Qatar to Oz in Economy
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,629
You can check the loads on Expertflyer at check-in or directly ask if there is an empty row. If you go for the bulkhead or emergency seats you will have more legroom, but most likely no chance of getting a whole row to yourself as these tend to be at the back of the bus.
Long-haul in Y is all about managing expectations. Don't expect great food or champagne!
Ask for a bottle of water when boarding so you can stay hydrated and if you can get a free row, it is better than a middle seat on BA premium economy already :P
Long-haul in Y is all about managing expectations. Don't expect great food or champagne!
Ask for a bottle of water when boarding so you can stay hydrated and if you can get a free row, it is better than a middle seat on BA premium economy already :P
#17
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Lisboa, PT
Programs: QRPC Silver, BA Silver
Posts: 243
sam Not sure if its changed since my last reward booking which was J -class DXB-DOH-LAX in Nov 16 - but when you book a reward ticket it doesn't actually show your status on the printed out sheets the crew get. I got pretty bored on the ~16hr flight DOH-LAX so was asking the crew about it and they didn't have anything down for me - even though obviously booked through my plat FF account. Apparently this is normal.
I think i remember them saying if you want it added you have to tell them at the check in desk... strange I know! I think this peculiarity only applies to the aircraft not any other part.
I'll standby for other FTers experiences but it certainly happened to me and I was told that was the norm! One to bear in mind anyway!
I think i remember them saying if you want it added you have to tell them at the check in desk... strange I know! I think this peculiarity only applies to the aircraft not any other part.
I'll standby for other FTers experiences but it certainly happened to me and I was told that was the norm! One to bear in mind anyway!
#18
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 795
sam Not sure if its changed since my last reward booking which was J -class DXB-DOH-LAX in Nov 16 - but when you book a reward ticket it doesn't actually show your status on the printed out sheets the crew get. I got pretty bored on the ~16hr flight DOH-LAX so was asking the crew about it and they didn't have anything down for me - even though obviously booked through my plat FF account. Apparently this is normal.
I think i remember them saying if you want it added you have to tell them at the check in desk... strange I know! I think this peculiarity only applies to the aircraft not any other part.
I'll standby for other FTers experiences but it certainly happened to me and I was told that was the norm! One to bear in mind anyway!
I think i remember them saying if you want it added you have to tell them at the check in desk... strange I know! I think this peculiarity only applies to the aircraft not any other part.
I'll standby for other FTers experiences but it certainly happened to me and I was told that was the norm! One to bear in mind anyway!
#19
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Brasil/Spain (but a heart in Scotland)
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, Iberia Oro, SkyTeam - Elite Plus, Le Club Accor - Platinum
Posts: 408
Having just used the 'First Class' lounge for Emerald's at Doha, I have to admit to being very pleasantly surprised. Having read nothing but negative reviews, I was expecting very little, but it was actually more than acceptable (In terms of environment, I preferred to Galleries First at LHR, tbh).
#20
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Zurich area
Posts: 302
Having just used the 'First Class' lounge for Emerald's at Doha, I have to admit to being very pleasantly surprised. Having read nothing but negative reviews, I was expecting very little, but it was actually more than acceptable (In terms of environment, I preferred to Galleries First at LHR, tbh).
I was totally fine with the Louis Tavern in BKK as it has some wine (don't care about brand) and a room where I could smoke. Others don't smoke and require Krug on free flow.
That's why I am trying to find video footage of seat and lounges I might book. Just to see if it is good for my requirements.
#21
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: LHR
Programs: QR Platinum, WY Gold, Shangri-la Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,151
You're very welcome!
I'd rate the MH lounge above the SkyTeam lounge; quite pleasant with OK F&B, has fantastic views across LHR & is likely to be a lot closer to the QR gate. However, as you're aware even if the MH lounge is closed you won't exactly be slumming it in the ST lounge. Neither are a match for the QR lounge of course.
'Enjoy' your flights in Y, though I'm not sure that's the appropriate word!
I'd rate the MH lounge above the SkyTeam lounge; quite pleasant with OK F&B, has fantastic views across LHR & is likely to be a lot closer to the QR gate. However, as you're aware even if the MH lounge is closed you won't exactly be slumming it in the ST lounge. Neither are a match for the QR lounge of course.
'Enjoy' your flights in Y, though I'm not sure that's the appropriate word!
Happy to be corrected if this is wrong though
#22
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Zurich area
Posts: 302
It may be outdated information, but according to the MH website, the MH lounge opens 3 hours prior to departure. So with the evening MH departure normally scheduled around 9-10pm I don't think the MH lounge will be open for the 4pm QR departure. Hence why I've never managed to try the MH lounge, as I'm generally on an afternoon departure from LHR.
Happy to be corrected if this is wrong though
Happy to be corrected if this is wrong though
#23
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: LHR
Programs: QR Platinum, WY Gold, Shangri-la Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,151
Ooh, interesting! I've always just gone by the MH website - but in that case I'm heading to the Golden lounge to check it out next time
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Cambridge, UK
Programs: Qantas Gold; BA Silver; Virgin Australia Platinum; Virgin Atlantic Gold
Posts: 341
I booked the upgradable economy ticket Lon to syd and they put in a request to release upgrade availability. It came back with no. I asked if they would check first (for Sydney leg only as I'm aware that you can't upgrade to first for London). The agent said that double upgrades were not possible. If this is the case then why does qcalculator give a price for a double upgrade?
#25
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
sam the PC rules are very clear that two cabin class upgrades are not permitted. But on some regional flights there is no J cabin just Y and F. In these cases, and only in these cases, upgrades from Y to F are permitted as the next higher available cabin class.
Thus the Q calculator has to also take account of those flights, of which there are normally a large number.
Thus the Q calculator has to also take account of those flights, of which there are normally a large number.
#26
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Lisboa, PT
Programs: QRPC Silver, BA Silver
Posts: 243
You are right though sam - although what remdk states is the black and white rule; when it prices a 'double upgrade' on non-regional routes (i.e. that with a 3-class aircraft, not the 2 class regionals) it is rather confusing as it also says you can't double upgrade (2 classes) in the rules. I actually once managed a Y to F upgrade in the airport in DOH using miles (don't ask how -I still don't even know myself! and it wasn't any form of op-up!)
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Cambridge, UK
Programs: Qantas Gold; BA Silver; Virgin Australia Platinum; Virgin Atlantic Gold
Posts: 341
You are right though sam - although what remdk states is the black and white rule; when it prices a 'double upgrade' on non-regional routes (i.e. that with a 3-class aircraft, not the 2 class regionals) it is rather confusing as it also says you can't double upgrade (2 classes) in the rules. I actually once managed a Y to F upgrade in the airport in DOH using miles (don't ask how -I still don't even know myself! and it wasn't any form of op-up!)
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Cambridge, UK
Programs: Qantas Gold; BA Silver; Virgin Australia Platinum; Virgin Atlantic Gold
Posts: 341
#30
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SE ASIA
Programs: SQ KF GO, OZ GO, QR PC PLAT, TG ROP SL, LCAH SL, IHG SPIRE, Marriott BONVOY GO, HILTON GO
Posts: 641
My 2 cents ..
The QR lounge staff are fantastic! I understand some people may not like the attentive table service but I find that way more acceptable than the surly front desk Chinese "Aunty" (she ain't no lady) at the MH lounge.
She shouldn't be in a customer facing role at all.
The SkyTeam lounge is pretty good too but I think the winner IMO, is the QR lounge because of the awesome staff.