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
Feb 4, 2016, 3:58 pm
#436
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Udon Thani, Thailand
Programs: TK E,*G, A-Club G
Posts: 869
Last year I flew (only) 4x out of BKK and saw this once checking in for the 20.45 A380 departure, a B777 was departing some 40 minutes earlier?
And yes there is a priority card holder desk right from J and F check in is the first desk. I guess no one was controlling the queue.
Last time I checked in the status cardholder line was very busy, some 3 people checking in at the J desk and I was invited to check in at the free first class desk.
And yes there is a priority card holder desk right from J and F check in is the first desk. I guess no one was controlling the queue.
Last time I checked in the status cardholder line was very busy, some 3 people checking in at the J desk and I was invited to check in at the free first class desk.
Feb 5, 2016, 3:54 am
#437
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: UK
Programs: Etihad Gold, Qatar Gold, flying Blue, Falcon, Lufthansa, Eva
Posts: 1,428
However this does not excuse Qatar. All they need to do is have a separate roped off queue lane, made clear that this was the First Class check-in prior to opening the check-in and then have someone check that those in the queue were entitled to be in it when the staff arrive.
Feb 5, 2016, 3:33 pm
#438
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Lincoln UK/BKK
Programs: BAEC Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 423
Although I was flying business class A380 in evening, I saw exactly the same in September 2015. I'd arrived about 3.45 hours before the flight and no desks were open. At the First and Business desks, there were long queues of luggage and no people!
Once the desks opened, loads of people appeared from no where to attend their luggage, and the rest of their families joined them, increasing the size of the que.
I only wanted to print boarding pass (hand baggage only, in J) but the local people manning the head of the queue didn't want to lose face to let me in front of all the "families" checking in their many bags that they had left queuing for them. I queued for 30mins for 30 seconds at the desk. A farce.
Oh well lesson learned, I will do what msm2000uk does and turn up 90mins before next time!
Once the desks opened, loads of people appeared from no where to attend their luggage, and the rest of their families joined them, increasing the size of the que.
I only wanted to print boarding pass (hand baggage only, in J) but the local people manning the head of the queue didn't want to lose face to let me in front of all the "families" checking in their many bags that they had left queuing for them. I queued for 30mins for 30 seconds at the desk. A farce.
Oh well lesson learned, I will do what msm2000uk does and turn up 90mins before next time!
Feb 6, 2016, 7:23 am
#439
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,175
I was commenting on sharing First Class check-in with OWE. This is usually not the case with QR, who separate OW status card holders from premier class. Even their small operation in EDI has one counter for Business and another for OWE status (although more often than not I get helped at just the other one).
Feb 10, 2016, 2:44 am
#440
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Bangkok / London
Programs: BA Silver, AmEx Platinum, AVIS Presidents Club, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,107
Currently being offered (by email) £518 to upgrade QR 832 DOH-BKK from Y to J. It is the "day flight" but I will be connecting from the LHR flight the day before at 21:55.
Does anyone know if it is possible to upgrade just one sector using the reservations team so that I at least gain the correct points / miles for it? Or are these sector by sector upgrades only available via the online offer? I have tried to amend the entire outbound to J but was quoted an extra £2500ish as there is only one seat left in J on the first flight LHR-DOH, but plenty on the second flight DOH-BKK.
Does anyone know if it is possible to upgrade just one sector using the reservations team so that I at least gain the correct points / miles for it? Or are these sector by sector upgrades only available via the online offer? I have tried to amend the entire outbound to J but was quoted an extra £2500ish as there is only one seat left in J on the first flight LHR-DOH, but plenty on the second flight DOH-BKK.
Feb 10, 2016, 9:54 am
#441
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: PAR
Programs: QR Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,090
Currently being offered (by email) £518 to upgrade QR 832 DOH-BKK from Y to J. It is the "day flight" but I will be connecting from the LHR flight the day before at 21:55.
Does anyone know if it is possible to upgrade just one sector using the reservations team so that I at least gain the correct points / miles for it? Or are these sector by sector upgrades only available via the online offer? I have tried to amend the entire outbound to J but was quoted an extra £2500ish as there is only one seat left in J on the first flight LHR-DOH, but plenty on the second flight DOH-BKK.
Does anyone know if it is possible to upgrade just one sector using the reservations team so that I at least gain the correct points / miles for it? Or are these sector by sector upgrades only available via the online offer? I have tried to amend the entire outbound to J but was quoted an extra £2500ish as there is only one seat left in J on the first flight LHR-DOH, but plenty on the second flight DOH-BKK.
If you mostly fly in Y you'd better credit your flights to QR PC instead of BAEC : you will get status faster, and with QR status you will get bonus miles on QR flights (respectively 25%, 75% and 100% of flown miles for Silver, Gold, Platinum status), and with your QR miles you will be able to request an upgrade at airport (they allow airport upgrades for almost any available seat whereas upgrade availability before the flight is scarce) for 30,000 miles for LHR-DOH or 35,000 miles for DOH-BKK. If you value miles 1 cent a mile, your upgrade cost is about 300 or 350 $, which is far much better that your email offer and than repricing your ticket when there's only 1 seat left.
Feb 10, 2016, 10:06 am
#442
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,949
Update for F passengers on QR.
QR have ended their Agreement for access into the Thai Airways F Lounge on Concourse D.
Instead, you are directed to the small Thai F Lounge (area) by Concourse E. This is quite a long walk from C7 (one of the usual A380 gates).
There is a solution, but you have to press for it - Ask, politely, at the desk of the Thai J Lounge on Concourse C, and they will open one of the two private rooms. They are comfortable, spacious, and very comfortable.
QR have stopped paying for access (yes, I'm not happy about it either), but it is in anticipation of them opening their own lounge on Concourse D...coming soon according to my new friend at BKK!
QR have ended their Agreement for access into the Thai Airways F Lounge on Concourse D.
Instead, you are directed to the small Thai F Lounge (area) by Concourse E. This is quite a long walk from C7 (one of the usual A380 gates).
There is a solution, but you have to press for it - Ask, politely, at the desk of the Thai J Lounge on Concourse C, and they will open one of the two private rooms. They are comfortable, spacious, and very comfortable.
QR have stopped paying for access (yes, I'm not happy about it either), but it is in anticipation of them opening their own lounge on Concourse D...coming soon according to my new friend at BKK!
Last edited by msm2000uk; Feb 10, 2016 at 10:40 am
Feb 10, 2016, 11:34 am
#443
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: The Hague, NL
Programs: GMLFL, Life 2.0 - Mucci Premiere Classe & des Chevaliers Toulousiens
Posts: 22,911
My flight left from the E gates and in that case I dare to say that the CX lounge in concourse G is about as good as any lounge (F or J) can get. So maybe not too convenient if you are departing from the C gates, but if your flights departs from somewhere close...
Secondly I remember that the Thai Lounge staff at concourse D were pressing really, really hard for me to go to the lounge on concourse C. I was in J but it almost seemed like I was going to be refused entry. I didn't really push and we were all distracted by a snotty twenty-something DYKW-my-father-is (who later got escorted away) so they waived me in. Maybe it is not just the F pax that are banned to the C lounge?
Secondly I remember that the Thai Lounge staff at concourse D were pressing really, really hard for me to go to the lounge on concourse C. I was in J but it almost seemed like I was going to be refused entry. I didn't really push and we were all distracted by a snotty twenty-something DYKW-my-father-is (who later got escorted away) so they waived me in. Maybe it is not just the F pax that are banned to the C lounge?
Feb 10, 2016, 3:03 pm
#444
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Udon Thani, Thailand
Programs: TK E,*G, A-Club G
Posts: 869
Now when will it open???
My next QR flight out of BKK is for late april, fingers crossed.
But then long walk to E gates....
Feb 10, 2016, 4:28 pm
#445
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 5
Girlfriend and I are flying JFK-DOH-BKK on April 2 (flight 704 & 832). Bought discount economy tickets (O). I am OW Ruby. Any ideas as to what options would be to upgrade to J? As of today there are numerous seats available on both flights. Would it be best to just wait until a week before the flight to see if they offer a reasonably priced upgrade? I have points I could transfer to my PC membership to upgrade, but only enough for 1 ticket (assuming they have upgrades available for QMiles) so I would have to pay cash for the other.
Let me know if anybody has any advice or suggestions. Thanks in advance!
Let me know if anybody has any advice or suggestions. Thanks in advance!
Feb 10, 2016, 8:19 pm
#446
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,949
I depart BKK again in 2 weeks time, so will go for a walk along D to try and find the precise location of the lounge.
Feb 10, 2016, 8:51 pm
#447
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 479
So, maybe not too far away now.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/461986/
Suvarnabhumi will be the second airport outside Qatar Airways' Doha hub where the airline has its own lounge.
Its Suvarnabhumi lounge is expected to be an upgrade of its world-acclaimed facility at London Heathrow Airport, described as more of a private club than a lounge.
While AoT hopes the new lounges can open by year-end, airline executives are sceptical due to the long process.
Feb 10, 2016, 9:38 pm
#448
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,949
Modelled on the LHR lounge and was originally due to open late last year according to this old Bangkok Post article.
So, maybe not too far away now.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/461986/
Suvarnabhumi will be the second airport outside Qatar Airways' Doha hub where the airline has its own lounge.
Its Suvarnabhumi lounge is expected to be an upgrade of its world-acclaimed facility at London Heathrow Airport, described as more of a private club than a lounge.
While AoT hopes the new lounges can open by year-end, airline executives are sceptical due to the long process.
So, maybe not too far away now.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/461986/
Suvarnabhumi will be the second airport outside Qatar Airways' Doha hub where the airline has its own lounge.
Its Suvarnabhumi lounge is expected to be an upgrade of its world-acclaimed facility at London Heathrow Airport, described as more of a private club than a lounge.
While AoT hopes the new lounges can open by year-end, airline executives are sceptical due to the long process.
Unsurprisingly, things are taking longer (as is the QR way), but hopefully we'll have an update soon.
The fact that QR have ended their F Lounge Agreement with TG, may indicate the opening is less than 3 months away.
Feb 11, 2016, 12:50 am
#449
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: QR Gold, BAEC, Marriott Rewards Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,142
Feb 11, 2016, 2:36 am
#450
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 234
Girlfriend and I are flying JFK-DOH-BKK on April 2 (flight 704 & 832). Bought discount economy tickets (O). I am OW Ruby. Any ideas as to what options would be to upgrade to J? As of today there are numerous seats available on both flights. Would it be best to just wait until a week before the flight to see if they offer a reasonably priced upgrade? I have points I could transfer to my PC membership to upgrade, but only enough for 1 ticket (assuming they have upgrades available for QMiles) so I would have to pay cash for the other.
Let me know if anybody has any advice or suggestions. Thanks in advance!
Let me know if anybody has any advice or suggestions. Thanks in advance!