Qatar and their ridiculous lack of communication
Jul 25, 2015, 11:32 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, BA, QR
Posts: 362
Qatar and their ridiculous lack of communication
Why is it when Qatar changes the details of a flight they don't inform their passengers? 
On two occasions before this Qatar has changed the schedule of one of our flights. This change is normally insignificant i.e. it changes a departure time from 19:00 to 19:05. However what does irritate me is that it resets all your seat choices for that leg.
We are departing in about 8 weeks to Europe and I checked our flight out of curiosity. The flight had changed and all our choices had been reset. On trying to reallocate my seat I discovered that the cabin is now full. We now have to sit in the two remaining seats in the cabin, on opposite sides of the aircraft. Highly highly unacceptable, when our original choice was perfect.
Compare this to my upcoming Emirates flight in December that was also slightly altered today. They sent me an email informing me of the change. Such a small yet major thing.
Wake up Qatar
On two occasions before this Qatar has changed the schedule of one of our flights. This change is normally insignificant i.e. it changes a departure time from 19:00 to 19:05. However what does irritate me is that it resets all your seat choices for that leg.
We are departing in about 8 weeks to Europe and I checked our flight out of curiosity. The flight had changed and all our choices had been reset. On trying to reallocate my seat I discovered that the cabin is now full. We now have to sit in the two remaining seats in the cabin, on opposite sides of the aircraft. Highly highly unacceptable, when our original choice was perfect.
Compare this to my upcoming Emirates flight in December that was also slightly altered today. They sent me an email informing me of the change. Such a small yet major thing.
Wake up Qatar
Jul 25, 2015, 4:03 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 74
Changes ntification
Easiest way to ensure you are notified of any changes to your flights is to download the "Myflights" app which automatically warns you of any changes to your upcoming flights no matter how insignificant . Great little app.
Jul 25, 2015, 6:54 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: PAR
Programs: QR Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,088
Jul 25, 2015, 8:12 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: LA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, Delta Platinum Medallion, AAdvantage Platinum Pro
Posts: 600
You still have a chance to get better seats at check-in : QR online check-in is supposed to be opened 36h before your first flight but the last time I did it, 1 month ago, it was opened 48h before and all previous blocked seats were opened (I don't know if it had something to do with my new Gold status or just a normal thing for everybody) : exit rows and, depending on aircraft model, the last 3 rows of the plane (which where blocked in case they need to carry a wounded person on a stretcher). So just set a reminder 48h prior to your flight and be the first to check-in to get the best seats !
Jul 26, 2015, 12:22 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, BA, QR
Posts: 362
You still have a chance to get better seats at check-in : QR online check-in is supposed to be opened 36h before your first flight but the last time I did it, 1 month ago, it was opened 48h before and all previous blocked seats were opened (I don't know if it had something to do with my new Gold status or just a normal thing for everybody) : exit rows and, depending on aircraft model, the last 3 rows of the plane (which where blocked in case they need to carry a wounded person on a stretcher). So just set a reminder 48h prior to your flight and be the first to check-in to get the best seats !
Jul 26, 2015, 2:51 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Norway
Programs: EBS, EY Gold Eite, EK Gold, QR Platinum, Accor Gold
Posts: 476
Hi SAtraveller!
In my experience, calling your nearest QR office would probably help you out with matters at this "level". I did so with a couple of issues last week, and it was all solved within minutes. They are realy improving!😊
On my last two cases of changes in dep.times, i have also been duly noticed by email. So when calling, raise the issue and ask them to check out you emailadress.
In my experience, calling your nearest QR office would probably help you out with matters at this "level". I did so with a couple of issues last week, and it was all solved within minutes. They are realy improving!😊
On my last two cases of changes in dep.times, i have also been duly noticed by email. So when calling, raise the issue and ask them to check out you emailadress.
Jul 26, 2015, 4:42 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Jul 26, 2015, 4:54 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 674
Another vote for the my flights app. Informs you quicker than the airlines 100% of the time (when the airlines bother to inform you at all it seems!).
It will also alert you for things like aircraft swaps and seats being changed, stuff that you would never get a notification from the airline for.
It will also alert you for things like aircraft swaps and seats being changed, stuff that you would never get a notification from the airline for.
Jul 26, 2015, 9:02 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,118
Why is it when Qatar changes the details of a flight they don't inform their passengers?
On two occasions before this Qatar has changed the schedule of one of our flights. This change is normally insignificant i.e. it changes a departure time from 19:00 to 19:05. However what does irritate me is that it resets all your seat choices for that leg.
We are departing in about 8 weeks to Europe and I checked our flight out of curiosity. The flight had changed and all our choices had been reset. On trying to reallocate my seat I discovered that the cabin is now full. We now have to sit in the two remaining seats in the cabin, on opposite sides of the aircraft. Highly highly unacceptable, when our original choice was perfect.
Compare this to my upcoming Emirates flight in December that was also slightly altered today. They sent me an email informing me of the change. Such a small yet major thing.
Wake up Qatar
On two occasions before this Qatar has changed the schedule of one of our flights. This change is normally insignificant i.e. it changes a departure time from 19:00 to 19:05. However what does irritate me is that it resets all your seat choices for that leg.
We are departing in about 8 weeks to Europe and I checked our flight out of curiosity. The flight had changed and all our choices had been reset. On trying to reallocate my seat I discovered that the cabin is now full. We now have to sit in the two remaining seats in the cabin, on opposite sides of the aircraft. Highly highly unacceptable, when our original choice was perfect.
Compare this to my upcoming Emirates flight in December that was also slightly altered today. They sent me an email informing me of the change. Such a small yet major thing.
Wake up Qatar
Jul 27, 2015, 7:33 am
#12
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Bath, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,000
It seems that the lack of notification is origin based. South Africa it appears that they never advise of time changes (as I have discovered on numerous flights originating from South Africa). Yet others who booked from say the UK, Scandinavia, France etc do seem to get advised. Someone mentioned it was the responsibility of the office in the origin country to make the notification....
Aug 7, 2015, 2:47 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: LGW / MAN / MAD
Programs: BA/BMI/RZGP Gold, AA/Amex Plat, IC Plat RA, HH Diamond, VS Silver
Posts: 3,511
Thank you 
Just to say for anyone that hasn't been able to use My Flights App due to not being on an Apple device, you can now sign up and use the web version if you want at https://myaccount.myflightsapp.com
Just to say for anyone that hasn't been able to use My Flights App due to not being on an Apple device, you can now sign up and use the web version if you want at https://myaccount.myflightsapp.com
Aug 7, 2015, 4:09 am
#14
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: PC(QR), IB, CX Marco Polo, SAA Voyager
Posts: 220
Fully agree that QR does not inform us of changes at all. We are based in Johannesburg and whether this is the reason, I do not know. Having read in Flyertalk about Checkmytrip.com, we gave it a try and have never looked back. Register on that website and everytime you have a new trip, add it on. It will send you an e-mail if there is any change.
Aug 7, 2015, 4:18 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: LGW / MAN / MAD
Programs: BA/BMI/RZGP Gold, AA/Amex Plat, IC Plat RA, HH Diamond, VS Silver
Posts: 3,511
Fully agree that QR does not inform us of changes at all. We are based in Johannesburg and whether this is the reason, I do not know. Having read in Flyertalk about Checkmytrip.com, we gave it a try and have never looked back. Register on that website and everytime you have a new trip, add it on. It will send you an e-mail if there is any change.