75% of my flights with equipment changes J Class
I appreciate that there is a specific thread on the DOH-BKK route, but this is a bigger issue for me, and I don’t expect I will get much sympathy or agreement!
So I am going to Asia for business, now my normal ‘go to’ is EK but I want to try QR out again as last time they were excellent. Looking at the flight from LHR to BKK there were a number of equipment options which I could go for, but I specifically opted for the A380 because of the seats and the bar. Also the 777 because of the new suite in J.
So my route equipment was as follows
LHR – DOH A380
DOH – BKK A380
BKK – DOH A380
DOH – LHR B773
So, all in a really good trip with really good, new, aircraft and flights specifically chosen and paid for those reasons. (I know you know what’s coming)
So I now find out that all but 1 of my flights has changed equipment, with a bit of luck I should have the new suites on the way home. Now I am not in the latest seats, with a bar to socialise in, but in 777 with 6 abreast seating and old seats. I know you may be shouting FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS but the way I think of it is that I specifically paid and chose those aircraft and seats. I was completely flexible on times but I chose those for a reason. As I see it the product which I have chosen has changed, with no word or notification from QR. I fully appreciate that its going to be in the T&C somewhere that they can do this.
If we look at other commercial examples, going to the cinema for example. You book the ‘posh’ seats that recline, and you get free popcorn and drinks. You pay for these upfront, only to find that when you arrive they have had to change screens and the new screen doesn’t offer the ‘posh’ seats and you get a lesser quality substitute. You wouldn’t just accept it would you, or if you did you would be expected to be compensated for the change at least.
I have been trying to think where in the world you could get away by offering one product at the point of transaction but not having the facility to ever deliver – and not have the ‘balls’ to notify the consumer!
Rant over. Thoughts?
I am an idiot, I know. (my wife tells me that)