I thought I'd better report back after my trip:

No seat assignment for Indigo's QR passengers got me out of bed and at the airport early to check in for DOH BOM. An entire row of check-in positions was open, half of them 6E-designated, the rest QR. The usual QR-nonsense about needing to see a physical ticket soured the process, but I grabbed the best available, low-20's aisle seat.

No problem at all accessing the Platinum lounge as a QR-Plat.

Bus boarding, of course, and a full flight. Cabin crew got involved in a grossly inefficient system of distributing instant noodle pots to those entitled to them, while moving the trolleys up and down to allow passengers to get access to the toilets.

All in all, and apart from the early start, it was fine.


Chennai to Doha was the same early start, unhappily directed to the wrong terminal by both the QR call centre (T4) and surprisingly by 6E agents (T1). In fact the flight leaves from T2.

MAA's T2 is a very large and very empty terminal: distractions revolve around phone charging and people-watching. There's a third-party lounge, with no way in for QR elites. The flight was fine in an aisle seat, and the meal was a simpler sandwich box, so cabin-crew and the aisle were freed up quickly.

Neither of the flights attracted any avios or Q-thingies. A post-trip chat with CS at least got me the avios.

The big thing in favour of taking the 6E operated services over QR's own is the schedule (QR's timings are punishing).


QR wanted extra capacity on their Indian network. Given the combination of aircraft availability and unattractive revenue generation of (most) Indian routes a code-share-light arrangement was the solution QR came up with. It's a shame they decided to partner with a low-cost carrier, though after they opted for a form of code-share, their partner choice was limited. They could, however manage arrangements better, so that QR passengers enjoy the benefits 6E offers its own passengers (seat selection, online check-in etc).