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
Jan 20, 2016, 4:15 am
#376
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
benberg2013
2. Upper deck economy seats are reserved for OW and PC status passengers and are not available to others unless lower deck is full when they are released to all passengers. Access appears to be strictly enforced.
There are fewer, but wider, seats across the cabin and the seat pitch is greater.
Access is for OWE and OWS, and possibly PC Silver depending upon how you read the Preferred seating paragraph under PC privileges.
2. Upper deck economy seats are reserved for OW and PC status passengers and are not available to others unless lower deck is full when they are released to all passengers. Access appears to be strictly enforced.
There are fewer, but wider, seats across the cabin and the seat pitch is greater.
Access is for OWE and OWS, and possibly PC Silver depending upon how you read the Preferred seating paragraph under PC privileges.
Jan 20, 2016, 4:30 am
#377
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: QR Plat
Posts: 2,435
-A
Jan 20, 2016, 4:40 am
#378
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Abu Dhabi
Programs: BA Gold/OWE
Posts: 531
The A380 upper deck Y cabin is small and quiet. The same seats but in a 2-4-2 config, with side bins at the window seats. Advance seat selection is policed but I've experienced a couple of flights where the lower deck has 'overflowed' upstairs upon boarding.
It's good exercise too; you enter via the stairs at the rear of the lower deck, and walk forward thru the J cabin to leave. Two whole lengths of the aircraft
It's good exercise too; you enter via the stairs at the rear of the lower deck, and walk forward thru the J cabin to leave. Two whole lengths of the aircraft
Jan 20, 2016, 4:40 am
#379
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BGO
Programs: SK Diamond, QR Platinum, AA Platinum, BA Silver, IHG Gold Ambassador
Posts: 297
For me they have never agreed to do this. SK does it for me when flying QR, but QR doesn't do it for me when flying SK.
Jan 20, 2016, 5:51 am
#380
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MAN,TLV
Programs: Silver:BA,VX,AB, QF. Gold:A3,RJ,AZ,GF, EY,SPG,Marriott,Choice, Carlson. Dia/Plat:HH,IHG,BW,Accor
Posts: 1,965
The A380 upper deck Y cabin is small and quiet. The same seats but in a 2-4-2 config, with side bins at the window seats. Advance seat selection is policed but I've experienced a couple of flights where the lower deck has 'overflowed' upstairs upon boarding.
It's good exercise too; you enter via the stairs at the rear of the lower deck, and walk forward thru the J cabin to leave. Two whole lengths of the aircraft
It's good exercise too; you enter via the stairs at the rear of the lower deck, and walk forward thru the J cabin to leave. Two whole lengths of the aircraft
benberg2013
2. Upper deck economy seats are reserved for OW and PC status passengers and are not available to others unless lower deck is full when they are released to all passengers. Access appears to be strictly enforced.
There are fewer, but wider, seats across the cabin and the seat pitch is greater.
Access is for OWE and OWS, and possibly PC Silver depending upon how you read the Preferred seating paragraph under PC privileges.
2. Upper deck economy seats are reserved for OW and PC status passengers and are not available to others unless lower deck is full when they are released to all passengers. Access appears to be strictly enforced.
There are fewer, but wider, seats across the cabin and the seat pitch is greater.
Access is for OWE and OWS, and possibly PC Silver depending upon how you read the Preferred seating paragraph under PC privileges.
In your experiences, is it normally empty upstairs, half empty, or quite full?
I chose the aisle seat of a 2.
What are the chances of having someone next to me?
Jan 20, 2016, 7:57 am
#381
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: PAR
Programs: QR Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,090
DOH-BKK : 1 free upgrade to J (I'm Platinum and Y was overbooked, probably due to rebooked passengers who missed their connection in DOH due to a late arrival of there previous flight)
BKK-DOH : Upper deck 100% full so I guess Lower deck was also 100% full. I've just missed a free upgrade to J by 1 seat ! Or maybe they upgraded other people... Fortunately I could secure an exit row seat at airport check-in ;-)
I always travel during week-ends (Saturday, Sunday or Monday) and flights might be more empty in the middle of the week but I would say that this A380 route is very busy, more than CDG-DOH on A380 (4 flights : 1 free upgrade to J, 3 flights with 25% to 60% empty seats on Upper deck).
Jan 20, 2016, 11:34 am
#382
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Abu Dhabi
Programs: BA Gold/OWE
Posts: 531
Generally around 50% I would estimate. I usually get a free seat next to me (which may be an OWE perk).
I've only seen it really busy upstairs once, and I assume this was because the main cabin was fully booked.
With only 56 seats in that mini cabin, the flight would have to be over 90% occupied for the overflow to occur.
I've only seen it really busy upstairs once, and I assume this was because the main cabin was fully booked.
With only 56 seats in that mini cabin, the flight would have to be over 90% occupied for the overflow to occur.
Jan 20, 2016, 2:52 pm
#383
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Udon Thani, Thailand
Programs: TK E,*G, A-Club G
Posts: 869
Flew A380 DOH-BKK Y upper deck only once.
Seat plan looked good before OLCI, not so when flying, chose an aisle seat and had next seat blocked (gold) but two seats does not help really. A few passengers where lucky enough to have 4 seats but not many.
Was also in Y on a 787 with next seat blocked, but a few passengers near me in front cabin had 3 seats on their own but did not use them to lay down, grrrr
I have 2 J and 3 Y segments booked on A380 upper deck for this year, I would rather fly all of them in J, trying to upgrade with Qcredits or miles, no success so far...(2 waiting list U booking code)
Seat plan looked good before OLCI, not so when flying, chose an aisle seat and had next seat blocked (gold) but two seats does not help really. A few passengers where lucky enough to have 4 seats but not many.
Was also in Y on a 787 with next seat blocked, but a few passengers near me in front cabin had 3 seats on their own but did not use them to lay down, grrrr
I have 2 J and 3 Y segments booked on A380 upper deck for this year, I would rather fly all of them in J, trying to upgrade with Qcredits or miles, no success so far...(2 waiting list U booking code)
Jan 20, 2016, 6:11 pm
#384
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: PAR
Programs: QR Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,090
Jan 21, 2016, 6:55 pm
#385
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Udon Thani, Thailand
Programs: TK E,*G, A-Club G
Posts: 869
Don't know really 
Filled in the upgrade form for 2 Y trips, had to do this 3x for the QCredits and miles separately. Got negative replies, then called the priority line 4x with different outcomes each time and received a confirmation mail showing 2 A380 segments as Y confirmed AND U waiting list.
Don't know how this will turn out.
Don't like to have to ask for upgrade at each check in and transit desk at DOH, but guess it's the QR way.
Seems I'll clock 300k miles by end 2016 but difficult to spend them.
Makes me reconsider my FF options for 2017.
Filled in the upgrade form for 2 Y trips, had to do this 3x for the QCredits and miles separately. Got negative replies, then called the priority line 4x with different outcomes each time and received a confirmation mail showing 2 A380 segments as Y confirmed AND U waiting list.
Don't know how this will turn out.
Don't like to have to ask for upgrade at each check in and transit desk at DOH, but guess it's the QR way.
Seems I'll clock 300k miles by end 2016 but difficult to spend them.
Makes me reconsider my FF options for 2017.
Jan 21, 2016, 10:44 pm
#386
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: BKK
Programs: QR Platinum
Posts: 159
Jan 22, 2016, 12:46 am
#387
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Udon Thani, Thailand
Programs: TK E,*G, A-Club G
Posts: 869
19,909 Qmiles expiring on 30 Jun 2018
60 Qcredits expiring on 13 Jan 2017
I guess Qmiles not expiring is for those earned when plat?
Anyway, will see what I can spend with upgrades this year, time at least is on my side
Jan 22, 2016, 3:08 am
#390
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: The Hague, NL
Programs: GMLFL, Life 2.0 - Mucci Premiere Classe & des Chevaliers Toulousiens
Posts: 22,911