Nov 5, 2015, 10:10 am
Last edit by: Matt4
QR to and from Bangkok
What to expect
A recent trip report for this journey, can be found here:
Photos of the Cabin
You will find photos galore of the J cabin on the A380 and 777 which are some of the aircrafts QR use on the DOH-BKK-DOH route.
You will find photos galore of the F cabin on the A380 here.
Aircraft Layouts
A380: 1-2-1 layout in F and J, 3-4-3 (Lower deck) and 2-4-2 (Upper deck, only accessible for OneWorld status passengers unless the lower deck is full) in Y
787: 1-2-1 layout in J and 3-3-3 in Y
777: 2-2-2 layout in J, 3-3-3 or 3-4-3 (QR834 DOH-BKK-HAN, QR835 HAN-BKK-DOH) in Y
A340-600: 2-2-2 layout in J and 2-4-2 in Y
Which Lounge should I use at BKK?
There are multiple lounges to use in Bangkok, and the best option for you will likely be determined by the time of your flight, and the location of your departure gate.
QR are in the process of opening their own lounge in Bangkok, but as of April 2016, we know very little other than it will be located on Concourse D. Until then, QR recommend J and F passengers use the lounges provided by Thai Airways. These lounges are scattered throughout the airport.
For F passengers, you will get an invitation to use the Thai Airways Royal First Lounge, which is located on Concourse E. It is a small area, but QR no longer have an Agreement to use the larger Thai Airways Royal First Lounge on Concourse D. The small area is roped off, and there is a small menu (no buffet), with a decent drinks selection.
For J passengers, and Y passengers with status (Silver and higher) you will receive an invitation to use the Thai Airways Royal Silk Lounge. These are located on Concourse C, Concourse D, and Concourse E. A map of the lounges can be found here.
OneWorld Emerald or Sapphire card holders or F or J passengers have also access to two lounges situated on or near the 3rd floor, Concourse G: the recently-opened (2015) Cathay Pacific Lounge (04:00 to between 18:30 and 01:00), and the Japan Airlines lounge (05:45-09:55, 18:00-00:40). While the CX and JL lounges are quite close together, they can be a distance from the QR gates - so keep an eye on the time!
Connecting from Thai (TG) domestic
Thai will through check-in your bags and facilitate you as a "CIQ" passenger through an airside transfer at BKK. They will do this even if you are travelling to BKK on a completely separate TG ticket, but you will need to show evidence of the QR flight (ticket number or online check-in receipt). This is based on leaving from Chiang Mai, but should work for other Thai airports.
The process is particularly useful in avoiding security queues landside to airside at BKK, and gets neatly around QR's restrictions on check-in opening times at the airport.
CIQ stands for Customs Immigration and Quarantine: nothing to do with Chiquimula airport in Guatamala
Will I be given pyjamas and an amenity kit? Reports vary, but have a look at this thread before flying to prepare your expectations -
What meals are served? This is dependent on the timing of your flight and class of travel, but 1 or 2 full meals are usually offered by QR. Menus can be found via the QR Dashboard. F menus and Y menus are here.
Will I be offered Fast-Track through Immigration?
- Departure from BKK : you will get a Fast-Track (Premium Lane) voucher if travelling in J or F, or travelling in Y with Silver, Gold or Platinum status.
- Arrival to BKK : if you are traveling in J or F, you will be provided with a Fast-Track voucher upon landing in Bangkok. Hold on to your boarding pass as you deplane, as the brown Fast Track vouchers are sometimes given out at the top of the gate rather than on the plane. If you are traveling in Y with Silver, Gold or Platinum status, you have to request the Fast-Track voucher at the QR agent at the gate.
What time does check-in open? Check in opens 3 hours before your departure time. QR police this quite strictly.
What to expect
A recent trip report for this journey, can be found here:
Photos of the Cabin
You will find photos galore of the J cabin on the A380 and 777 which are some of the aircrafts QR use on the DOH-BKK-DOH route.
You will find photos galore of the F cabin on the A380 here.
Aircraft Layouts
A380: 1-2-1 layout in F and J, 3-4-3 (Lower deck) and 2-4-2 (Upper deck, only accessible for OneWorld status passengers unless the lower deck is full) in Y
787: 1-2-1 layout in J and 3-3-3 in Y
777: 2-2-2 layout in J, 3-3-3 or 3-4-3 (QR834 DOH-BKK-HAN, QR835 HAN-BKK-DOH) in Y
A340-600: 2-2-2 layout in J and 2-4-2 in Y
Which Lounge should I use at BKK?
There are multiple lounges to use in Bangkok, and the best option for you will likely be determined by the time of your flight, and the location of your departure gate.
QR are in the process of opening their own lounge in Bangkok, but as of April 2016, we know very little other than it will be located on Concourse D. Until then, QR recommend J and F passengers use the lounges provided by Thai Airways. These lounges are scattered throughout the airport.
For F passengers, you will get an invitation to use the Thai Airways Royal First Lounge, which is located on Concourse E. It is a small area, but QR no longer have an Agreement to use the larger Thai Airways Royal First Lounge on Concourse D. The small area is roped off, and there is a small menu (no buffet), with a decent drinks selection.
For J passengers, and Y passengers with status (Silver and higher) you will receive an invitation to use the Thai Airways Royal Silk Lounge. These are located on Concourse C, Concourse D, and Concourse E. A map of the lounges can be found here.
OneWorld Emerald or Sapphire card holders or F or J passengers have also access to two lounges situated on or near the 3rd floor, Concourse G: the recently-opened (2015) Cathay Pacific Lounge (04:00 to between 18:30 and 01:00), and the Japan Airlines lounge (05:45-09:55, 18:00-00:40). While the CX and JL lounges are quite close together, they can be a distance from the QR gates - so keep an eye on the time!
Connecting from Thai (TG) domestic
Thai will through check-in your bags and facilitate you as a "CIQ" passenger through an airside transfer at BKK. They will do this even if you are travelling to BKK on a completely separate TG ticket, but you will need to show evidence of the QR flight (ticket number or online check-in receipt). This is based on leaving from Chiang Mai, but should work for other Thai airports.
The process is particularly useful in avoiding security queues landside to airside at BKK, and gets neatly around QR's restrictions on check-in opening times at the airport.
CIQ stands for Customs Immigration and Quarantine: nothing to do with Chiquimula airport in Guatamala
Will I be given pyjamas and an amenity kit? Reports vary, but have a look at this thread before flying to prepare your expectations -
What meals are served? This is dependent on the timing of your flight and class of travel, but 1 or 2 full meals are usually offered by QR. Menus can be found via the QR Dashboard. F menus and Y menus are here.
Will I be offered Fast-Track through Immigration?
- Departure from BKK : you will get a Fast-Track (Premium Lane) voucher if travelling in J or F, or travelling in Y with Silver, Gold or Platinum status.
- Arrival to BKK : if you are traveling in J or F, you will be provided with a Fast-Track voucher upon landing in Bangkok. Hold on to your boarding pass as you deplane, as the brown Fast Track vouchers are sometimes given out at the top of the gate rather than on the plane. If you are traveling in Y with Silver, Gold or Platinum status, you have to request the Fast-Track voucher at the QR agent at the gate.
What time does check-in open? Check in opens 3 hours before your departure time. QR police this quite strictly.
QR to and from Bangkok (BKK) - Non Lounge Discussion
Oct 30, 2018, 4:35 am
#1651
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: UK
Programs: Etihad Gold, Qatar Gold, flying Blue, Falcon, Lufthansa, Eva
Posts: 1,428
Only if they'd managed to sell seats through tour operators: but that would probably have diluted yield even further. Loads aren't so important: yield is king.
The mad idea that Pattaya-bound tourists would pay a premium to save 30 minutes on the transfer time from BKK was silly. Utapao is a regional low-cost destination par excellence. I guess it could become a low-cost long-haul alternative to BKK, but that's not Qatar's game: leave that to Norwegian.
The idea was almost as silly as the notion that business travellers would use a service lacking frequency, sacrificing the city delights of Bangkok, simply to land closer to the industrial areas of Rayong. A (successful) analogy might be Lufthansa's Mumbai / Pune services - but there the distances and inconvenience is greater, while Mumbai holds few attractions. And of course Lufthansa maintains a close commercial relationship with home-based companies working in Pune - but even so, the PNQ service has had rocky moments.
The mad idea that Pattaya-bound tourists would pay a premium to save 30 minutes on the transfer time from BKK was silly. Utapao is a regional low-cost destination par excellence. I guess it could become a low-cost long-haul alternative to BKK, but that's not Qatar's game: leave that to Norwegian.
The idea was almost as silly as the notion that business travellers would use a service lacking frequency, sacrificing the city delights of Bangkok, simply to land closer to the industrial areas of Rayong. A (successful) analogy might be Lufthansa's Mumbai / Pune services - but there the distances and inconvenience is greater, while Mumbai holds few attractions. And of course Lufthansa maintains a close commercial relationship with home-based companies working in Pune - but even so, the PNQ service has had rocky moments.
Oct 30, 2018, 4:59 am
#1652
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Though I have to declare I've only used the airport on a weekend Air Asia trip from KL: and from that perspective it did just fine. I was picked up by a friend, but the Grab back to the airport was expensive compared to the cost of my air ticket.
Oct 30, 2018, 5:26 am
#1654
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: UK
Programs: Etihad Gold, Qatar Gold, flying Blue, Falcon, Lufthansa, Eva
Posts: 1,428
Perhaps chalk that up to the death throes of the route, though sensibly they were always going to be lucky to sell business-class at satisfying premiums. Pattaya ain't Nice. The bead and butter was in the economy cabin.
the greatest joy of Utapao is the relative ease of getting through the airport, compared to the distances, lines and general faff at BKK. And, sure, it's always great to have good public transport at an airport, but taxis rarely break the bank in Thailand.
Though I have to declare I've only used the airport on a weekend Air Asia trip from KL: and from that perspective it did just fine. I was picked up by a friend, but the Grab back to the airport was expensive compared to the cost of my air ticket.
the greatest joy of Utapao is the relative ease of getting through the airport, compared to the distances, lines and general faff at BKK. And, sure, it's always great to have good public transport at an airport, but taxis rarely break the bank in Thailand.
Though I have to declare I've only used the airport on a weekend Air Asia trip from KL: and from that perspective it did just fine. I was picked up by a friend, but the Grab back to the airport was expensive compared to the cost of my air ticket.
Oct 31, 2018, 5:04 am
#1655
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/2MM, AA Plat, IC Diam. Amb., Peninsula regular, amanjunkie
Posts: 5,848
Well, as it turned out, despite down-gauging from A388 to 77L, load was light on my QR 833 on Monday October 30. Second J cabin had only 4 of 18 seats occupied. Not sure why I had such trouble picking seats. I didn’t look closely at Y but I sensed it was pretty light. When I boarded at 25 mins before scheduled departure, all of Y was already aboard. I know QR boards early and that’s not terribly unusual, but it’s a datapoint.
Nov 5, 2018, 1:33 am
#1657
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: QR Platinum, Star Alliance Gold (LH Sen)
Posts: 764
As per information of today, only QR830 and QR831 are QSuite flights....but, who knows what will happen / change - we are talking about QR ;-)
Jan 29, 2019, 12:42 am
#1660
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: Ba gold, gha black
Posts: 283
Airframe Swap BKK
First of all i booked 12hours before the end of the sale in January 17th or whenever it was because i thought it would not be extended... Then i booked QR830 and QR831 for May based off the Qatar homepage that these planes are guaranteed Q-Suites.. Then i look less than two weeks later and they are now an a330-300 on this route. I know you shouldnt book because of a specific plane but i feel very disappointed with the initial experience and i haven't even got on the plane yet.
Jan 29, 2019, 3:00 am
#1661
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: QR Plat
Posts: 2,434
Welcome to the QR forum, and a very warm welcome to rule #1 . 
Some destinations are worse than others, and BKK is one of thos destinations where if you book the ticket more than 15 minutes ahead of boarding you do get the full pleasure of QRs lottery allocation of aircraft.
If it offers any consolation, I booked a ticket during the same sale to a nearby destination, and adly have been switched *to* a QSuite layout, and wished it wasn't so.
-A
Some destinations are worse than others, and BKK is one of thos destinations where if you book the ticket more than 15 minutes ahead of boarding you do get the full pleasure of QRs lottery allocation of aircraft.
If it offers any consolation, I booked a ticket during the same sale to a nearby destination, and adly have been switched *to* a QSuite layout, and wished it wasn't so.
-A
Jan 30, 2019, 12:29 am
#1662
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: Ba gold, gha black
Posts: 283
Thankyou for the response. Nevertheless, if Qatar runs a sale to get people to buy tickets, advertises on the website that the flight to pick would be QR830 /831, then i think it is fair that the passenger should reasonably expect this, no? Why do they have to chop and change aircrafts so much anyway/routes? I think you get reasonable expectancy with British Airways what plane you are on when booking.
Jan 30, 2019, 3:06 am
#1663
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: QR Plat
Posts: 2,434
Thankyou for the response. Nevertheless, if Qatar runs a sale to get people to buy tickets, advertises on the website that the flight to pick would be QR830 /831, then i think it is fair that the passenger should reasonably expect this, no? Why do they have to chop and change aircrafts so much anyway/routes? I think you get reasonable expectancy with British Airways what plane you are on when booking.
-A
Jan 30, 2019, 10:18 am
#1665
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: qr
Posts: 262
I agree that aircraft swaps do happen as they do in most other carriers. I suffered a Q SUITE swap when they first entered service (aircraft was BED) only a few days before flying from LHR . Ironically in checking later on after my trip BED did not operate that rotation for one day in the whole month of July- was unlucky. Sucked it up and still enjoyed the old style 777 which in my view is still a nice configuration. Having travelled numerous time son BKK sectors I have yet to encounter a swap from original allocated aircraft - again must have just been my luck but always in the back of my mind I knew it could happen. Would have been annoying as 4 times I booked the A380 hoping to upgrade to first to burn Credits and expiring miles - all of which were successful , had a swap taken place it would have been a futile exercise.