Someone from this forum (Sixth Freedom possibly?) was part of the decision making process into launching an all Business Class flight to Doha - so sure we'll get some insight.
However, pie in the sky thoughts - the timings meant it was directly at people looking to get a full working day in Doha (or very nearby states/countries) and there were minimal longhaul connections to the outbound flights.
Which meant that ultimately the 20-40% connecting traffic which may have helped it survive quite simply didn't exist. Not sure that adding a 787 to the route helps - looking at 08:45 onwards departure bank from Doha (flight arrives 07:35) you have Dubai, Tunis, Jeddah, Bahrain, and then nothing until 12:00 (Dubai again). Are these onward destinations (and of course Doha) sufficient to sustain this time slot departure from Heathrow with a 787?
Suggest a later timed BKK departure maybe required...
From memory the only flight that EK operates that doesn't have any connection with the Europe inbound banks is a solitary Jakarta flight - but that is always full of local workers.
Last edited by Sam Bee; Jul 1, 2015 at 5:29 am