in that regard.. You pay for the route, not the plane. But I don't know if QR would be willing to give a bit of compensation (a few miles, or maybe travel vouchers) if you're high status and insist 
Oct 7, 2014, 1:46 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 257
Thanks to all.
Have called them ... they couldn't care less. Very unprofessional, no understanding ... no empathy ... not even thinking about a solution ... no 5 stars - not even 1.
I have learned my lesson and will not trust them anymore - will always expect the worst a/c that could do the distance. Based on that I will buy or not.
I have cancelled the flights on this occassion.
Summary: Imagine you order a BMW 5 series because of the new engine, the great seats, the extra space etc. Then you come to collect it and the dealer says: here is your BMW 3 series. Would anyone ever accept that? For the same price? For 50$ extra? Don't think so.
Have called them ... they couldn't care less. Very unprofessional, no understanding ... no empathy ... not even thinking about a solution ... no 5 stars - not even 1.
I have learned my lesson and will not trust them anymore - will always expect the worst a/c that could do the distance. Based on that I will buy or not.
I have cancelled the flights on this occassion.
Summary: Imagine you order a BMW 5 series because of the new engine, the great seats, the extra space etc. Then you come to collect it and the dealer says: here is your BMW 3 series. Would anyone ever accept that? For the same price? For 50$ extra? Don't think so.
Oct 8, 2014, 4:43 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: CMB/LHR
Programs: QR Gold / OW Sapphire, Le Club Accor Gold, Shangri La Jade
Posts: 144
Flightradar24 lists QR662 as having being operating with a 77W for the past four months. The other two flights (660 and 658) have been running with an A320 and a A321 for the same period, respectively.
When was OP scheduled to fly and on which flight?
Oct 10, 2014, 10:12 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: M&M FQT, BA G, Bonvoy LTT, WoH GLOB
Posts: 960
A/C change, much worse C-product, what can I do?
I know it doesn't help, but I flew WAW-DOH recently on a 320 with a cradle seat in C. Ironically DOH-AUH-DOH had the new 320 flat bed, only to fly onto TXL on a worn-out 332.
I was very underwhelmed and will await product consistency before trying again. The lack of F lounge at DOH didn't help.
I was very underwhelmed and will await product consistency before trying again. The lack of F lounge at DOH didn't help.
Oct 10, 2014, 1:34 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold, TG Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 8,665
Common occurrence on RJ. It even happens on rare occasions on BA. It happens.
At least it was Avios which you can cancel as oppose a discounted cash fare which you cannot.
No airline in the world guarantees a particular plane type for a particular flight.
At least it was Avios which you can cancel as oppose a discounted cash fare which you cannot.
No airline in the world guarantees a particular plane type for a particular flight.
Oct 13, 2014, 6:54 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Programs: BAEC Gold [>20k Lifetime TPs] | Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond [as is Mrs PtF] | Various Others
Posts: 6,156
Equipment change has to be one area where QR has room for improvement.
This past Saturday Mrs PtF and I flew QR1303 DOH-CAI (J, operating as F); connecting from QR016 LHR-DOH.
At the time of booking my flight (seven weeks prior to travel) it was showing as being operated by a B773. A couple of weeks later this changed to an A346. By the time I checked-in on line on Thursday morning, it had changed to an A333. When we arrived at the gate on Saturday morning, it had changed to an A346 again!
The main problem for my wife and I was the fact that we were travelling on two separate booking references, so trying to maintain seats together was a headache.
This past Saturday Mrs PtF and I flew QR1303 DOH-CAI (J, operating as F); connecting from QR016 LHR-DOH.
At the time of booking my flight (seven weeks prior to travel) it was showing as being operated by a B773. A couple of weeks later this changed to an A346. By the time I checked-in on line on Thursday morning, it had changed to an A333. When we arrived at the gate on Saturday morning, it had changed to an A346 again!
The main problem for my wife and I was the fact that we were travelling on two separate booking references, so trying to maintain seats together was a headache.