When I ditched SAA some years ago, I looked at both EK and QR. QR offered the same fares to Europe from CPT as EK, but only with ridiculous connections (>8 hours). Better connections (if available) were always much more expensive than EK (talking J here). So we became form EK customers. We fly mainly to AMS and LGW and with QR now having started a LGW service I'll look at it again. But it would have to be significantly more attractive price wise to make me switch. Sure, the EK 77W J seat / layout is not the best in the sky, but I can sleep comfortably in it. In the end (although I am a self confessed avgeek), it is still a mode or transport to me and as such schedule plays an important role. With three daily CPT and LGW and 2 daily AMS rotations I find EK generally a far better bet.

(wonders when he will have to eat his words......)