Can BA learn anything from QR?
Feb 4, 2019, 7:39 am
#61
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA GGL & GfL, AA LTP, Marriott (sigh) Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,237
yes a f/a friend who worked for QR was once written up for not smiling at certain points in the service. of course this led to his quick departure and eventual placement with EK.
so aside from workers rights in the entire region (i have done a handful of construction projects in dubai and the conditions shocked me on what was being guaranteed by the dubai authorities...)
back on topic--after a half dozen longhaul J returns on QR i value most (compared to BA):
(1) catering, options and service -- overall a massive step forward
(2) seating of course. even the A330 which is 2-2-2 is still more comfy than BA
(3) de-planing by stairs and at their hub a separate bus for J pax! it blew my mind when this first happened. what is the point landing at LHR on a 777 or 747 in J or F and deplaning by stairs (ugh) while you wait for everyone else to load up and the sprint to border control?
so aside from workers rights in the entire region (i have done a handful of construction projects in dubai and the conditions shocked me on what was being guaranteed by the dubai authorities...)
back on topic--after a half dozen longhaul J returns on QR i value most (compared to BA):
(1) catering, options and service -- overall a massive step forward
(2) seating of course. even the A330 which is 2-2-2 is still more comfy than BA
(3) de-planing by stairs and at their hub a separate bus for J pax! it blew my mind when this first happened. what is the point landing at LHR on a 777 or 747 in J or F and deplaning by stairs (ugh) while you wait for everyone else to load up and the sprint to border control?
Feb 4, 2019, 8:21 am
#62
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 73
My first QR experience will be an ARN-DOH-SIN return in J. I'll get to try A350-900 (without QSuite), A350-1000 (with QSuite) and 787. I'm also excited to try the DOH lounge.
The highlight so far is being able to select seats from the time of booking regardless of OW status. Something a lot of FT'ers forget.
The highlight so far is being able to select seats from the time of booking regardless of OW status. Something a lot of FT'ers forget.
Feb 4, 2019, 8:30 am
#63
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,557
Personally, I have been escorted to my seat on almost every QR sector.
I think that there are several reasons.
The staffing ratio in J is indeed higher.
Boarding usually starts very early with J pax boarding first.
There are clearly a lot of FAs at the door, possibly because they temporarily move Y FAs to the front.
Feb 4, 2019, 8:39 am
#64
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
Indeed.
Personally, I have been escorted to my seat on almost every QR sector.
I think that there are several reasons.
The staffing ratio in J is indeed higher.
Boarding usually starts very early with J pax boarding first.
There are clearly a lot of FAs at the door, possibly because they temporarily move Y FAs to the front.
Personally, I have been escorted to my seat on almost every QR sector.
I think that there are several reasons.
The staffing ratio in J is indeed higher.
Boarding usually starts very early with J pax boarding first.
There are clearly a lot of FAs at the door, possibly because they temporarily move Y FAs to the front.
Feb 4, 2019, 8:52 am
#65
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
It's a tricky one. There are reasons why there are rules against state aid, because ultimately you end up in a worse situation. It's very hard to compete against someone who has an unfair advantage, just ask any of Lance Armstrong's competitors in the TdF.
I also think that people forget that QR doesn't compete on many of BA's core markets, and they have a JV so as I previously said, they don't compete. I'm not saying that BA is way ahead of the competition on its other markets (i know it's not), but it's much closer.
And lastly, it's something that is often overlooked, but the number of J seats on a BA plane vs. other airlines is immense. Which other airlines have 14F and 86J seats on a single aircraft? It just shows the type of market BA serves, but ultimately you lose the feeling of exclusivity when you're sharing it with 85 other passengers.
I also think that people forget that QR doesn't compete on many of BA's core markets, and they have a JV so as I previously said, they don't compete. I'm not saying that BA is way ahead of the competition on its other markets (i know it's not), but it's much closer.
And lastly, it's something that is often overlooked, but the number of J seats on a BA plane vs. other airlines is immense. Which other airlines have 14F and 86J seats on a single aircraft? It just shows the type of market BA serves, but ultimately you lose the feeling of exclusivity when you're sharing it with 85 other passengers.
Anyone who thinks BA can operate a highly profitable business ran along the same lines as QR must be very naïve. For years the EU Commission have been investigating the Gulf carriers and will continue to do so. That tells me something isn't right.
Feb 4, 2019, 9:15 am
#66
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 103
for last year I traveled with 2 kids (3 and 6) 12 time on BA Y and never get anything for kids from crew, I remember they few years ago older one had book and crayons but not any more. Then we flu with QR we got lunch box for kids, mascot and activity book....for me is big difference, but still my older one love BA maybe because our 70% flights was with them and he is closing to 200 flights total 
Feb 4, 2019, 9:29 am
#68
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
Speaking of which. I just popped over to the Qatar/Privilege Club forum and saw it's even quieter than the Emirates forum.
I know the QR reward programme isn't up to much but apart from all their customers being on the BA forum why the lack of discussion about the airline on its own forum?
Feb 4, 2019, 9:49 am
#69
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,179
I trust he's in your BAEC Household Account?
Speaking of which. I just popped over to the Qatar/Privilege Club forum and saw it's even quieter than the Emirates forum.
I know the QR reward programme isn't up to much but apart from all their customers being on the BA forum why the lack of discussion about the airline on its own forum?
Speaking of which. I just popped over to the Qatar/Privilege Club forum and saw it's even quieter than the Emirates forum.
I know the QR reward programme isn't up to much but apart from all their customers being on the BA forum why the lack of discussion about the airline on its own forum?
Feb 4, 2019, 11:22 am
#71
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Dundee
Programs: BA Plastic. HH Diamond. Speedwell Bar Lifetime Platinum.
Posts: 1,425
If everyone based their travel habits on ethics - I would suggest there would be few destinations left to consider or national carriers to get you there!
I fail to see the difference between boycotting an airline because their employee and general rights are allegedly not up to scratch, and the majority of those who are critical of QR buying the petrol refined from oil from these regions, wear designer clothes stitched together by kids in an Asian sweat shop and purchase domestic goods from the likes of China who are hardly squeaky clean with respect to human rights.
So long as the price is right, or we need a specific item, then many of us seem to climb down from the moral high ground when it suits.
I fail to see the difference between boycotting an airline because their employee and general rights are allegedly not up to scratch, and the majority of those who are critical of QR buying the petrol refined from oil from these regions, wear designer clothes stitched together by kids in an Asian sweat shop and purchase domestic goods from the likes of China who are hardly squeaky clean with respect to human rights.
So long as the price is right, or we need a specific item, then many of us seem to climb down from the moral high ground when it suits.
Perhaps it's me cutting off my nose to spite my face, but there's no way I'll fly a middle eastern carrier for their human rights practices. Or Ryanair as I can't stand MoL as I don't like his practices either.
Feb 4, 2019, 11:30 am
#72
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
Feb 4, 2019, 11:38 am
#73
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,646
and those levels are not unsurprising given the difference in CC cost for the airline... I know whom I’d rather work for looking at this summary Qatar Airways Cabin Crew / Flight Attendant Salary, Roster and Working Conditions
An oft thrown around number for MF (as we all know the only way to now get a job with BA) is ca. £20k per annum. That’s is the equivalent of £17k post tax. Your page links to a figure which gives ca. £15.6k post tax pay in DOH (given it is all non-taxed). In addition apparently you get shared accommodation. Let’s call that the equivalent of £500/month around London. That’s equivalent to £6k net pay/£7k gross roughly. So QR apparently pays its entry cabin crew better than IAG.
Yes, someone will now say they’re under constant supervision but if all media is to be believed, apparently BA doesn’t even hire crew who can’t apply make-up correctly...
Feb 4, 2019, 12:01 pm
#74
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,756
Anyone here who is saying they won't fly with QR due to ME human rights issues might want to check if they have a Chinese-made iPhone (or many other Chinese products) in their possession. Where their clothes are made - Pakistan? India? Another sub continent sweat-shop? Did you vote for a government that deals in arms sales to Saudi Arabia? Have you ever flown Ryan Air? How's that Beko appliance going - you know, the one made in Turkey?
Actually, have a look here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catego...ion_by_country - and decide where not to spend your money or partake of their hospitality.
Hmmm.... a holiday in Bognor anyone?
Actually, have a look here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catego...ion_by_country - and decide where not to spend your money or partake of their hospitality.
Hmmm.... a holiday in Bognor anyone?
Feb 4, 2019, 12:10 pm
#75
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
Rumour has it that the ice cream vendors down there are running a right scam : charging full price for a ‘99 with chocolate flake’ - but then only putting in the bit that sticks out at the top.