Last edit by: msm2000uk
Please post your experiences related to QR's longest route, between DOH-AKL-DOH.
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The AKL Thread
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 552
The AKL Thread
This NZHerald article describes a possible QR nonstop DOH-AKL flight.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/n...ectid=11580263
Is this feasible ?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/n...ectid=11580263
Is this feasible ?
#3
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 56
The aircraft can handle it, but can the Y passengers. The smells from the lavs, meal trash and passenger B.O. will be overwelming after 18 hours.
In my younger years I flew in the back of a Boeing 707 for many 18 hour flights (in-air refuled) and it was always a wear on the body. I now limit my flights to 6 hours in Y or 14 hours in J. If travel requires longer flights, I work in a stopover.
In my younger years I flew in the back of a Boeing 707 for many 18 hour flights (in-air refuled) and it was always a wear on the body. I now limit my flights to 6 hours in Y or 14 hours in J. If travel requires longer flights, I work in a stopover.
#4
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: centurion
Posts: 157
Possibly an interesting option as one who travels from LHR to AKL occasionally. I could not understand why its 18 or more hours. DOH to SYD is 14 or slightly less. SYD to AKL is 3 hours or a bit less. So I would have thought a flight DOH to AKL would be approx. 16 (still a long flight) or is it that the plane is slower through the journey from extra fuel (doesn't sound right)
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 552
The aircraft can handle it, but can the Y passengers. The smells from the lavs, meal trash and passenger B.O. will be overwelming after 18 hours.
In my younger years I flew in the back of a Boeing 707 for many 18 hour flights (in-air refuled) and it was always a wear on the body. I now limit my flights to 6 hours in Y or 14 hours in J. If travel requires longer flights, I work in a stopover.
In my younger years I flew in the back of a Boeing 707 for many 18 hour flights (in-air refuled) and it was always a wear on the body. I now limit my flights to 6 hours in Y or 14 hours in J. If travel requires longer flights, I work in a stopover.
And the 18hrs flight is on the westward flight, when it is a night flight it will be a very long night.
But, indeed, for Y passengers a stop in SIN would be more relaxing.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,307
#8
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
#10
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
Yes there are "penalty" calculations based on winds, temperatures-climate conditions, cargo & passenger loads. For a route like this the airline would have to reduce the weight of the plane by variable amounts of cargo (huge profit center) or passengers to allow the plane to cover the distance in the current conditions + minimum safe distance requirements.
Last edited by Yoshi212; Jan 28, 2016 at 6:10 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London
Programs: Many. Too many. I came here to cut them down. I failed.
Posts: 2,999
And then EK nip in and add a non-stop DXB-AKL flight using a 77L from 01 March!
(Block time 15:55 + 17:15)
EK448 DXB AKL 1005 1000+1
EK449 AKL DXB 2020 0535+1
Shots fired!
(Block time 15:55 + 17:15)
EK448 DXB AKL 1005 1000+1
EK449 AKL DXB 2020 0535+1
Shots fired!
#12
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SIN and Medway, UK (so... LCY/LGW/BRU)
Programs: A3 *G, BA OWS, VS Gold, IHG Diamond Amb, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 749
I am honestly positively worried for Y pax on these routes, especially since EK and QR are going to set a run-of-the-mill 77L over. Even SQ's crazy route to Newark had much better seats back in those days (either the 100 Js, or the Executive Economy with wider seats and better width at the very least!)
#13
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London
Programs: Many. Too many. I came here to cut them down. I failed.
Posts: 2,999
How many EK planes does AKL see every day?!
I am honestly positively worried for Y pax on these routes, especially since EK and QR are going to set a run-of-the-mill 77L over. Even SQ's crazy route to Newark had much better seats back in those days (either the 100 Js, or the Executive Economy with wider seats and better width at the very least!)
I am honestly positively worried for Y pax on these routes, especially since EK and QR are going to set a run-of-the-mill 77L over. Even SQ's crazy route to Newark had much better seats back in those days (either the 100 Js, or the Executive Economy with wider seats and better width at the very least!)
There are more chances of me swimming to New Zealand than flying on one of EK's 10 across 777's for 17 hours
But it makes a lot of sense I suppose - even with the 9 1/2 hours on the ground in AKL. Considering the LR's hold about 100 less than some of EK's 777-200's there can't be many routes that are ideal for the LR's. This and PTY I guess.
#14
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: QR Gold
Posts: 772
QR's proposed AKL service will make it the longest in the world (if indeed they decide on it). DOH is slightly farther than DXB to AKL.
The Block Time would be almost 16:15 + 17:45 (YIKES!). The super business class better be there!
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 552
* extra crew set required: 2 pilots + 10 (stewardesses / pursers) who take 10-12 extra seats otherwise paid for and costs another 1200kg of non paying weight (crew + luggage). A single set of crew is not going to be on duty for 17 hours.
* more fuel to transport, which requires even more fuel to transport, totally several extra tons
* pax have to be feed for 17 hours instead of 10 which requires more load
* loos get dirty, particularly in Y, unless cleaned halfway in flight.
* food and loo waste kept on the plane for a long time
The EK448/449 is just an answer to QR's announcement, but does it really take place ? The EK251/252 to PTY is already postponed to Mar 31.