Originally Posted by
Adam Shaw
Hi QR Forum,
So I posted this on the CX forum but following a lot of discussion I still have some questions that QR folks may be able to answer and put my mind at rest.
I booked an OSL to HKG via Doha Ex-Eu on Cathay's website when the sale was on and got a great deal. £1k per pax which also includes a PEK to HKG on the way back using CX744 (probably another mistake!) – will be booking the HKG to PEK using rewards.
Obviously as we all know CX have now cancelled this route as of Feb (my flights are at easter) and Qatar will be doing it instead. My itinerary has self-updated and I still have the 788 to Doha with the same transit times as before – There are new flights from QR but with CX flight numbers.
The whole thing is that I really was looking forward to trying the CX333 as it’s the top tier reverse herringbone product. Now however, I have the QR332. Looking on QR's site all flights from Doha to HKG will now be on 332s (according to QR’s site, with 165 degree recline as in, the crusty old J product, old IFE etc - all bad news!) -
I’m going to make sure I book my reward from HKG to PEK on a CX333 or 777!
My question's (probably fairly predictable)
I’m aware that QR started refurbishing 7 or so planes as of last year…what are the chances these planes will be used on this route?
How bad is the old 332 product and is the refurbished version noticeably better?
Finally, what are the chances of this whole thing changing again and being a different QR plane with the reverse herringbone a la 788/380?
Hi Adam,
Welcome to the QR Forum.
In terms of your queries, QR have refurbished 9 (I believe) of their A330-220's. As and when more are refurbished, this link will be updated -
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...ays-fleet.html
In terms of the HKG flights, in my experience, I have only ever flown the refurbished J cabin. I've flown on five or six HKG-DOH flights, and all had the newer product, so hopefully you will too. There is a noticeable difference in terms of the old and refurbished, but I wouldn't worry. Come February, most (if not all) will have been updated.
With regards to QR changing aircraft, it would make sense for them to move to a 787/A350. There has been some talk on the BA Forum, that QR only flew the A330-200 because CX stated (as part of the codeshare), that they had the newer and better aircraft. Now that CX are no longer involved in the route, it could allow QR to change the airframe they use.
However, you have plenty of time before your flights, and I would think positively.