Last edit by: msm2000uk
Please post your experiences related to QR's longest route, between DOH-AKL-DOH.
M
M
The AKL Thread
#346
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 16,963
It certainly works better if you are gold/emerald, for at least one of the seats next to you: well, there's a good chance of it working, but only if the flight isn't full
#347
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, QF Platinum (LTS), VA Platinum
Posts: 1,671
I have OWE and I certainly wouldn't say no to a spare seat next to me. Would prefer the whole row though! Especially AKL-DOH. Just monitoring it and checking for patterns. At the end of the day I have no control over it. But was just interested as to whether the plane could fly full with pax or if they needed to to block a few seats.
#348
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,495
I have OWE and I certainly wouldn't say no to a spare seat next to me. Would prefer the whole row though! Especially AKL-DOH. Just monitoring it and checking for patterns. At the end of the day I have no control over it. But was just interested as to whether the plane could fly full with pax or if they needed to to block a few seats.
QR also blocks off the last few rows (from about 32 onwards IIRC) for airport control.
#349
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, QF Platinum (LTS), VA Platinum
Posts: 1,671
Cheers, I've noticed those back rows being blocked. Ah well, as stated, it's out of my control. Got a window seat at least!
#350
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: England
Programs: Mucci des Epices Exotiques, BAEC Gold,EK Gold,SPG,Marriott,Club Carlson
Posts: 918
Is there any news (or rumours) on the originally planned A350 serving this route? Or retro-fitting the 777-ER with q-suites? As far as I can tell, it’s over a year since this was discussed (at least on this thread)! I’m due to take this route for a second time in October.
#352
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: England
Programs: Mucci des Epices Exotiques, BAEC Gold,EK Gold,SPG,Marriott,Club Carlson
Posts: 918
Is there any news (or rumours) on the originally planned A350 serving this route? Or retro-fitting the 777-ER with q-suites? As far as I can tell, its over a year since this was discussed (at least on this thread)! Im due to take this route for a second time in October.
#354
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Christchurch, NZ.
Programs: NZ*E, MPO, QR
Posts: 20
ABB has publicly stated that they are not interested in A350ULR.
The 77L will be more profitable on the Auckland route than the 359. On a typical day the AKL-DOH route is approx. 8600 air nm. The 77L can lift 259 pax and approx 8 tonne of freight. In comparison the 359 would have to block 43 seats and only carry 230 pax without freight. They have a similar payload/fuel/distance rate at 8600 nm. Freight is important for effectively now an island nation with appetite for chilled produce from NZ. ABB has said that the 77L is the only aircraft capable for AKL. Looking to the future the 359ULR would crawl back 3 tonne or 29 pax but one long route alone doesn't justify a small QR sub-fleet. The 35K might get you another 2 tonne for a 75 % LF. The ordered 778 is a long-distance monster with 1200 more nm range but you pay for this with higher specific fuel consumption hauling more volume.
I predict for the foreseeable future the 77L will stay on the AKL route.
The 77L will be more profitable on the Auckland route than the 359. On a typical day the AKL-DOH route is approx. 8600 air nm. The 77L can lift 259 pax and approx 8 tonne of freight. In comparison the 359 would have to block 43 seats and only carry 230 pax without freight. They have a similar payload/fuel/distance rate at 8600 nm. Freight is important for effectively now an island nation with appetite for chilled produce from NZ. ABB has said that the 77L is the only aircraft capable for AKL. Looking to the future the 359ULR would crawl back 3 tonne or 29 pax but one long route alone doesn't justify a small QR sub-fleet. The 35K might get you another 2 tonne for a 75 % LF. The ordered 778 is a long-distance monster with 1200 more nm range but you pay for this with higher specific fuel consumption hauling more volume.
I predict for the foreseeable future the 77L will stay on the AKL route.
Last edited by wairakei15; Jun 28, 2018 at 12:07 am
#355
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 16,963
It certainly seems a remarkably inefficient way to get lamb chops on supermarket shelves; i'm guessing the NZ appetite for dates doesn't fill the holds on the outward sector.
The passenger capacity/profit argument is predicated on there being demand at fare levels that will support the route, and on that I'm not too sure. That my December trip cost much less than a London Dubai ticket suggests that demand is not quite so rosy as we might think. But there again, the opportunity cost argument is that there's not much alternative use for 24-hours of a large aircraft.
I'm not at all fussed about the equipment used, but I'm hoping your forseable future stretches as far as December in route existential terms!
#356
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Christchurch, NZ.
Programs: NZ*E, MPO, QR
Posts: 20
Maybe vanity in beating EK to the punch and the longest route but more about the network value of making profit on the second segment from their strong hub and blocking their competitor's market share. It is noticeable that the second segments to Europe have higher demand, higher fares per nm and greater yield. I suggest the fuel price will need to climb significantly higher before the route could be curtailed and EK would be the first to leave with their 388s being 15 % less fuel economic, leaving QR to the route alone.
I have been watching the C fares since Feb when I booked August to VIE and QR hasn't changed and is 30 % cheaper than EK. Y is looking pretty full and in comparison EK449 is looking very light in Y.
I have been watching the C fares since Feb when I booked August to VIE and QR hasn't changed and is 30 % cheaper than EK. Y is looking pretty full and in comparison EK449 is looking very light in Y.
Last edited by wairakei15; Jul 2, 2018 at 1:21 pm
#360
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Programs: NZ *G
Posts: 410
Im sitting in Al Mourjan after flying ex AKL in J. Flight was fine, but some FAs were better than others (one bordered on rude) and it was disappointing to find the beef main not available despite trying to order it 2 hours into the flight. I thought the seat was firm but comfortable, and the bed setting ok - I agree with others re the annoying ridges at shoulder and hip level.