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
Aug 7, 2017, 12:43 am
#1231
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: 8,948
Those who know AoT well, and know how the inner cirlces work, will understand why there are current delays.
For me to elaborate, would put those that provide me the information, in a difficult position - and I'm not going to risk that.
M
Aug 7, 2017, 3:01 am
#1232
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
- TG has its 'friends'/advocates in the gov't. AoT has its 'friends'/advocates in the gov't. Every dollar spent by AoT is a dollar TG does not get. (Source: Bangkok Post, reading budget details)
- BKK and DMK are both near 100% capacity. (It is a zoo getting out on a redeye!) (Source: Bangkok Post, aviation journals)
- The pissing contest is so bad between AoT and TG that TG could not get the approvals/money needed to build the lounge at HKT Intl terminal, despite it being delayed over a year. (Source: Bangkok Post, reading between the lines)
- There are multiple expansion projects going on at BKK. There are multiple airlines looking to build/expand lounges at BKK, including TG/QR/PG. (CX and JL took a long time to get their spaces.) (Source: Bangkok Post, reading between the lines)
- Space is at a premium at BKK.
- The old JL space is available, but may not be big enough. The old CX space is available (I believe) but is not big enough.
Not sure it is 'proof' but that is just the way it is. While you would think it is logical to get QR space ASAP and collect rent, it isn't that simple. Like most things Thailand, politics play a big part of it.
Aug 7, 2017, 4:18 am
#1233
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
There again, I am stuck in my ways and simply kept going to the old facility until I bumped into a closed door and a sign sending me on a long walk. So no idea how long the the new space took to develop.
AOT and the Srivaddhanaprabha clan are certainly not the most straightforward or malleable partners to deal with: but QR seems to be making heavy weather developing its Suvarnabhumi empire.
Aug 8, 2017, 1:57 pm
#1234
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: qr
Posts: 262
Yep lounge opening at various destinations do not seem to be QRs strongest asset as well as nirvana in HIA. I know the LHR one was a long time in the making and I suspect that was despite HAL wanting to move things along in order to maximise rental income potential . But ultimately in respect of the LHR QR lounge was worth the wait .
Aug 9, 2017, 10:38 am
#1235
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Yep lounge opening at various destinations do not seem to be QRs strongest asset as well as nirvana in HIA. I know the LHR one was a long time in the making and I suspect that was despite HAL wanting to move things along in order to maximise rental income potential . But ultimately in respect of the LHR QR lounge was worth the wait .
Aug 9, 2017, 1:50 pm
#1237
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
if you make a hash of it in your home-base, where airport and airline are run by much the same outfit, how can you be expected to succeed in an alien environment ?
Aug 9, 2017, 2:36 pm
#1238
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: 8,948
Aug 17, 2017, 4:57 pm
#1239
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,512
I have a booking VCE-DOH-BKK in J for next month, and have just received details of a schedule change. The timings have been changed by 30 minutes or so, due to the airspace closures around DOH, I guess. No dramas, really.
However I was a little surprised with changes to the aircraft involved. The VCE-DOH leg has now become a 788 (from 333) and DOH-BKK has become a 346 (from a 77W).
Happy with the first change, not sure about the second. I didn't know the 346's were used on this route (I have flown them CMB-DOH before and not been particularly impressed).
However I was a little surprised with changes to the aircraft involved. The VCE-DOH leg has now become a 788 (from 333) and DOH-BKK has become a 346 (from a 77W).
Happy with the first change, not sure about the second. I didn't know the 346's were used on this route (I have flown them CMB-DOH before and not been particularly impressed).
Aug 18, 2017, 2:33 am
#1240
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Frankfurt
Programs: QR Platinum
Posts: 256
I have a booking VCE-DOH-BKK in J for next month, and have just received details of a schedule change. The timings have been changed by 30 minutes or so, due to the airspace closures around DOH, I guess. No dramas, really.
However I was a little surprised with changes to the aircraft involved. The VCE-DOH leg has now become a 788 (from 333) and DOH-BKK has become a 346 (from a 77W).
Happy with the first change, not sure about the second. I didn't know the 346's were used on this route (I have flown them CMB-DOH before and not been particularly impressed).
However I was a little surprised with changes to the aircraft involved. The VCE-DOH leg has now become a 788 (from 333) and DOH-BKK has become a 346 (from a 77W).
Happy with the first change, not sure about the second. I didn't know the 346's were used on this route (I have flown them CMB-DOH before and not been particularly impressed).
Aug 18, 2017, 3:09 am
#1241
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: CMB/LHR
Programs: QR Gold / OW Sapphire, Le Club Accor Gold, Shangri La Jade
Posts: 144
I have a booking VCE-DOH-BKK in J for next month, and have just received details of a schedule change. The timings have been changed by 30 minutes or so, due to the airspace closures around DOH, I guess. No dramas, really.
However I was a little surprised with changes to the aircraft involved. The VCE-DOH leg has now become a 788 (from 333) and DOH-BKK has become a 346 (from a 77W).
Happy with the first change, not sure about the second. I didn't know the 346's were used on this route (I have flown them CMB-DOH before and not been particularly impressed).
However I was a little surprised with changes to the aircraft involved. The VCE-DOH leg has now become a 788 (from 333) and DOH-BKK has become a 346 (from a 77W).
Happy with the first change, not sure about the second. I didn't know the 346's were used on this route (I have flown them CMB-DOH before and not been particularly impressed).
If you can, grab the Row 1 seats on the A340 - the footwell is much bigger.
Aug 19, 2017, 2:14 am
#1243
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,512
Aug 22, 2017, 12:09 pm
#1244
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,666
Hi all, a couple of quick questions, I am flying PG domestic from HKT, connecting to QR BKK-DOH international in BKK on separate tickets, with a 7-hour layover at BKK.
1. I assume that I will check in domestic in HKT, pick up luggage at BKK and re-enter international check in with QR (are these on the same terminal?)
2. What lounge do you recommend in BKK (Emerald flying QR J), for a 7-hour layover?
1. I assume that I will check in domestic in HKT, pick up luggage at BKK and re-enter international check in with QR (are these on the same terminal?)
2. What lounge do you recommend in BKK (Emerald flying QR J), for a 7-hour layover?
Aug 22, 2017, 1:25 pm
#1245
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: USA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 812
Hi all, a couple of quick questions, I am flying PG domestic from HKT, connecting to QR BKK-DOH international in BKK on separate tickets, with a 7-hour layover at BKK.
1. I assume that I will check in domestic in HKT, pick up luggage at BKK and re-enter international check in with QR (are these on the same terminal?)
2. What lounge do you recommend in BKK (Emerald flying QR J), for a 7-hour layover?
1. I assume that I will check in domestic in HKT, pick up luggage at BKK and re-enter international check in with QR (are these on the same terminal?)
2. What lounge do you recommend in BKK (Emerald flying QR J), for a 7-hour layover?
Actually, Thinking abut it, With a 7 hour layover you may as well try all of them.