QR A380 to Australia
Feb 3, 2015, 3:45 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CDG
Programs: QRPC Polonium
Posts: 99
QR A380 to Australia
Does anyone know if QR plans to put its A380 on its MEL route (like EK & EY on their respective australian destinations)?
After flying, CPH-DOH-MEL in J at a discounted price, I feel that there is a let down in hardware quality when transferring from a 787/A350/A380 to a 777.
Admittedly, the J seat on the 777 is horizontal and comfortable but the lack of privacy (the divider is a joke) and no direct aisle access for boxed-in window seats passengers is not on par with modern cabin layouts.
After flying, CPH-DOH-MEL in J at a discounted price, I feel that there is a let down in hardware quality when transferring from a 787/A350/A380 to a 777.
Admittedly, the J seat on the 777 is horizontal and comfortable but the lack of privacy (the divider is a joke) and no direct aisle access for boxed-in window seats passengers is not on par with modern cabin layouts.
Feb 16, 2015, 9:44 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London, UK and Occitanie, France
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 517
QR A380 to Australia
I had the same experience- to be fair it is still a very comfortable ride and great service. But the new A380 seats and overall J experience were really fantastic. I only wish the CDG-DOH was in the 773 and the DOH-MEL was in the 380!
Feb 17, 2015, 1:19 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: QR Gold, BAEC, Marriott Rewards Gold, SPG Gold
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As someone who travels with my wife in QR J, mainly for leisure, I much prefer the 777 over the 380; the feeling of space around you is (in my opinion of course) much better than the isolation & relatively boxed-in feeling of the 380 seat. Different for solo fliers of course.
I'm 6ft 2ins tall & my wife, who normally sits in the window seat, has never had a problem getting around me even with the seat completely horizontal. It is a bit of a squeeze though.
Feb 17, 2015, 2:16 am
#4
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It becomes an issue when your seatmate is a complete stranger.
Feb 17, 2015, 2:44 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2010
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If Mrs IM couldn't get past when I'm asleep she'd have to wake or step across me, just like anyone else. As it happens she, or anyone else, can squeeze past when desired.
Feb 17, 2015, 4:29 am
#6
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Hopping over/jumping over/sliding past/interrupting the viewing/eating/sleeping of a seatmate is therefore a much larger intrusion when that person is a stranger. Even for someone nimble of foot and lithe and dextrous, sliding past a stranger is never going to be quite the same experience as sliding past a partner.
That Qatar's J seating arrangement (2-2-2) therefore even allows that strangers can be thrust together in this way is, as the OP said, clearly a step down from the 787/A380 arrangement where each J passenger has direct aisle access.
Feb 17, 2015, 6:19 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: QR Gold, BAEC, Marriott Rewards Gold, SPG Gold
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I think most travellers would prefer an empty seat beside them if they were not travelling with a friend/colleague/partner, rather than have it occupied by a stranger. It's just human nature. Even better - no seat at all, or direct access to the aisle from every seat.
Hopping over/jumping over/sliding past/interrupting the viewing/eating/sleeping of a seatmate is therefore a much larger intrusion when that person is a stranger. Even for someone nimble of foot and lithe and dextrous, sliding past a stranger is never going to be quite the same experience as sliding past a partner.
That Qatar's J seating arrangement (2-2-2) therefore even allows that strangers can be thrust together in this way is, as the OP said, clearly a step down from the 787/A380 arrangement where each J passenger has direct aisle access.
Hopping over/jumping over/sliding past/interrupting the viewing/eating/sleeping of a seatmate is therefore a much larger intrusion when that person is a stranger. Even for someone nimble of foot and lithe and dextrous, sliding past a stranger is never going to be quite the same experience as sliding past a partner.
That Qatar's J seating arrangement (2-2-2) therefore even allows that strangers can be thrust together in this way is, as the OP said, clearly a step down from the 787/A380 arrangement where each J passenger has direct aisle access.
Like I said, everyone has their favourite aircraft...
Feb 18, 2015, 1:38 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CDG
Programs: QRPC Polonium
Posts: 99
QR A380 to Down-Under
Would you know by chance if there is any plan to retrofit the 777 to the newest J offering ?
For One World captive travellers, shuttling between Europe & Australia, QR J is miles above BA, and the pricing is almost identical.
One option to avoid the 777, is to fly QR from [insert your origin] to DOH, then transfer to CX for a comfortable ride via HKG. It certainly adds to the travel time but the hardware & service are great on all flights, and the mileage accrual is higher.
Nov 5, 2015, 5:32 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2010
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I predict that QR will deploy their A380 to Melbourne in the next 12-18 months.
This is not based on anything I have heard, but rather my personal analysis of the Australian aviation market and QR's need for competition with EK and EY.
This is not based on anything I have heard, but rather my personal analysis of the Australian aviation market and QR's need for competition with EK and EY.
Nov 10, 2015, 9:21 am
#15
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I believe it's due to the amount of cargo that QR transport to the USA. A 777-300 has more space for cargo than an A380.