Jun 5, 2017, 6:48 am
Last edit by: plunet
Wiki last updated: 21 July 2017 18:00 UTC
Summary of key traveller experiences and feedback on this forum since Mid-June
Some specific data points from other travellers:
(but there is a lot more valuable information if you can trawl back through the thread)
#753 CAI-LHR-DOH been offered as alternative for ex-CAI 4 days prior to 1st sector.
#772 KUL-DOH-LXR reroute to CAI and IST refused
#792 AUH-DOH-DPS by QR rebooked to DXB-HKG-DPS by CX
#794 Australia-DOH-HBE rebooked as DOH-BEY on QR on 2nd attempt.
#808 CAI>DOH>BOS>DOH>CAI rebooked to KRT and date change
#818 SYD-DOH-CAI changed to SYD-DOH-KWI-CAI, layovers optimed and +Qatar stopover
#830 and #840 Economy ICN-DOH-DXB rebooked onto CX ICN-HKG-DXB
#849 ex-CAI ininaries changed to ex-AMM but needed to HUACA a few times.
#856 CAI-DOH-BKK changed to FCO-DOH-BKK all on QR
#868 DFW-DOH-HBE changed to DFW-DOH-LCA all on QR 2 weeks out.
#906 Unable to get LXR-DOH-HKG-BNE rerouted until 72 hours prior
#927 CAI-DOH-BKK rebooked onto CAI-BAH-AMM on Gulf DOH-BKK (on QR) and return back to AMM
#966 DXB-DOH (award ticket) was changed to DXB-KWI-DOH on Kuwait+QR 48hrs in advance
#966 DOH-CAI (2 award tickets) were changed to DOH-BEY on QR 48 hours advance
#966 CAI-DOH-MUC (paid business) were changed to BEY-DOH-MUC 72 hours advance
#981 HKT-DOH-DWC (J/F tix) change to HKT-DOH-KWI all on QR 10 days out.
#985 ex-LXR ticket rerouted by OTA as CAI-BEY-DOH outside the 72 hr window
#1004 BKK-DOH-CAI in F rebooked as BKK-DOH-BEY in QR F, BEY-CAI in C on ME
#1005 HEL-DOH-DXB rebooked HEL-DOH-MCT on QR and MCT-DXB on Oman once ticket status went to unconfirmed.
#1057 MAN-DOH-DXB rebooked as MAN-LHR-DXB on BA (had to HUACA 3 times)
#1141 Multiple ex-CAI itineraries CAI-DOK-BKK return in J, CAI-DOH-LHR return in J, CAI-DOH-BKK single in F changed to all be ex-KWI. Had to HUACA 3 times.
#1157 LXR-DOH-NRT booked in January, flight changed to CAI-DOH-NRT
#1172 Rebooked CAI-(F)-DOH(J)-BKK to CAI-(C/ME)-BEY-(F)-DOH-(C)-BKK at 77hrs from departure
#1173 Rebooked at QR office HBE-DOH-DPS to HBE-IST-DOH-DPS on TK/TK/QR and improved timing on DOS-DPS segment
Offical guidance from QR website as of mid July:
What Happened
On the 6th of June flights from Qatar to Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (and vice versa) were suspended.
This includes all Qatar flights between Doha and Abu Dhabi, Abha, Alexandria–Borg el Arab, Bahrain, Buraydah, Cairo, Dammam, Dubai–Al Maktoum, Dubai–International, Gassim, Hofuf, Jeddah, Luxor, Madinah, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh, Sharjah, Tabuk, Ta'if and Yanbu.
Adding to this at 00:00 (UTC) on the 6th of June restrictions were put in place limiting flights to Doha to one particular corridor through the airspace of Bahrain. This has since been relaxed to two specific corridors through Bahrain airspace with a second corridor up the Saudi Arabia the new addition.
All other flights to other Qatar Airways destinations including the Maldives are still operating although some have delays due to the extended time required to avoid restricted airspace.
There are a couple of routes that are having to make fuel stops in Athens or Muscat but this seems to be dependent on the type of aircraft as well.
Details on the Airspace can be found here - https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/f...ain-and-egypt/
What about my Flights to other destinations?
Flights to Europe, Asia, Pacific and Norte America are operating as per schedule with minimal delays. There is no need to contact QR regarding these services.
Flights between Doha and Souto America are facing delays due to longer times and/or need for a technical stop-over. Flights to GRU and EZE are 2hr to 5hrs longer.
Flight between Doha and Africa/Middle East have longer flights times due to the airspace restrictions. Some routes like Doha to Khartoum have felt the full force of the restrictions with the flight now taking 2hr 30 mins longer than normal.
Qatar has begun to re-time flights to ensure the network continues running smoothly. Changes have been since Monday 12 June 2017, so it is advised to check your flight status and times on the Qatar website.
What about my flight to a suspended destination?
If you are due to fly in the next few days, search for alternative routings and note them down.
24 hours before your scheduled departure time, contact your LOCAL QR office, and ask for their assistance. Advise them that you have found an alternative routing which you would be willing to accept and see if they will book it for you.
If you are due to fly more than 5 days from today, try and relax. Do not panic and please do not call QR as you are blocking the lines for those flying in the next 24 hours. At this stage, Qatar is only offering options to those who are traveling in the next 24 hours.
Currently, people in the thread have suggested that Qatar is rebooking on flights through Muscat, Kuwait, Amman, Istanbul, Mumbai, Beirut, Athens and Tunis.
You can only get a refund if your booking is to one of the destinations listed at the top! (The number of people asking QR on Twitter for a refund of other flights is amazing)
What about other airlines?
Most other carriers in and out of Doha are still operating except for Air Arabia, Air Arabia Egypt, Air Cairo, EgyptAir, Emirates, Etihad, FlyDubai, Rotana Jet and Saudia.
Most other carriers are using the new restricted routes into Doha although provided the aircraft is not registered in Qatar they are allowed to use the Saudi Arabia or Egypt Airspace.
Timeline of Events:
5 June 2017
- UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Egypt withdraw licenses and close airspace
- All MS flights between CAI and DOH was zeroed out
- All GF flights between BAH and DOH closed for sale
- All QR flights between DOH and CAI closed for sale
- All QR staff travel was canceled
6 June 2017
- Airspace Restriction came into effect at 00:00 (UTC)
- All QR flights between DOH and UAE/Bahrain/KSA closed for sale
- QR flights between DOH and MLE still bookable
- QR Charters 3 aircraft from Jeddah to Muscat
7 June 2017
- QR Charters an aircraft from Jeddah to Kuwait
8 June 2017
- Qatar Airways website blocked in the UAE
- Qatar Airways offices in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain close
11 June 2017
- Second flight corridor added along the Saudi Arabia Coast
13 June 2017
- UAE Relaxes rules allowing non Qatari registered aircraft to use their airspace to/from Qatar but they are still not allowing flights between the UAE and Qatar from any operators.
- Egypt Relaxes rules allowing non Qatari registered aircraft to use their airspace to/from Qatar. The new rules also allow for non Qatar or Egypt registered aircraft to operate flights between the two countries.
14 June 2017
- Agreement between QR and BA/A3 on reticketing passengers (link below)
Further information:
- QR Travel Alert http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...bile_site=true
- QR FAQs http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...002369667-FAQs
- QR Charter flights arranged from Jeddah KSA to Muscat Oman http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...Muscat-to-Doha
- QR agreement with BA & A3 to reticket their flights http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...r-help-qr.html
- Political background and latest updates: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40155829
Summary of key traveller experiences and feedback on this forum since Mid-June
- Policy statement (link) for the travel industry issued 15th June 2017
- Refund is always an option, but very varied experiences of how quickly the refund is processed, from a few days to "still waiting". Some experiences of passengers being pressurised into taking refunds when this is not necessary if you can wait.
- If you want to reroute from a closed destination to another middle east destination still served by QR, you might be able to do this as early as 30 days from 1st sector, although we have had reports of rerouting at 6 weeks out.
- Where QR have to reroute onto other carriers, long haul reroutes typically onto BA, CX and TK seem to be quoted most often. In the Gulf region ME, KU, WY are quoted most often. Although RJ is a OneWorld carrier and should be a parter for QR, they are not accepting QR rerouted tickets.
- Status of reservations for travel to affected destinations typically changes to "Unconfirmed" 7 days ahead of travel.
- If your booking was via a 3rd party or agent you probably can't get Qatar to change the ticket until 72 hours before the first sector. 3rd parties and agents seem to be offering refunds rather than rerouting, although there has been some success if you can show them the QR rebooking policy document.
- There has been a very mixed bag of reports of how QR are handling rebooking. Some people have no luck getting itineraries changed before 72 hours before departure, but others do. So some good advice is to always be polite but if you don't get what you want, then thank the agent for their time and HUACA (hang up and call again) - preferably after you have had a drink and have calmed down, and maybe calling a different office.
Some specific data points from other travellers:
(but there is a lot more valuable information if you can trawl back through the thread)
#753 CAI-LHR-DOH been offered as alternative for ex-CAI 4 days prior to 1st sector.
#772 KUL-DOH-LXR reroute to CAI and IST refused
#792 AUH-DOH-DPS by QR rebooked to DXB-HKG-DPS by CX
#794 Australia-DOH-HBE rebooked as DOH-BEY on QR on 2nd attempt.
#808 CAI>DOH>BOS>DOH>CAI rebooked to KRT and date change
#818 SYD-DOH-CAI changed to SYD-DOH-KWI-CAI, layovers optimed and +Qatar stopover
#830 and #840 Economy ICN-DOH-DXB rebooked onto CX ICN-HKG-DXB
#849 ex-CAI ininaries changed to ex-AMM but needed to HUACA a few times.
#856 CAI-DOH-BKK changed to FCO-DOH-BKK all on QR
#868 DFW-DOH-HBE changed to DFW-DOH-LCA all on QR 2 weeks out.
#906 Unable to get LXR-DOH-HKG-BNE rerouted until 72 hours prior
#927 CAI-DOH-BKK rebooked onto CAI-BAH-AMM on Gulf DOH-BKK (on QR) and return back to AMM
#966 DXB-DOH (award ticket) was changed to DXB-KWI-DOH on Kuwait+QR 48hrs in advance
#966 DOH-CAI (2 award tickets) were changed to DOH-BEY on QR 48 hours advance
#966 CAI-DOH-MUC (paid business) were changed to BEY-DOH-MUC 72 hours advance
#981 HKT-DOH-DWC (J/F tix) change to HKT-DOH-KWI all on QR 10 days out.
#985 ex-LXR ticket rerouted by OTA as CAI-BEY-DOH outside the 72 hr window
#1004 BKK-DOH-CAI in F rebooked as BKK-DOH-BEY in QR F, BEY-CAI in C on ME
#1005 HEL-DOH-DXB rebooked HEL-DOH-MCT on QR and MCT-DXB on Oman once ticket status went to unconfirmed.
#1057 MAN-DOH-DXB rebooked as MAN-LHR-DXB on BA (had to HUACA 3 times)
#1141 Multiple ex-CAI itineraries CAI-DOK-BKK return in J, CAI-DOH-LHR return in J, CAI-DOH-BKK single in F changed to all be ex-KWI. Had to HUACA 3 times.
#1157 LXR-DOH-NRT booked in January, flight changed to CAI-DOH-NRT
#1172 Rebooked CAI-(F)-DOH(J)-BKK to CAI-(C/ME)-BEY-(F)-DOH-(C)-BKK at 77hrs from departure
#1173 Rebooked at QR office HBE-DOH-DPS to HBE-IST-DOH-DPS on TK/TK/QR and improved timing on DOS-DPS segment
Offical guidance from QR website as of mid July:
Passengers who have purchased their tickets from Qatar Airways have the following options to refund their tickets:
For tickets booked on qatarairways.com, they can:
Passengers who have purchased their Qatar Airways tickets through a Travel Agency can request their refund from the issuing Travel Agent.
For tickets booked on qatarairways.com, they can:
- Go to Refund requests;
- They can approach their nearest Qatar Airways Office; or
- They can call the Qatar Airways contact Centre at +974 4022 0072
- Contact their nearest Qatar Airways Office; or
- Call Qatar Airways Contact Centre on +974 4022 0072
Passengers who have purchased their Qatar Airways tickets through a Travel Agency can request their refund from the issuing Travel Agent.
Within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kingdom of Bahrain and Egypt please use: https://refundsapp1.blueivysync.com/...er-refund.html
This is a different web form as the Qatar website is blocked from some of these countries.
This is a different web form as the Qatar website is blocked from some of these countries.
For further information and FAQs please visit: http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...002369667-FAQs
On the 6th of June flights from Qatar to Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (and vice versa) were suspended.
This includes all Qatar flights between Doha and Abu Dhabi, Abha, Alexandria–Borg el Arab, Bahrain, Buraydah, Cairo, Dammam, Dubai–Al Maktoum, Dubai–International, Gassim, Hofuf, Jeddah, Luxor, Madinah, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh, Sharjah, Tabuk, Ta'if and Yanbu.
Adding to this at 00:00 (UTC) on the 6th of June restrictions were put in place limiting flights to Doha to one particular corridor through the airspace of Bahrain. This has since been relaxed to two specific corridors through Bahrain airspace with a second corridor up the Saudi Arabia the new addition.
All other flights to other Qatar Airways destinations including the Maldives are still operating although some have delays due to the extended time required to avoid restricted airspace.
There are a couple of routes that are having to make fuel stops in Athens or Muscat but this seems to be dependent on the type of aircraft as well.
Details on the Airspace can be found here - https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/f...ain-and-egypt/
What about my Flights to other destinations?
Flights to Europe, Asia, Pacific and Norte America are operating as per schedule with minimal delays. There is no need to contact QR regarding these services.
Flights between Doha and Souto America are facing delays due to longer times and/or need for a technical stop-over. Flights to GRU and EZE are 2hr to 5hrs longer.
Flight between Doha and Africa/Middle East have longer flights times due to the airspace restrictions. Some routes like Doha to Khartoum have felt the full force of the restrictions with the flight now taking 2hr 30 mins longer than normal.
Qatar has begun to re-time flights to ensure the network continues running smoothly. Changes have been since Monday 12 June 2017, so it is advised to check your flight status and times on the Qatar website.
What about my flight to a suspended destination?
If you are due to fly in the next few days, search for alternative routings and note them down.
24 hours before your scheduled departure time, contact your LOCAL QR office, and ask for their assistance. Advise them that you have found an alternative routing which you would be willing to accept and see if they will book it for you.
If you are due to fly more than 5 days from today, try and relax. Do not panic and please do not call QR as you are blocking the lines for those flying in the next 24 hours. At this stage, Qatar is only offering options to those who are traveling in the next 24 hours.
Currently, people in the thread have suggested that Qatar is rebooking on flights through Muscat, Kuwait, Amman, Istanbul, Mumbai, Beirut, Athens and Tunis.
You can only get a refund if your booking is to one of the destinations listed at the top! (The number of people asking QR on Twitter for a refund of other flights is amazing)
What about other airlines?
Most other carriers in and out of Doha are still operating except for Air Arabia, Air Arabia Egypt, Air Cairo, EgyptAir, Emirates, Etihad, FlyDubai, Rotana Jet and Saudia.
Most other carriers are using the new restricted routes into Doha although provided the aircraft is not registered in Qatar they are allowed to use the Saudi Arabia or Egypt Airspace.
Timeline of Events:
5 June 2017
- UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Egypt withdraw licenses and close airspace
- All MS flights between CAI and DOH was zeroed out
- All GF flights between BAH and DOH closed for sale
- All QR flights between DOH and CAI closed for sale
- All QR staff travel was canceled
6 June 2017
- Airspace Restriction came into effect at 00:00 (UTC)
- All QR flights between DOH and UAE/Bahrain/KSA closed for sale
- QR flights between DOH and MLE still bookable
- QR Charters 3 aircraft from Jeddah to Muscat
7 June 2017
- QR Charters an aircraft from Jeddah to Kuwait
8 June 2017
- Qatar Airways website blocked in the UAE
- Qatar Airways offices in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain close
11 June 2017
- Second flight corridor added along the Saudi Arabia Coast
13 June 2017
- UAE Relaxes rules allowing non Qatari registered aircraft to use their airspace to/from Qatar but they are still not allowing flights between the UAE and Qatar from any operators.
- Egypt Relaxes rules allowing non Qatari registered aircraft to use their airspace to/from Qatar. The new rules also allow for non Qatar or Egypt registered aircraft to operate flights between the two countries.
14 June 2017
- Agreement between QR and BA/A3 on reticketing passengers (link below)
Further information:
- QR Travel Alert http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...bile_site=true
- QR FAQs http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...002369667-FAQs
- QR Charter flights arranged from Jeddah KSA to Muscat Oman http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...Muscat-to-Doha
- QR agreement with BA & A3 to reticket their flights http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...r-help-qr.html
- Political background and latest updates: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40155829
Qatar Airways - UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Egypt withdraw licenses and close airspace
Oct 13, 2017, 5:02 pm
#1471
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 5
I'm scheduled to fly from DFW>DXB via DOH next month and was advised to call in today to see what the options are. First one was the most ridiculous: DFW>DOH>IST>DXB for a total of 45 hours of flying time. Second option is DFW>DOH>KWI>DXB which is decent, but still way too long and inconvenient.
US customer "service" is saying they are requiring people to have to use their QR leg to Doha and then get rebooked on only Kuwait Airways or Turkish. It sucks because I'd rather just have them rebook me on DFW>LHR>DXB and vice-versa on AA/BA. Only other option is a refund.
Anyone else hitting a wall now?
US customer "service" is saying they are requiring people to have to use their QR leg to Doha and then get rebooked on only Kuwait Airways or Turkish. It sucks because I'd rather just have them rebook me on DFW>LHR>DXB and vice-versa on AA/BA. Only other option is a refund.
Anyone else hitting a wall now?
For DFW>DXB, only 2 options were:
DFW>DOH on Qatar, DOH>IST on Qatar, IST>DXB on Turkish
-OR-
DFW>DOH on Qatar, DOH>KWI on Qatar, KWI>DXB on Kuwait
Neither option is appealing for a 1 week trip.
Oct 13, 2017, 9:11 pm
#1472
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: BA Gold; AS MVP
Posts: 292
I would fully expect QR to require passengers to fly into its DOH hub when re-booking tickets. To fly to DOH on QR and then up to KWI on QR or Kuwait Airways, and then down to DXB on Kuwait Airways seems TOTALLY reasonable to me. Qatar Airways is, in my estimation, trying to assist passengers in the best way it can. An expectation that the airline would approve a flight from the US to London and down to Dubai flying on AA and BA is an unreasonable expectation, at least to me.
I am flying to JED in J/F class in the next week or so - originally I was booked on a direct DOH-JED QR flight. Instead, I am forced to fly LAX-DOH-MCT-JED. While not my preference, I certainly wouldn't expect Qatar Airways to approve LAX-LHR-JED on BA or an AA/BA combination.
Unreal expectations!
I am flying to JED in J/F class in the next week or so - originally I was booked on a direct DOH-JED QR flight. Instead, I am forced to fly LAX-DOH-MCT-JED. While not my preference, I certainly wouldn't expect Qatar Airways to approve LAX-LHR-JED on BA or an AA/BA combination.
Unreal expectations!
Oct 14, 2017, 6:57 pm
#1473
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: One World, Virgin
Posts: 36
Hi All, Apologies is this has been covered earlier but I didn't read 99 pages of post to find the answer. Please direct me to the answer.
I originally had CAI-BNE and was offered the chance to cancel or be re-routed through Singapore. I choose re-route. I have flown the first part of the journey but now need to bring forward my return flight due to work. Qatar are telling me that because my ticket was changed once I would not be allowed any further changes despite the ticket being in J. I can cancel but that will leave me in BNE and the cost of a return J flight to CAI is ridiculous. Do you think i can push Qatar to following the original fare rules?
Changes*: Not applicable (See reissue conditions)
Reissue: Allowed with restrictions
Penalty fee for ticket reissue between: 0.00 EGP / 1488.00 EGP (at today exchange rates 0.00 EGP / 1488.00 EGP)
Anyone been in this situation already? Any suggestions?
I originally had CAI-BNE and was offered the chance to cancel or be re-routed through Singapore. I choose re-route. I have flown the first part of the journey but now need to bring forward my return flight due to work. Qatar are telling me that because my ticket was changed once I would not be allowed any further changes despite the ticket being in J. I can cancel but that will leave me in BNE and the cost of a return J flight to CAI is ridiculous. Do you think i can push Qatar to following the original fare rules?
Changes*: Not applicable (See reissue conditions)
Reissue: Allowed with restrictions
Penalty fee for ticket reissue between: 0.00 EGP / 1488.00 EGP (at today exchange rates 0.00 EGP / 1488.00 EGP)
Anyone been in this situation already? Any suggestions?
Oct 14, 2017, 11:36 pm
#1474
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ADL
Programs: QFF, AAdvantage, All
Posts: 1,137
Hi All, Apologies is this has been covered earlier but I didn't read 99 pages of post to find the answer. Please direct me to the answer.
I originally had CAI-BNE and was offered the chance to cancel or be re-routed through Singapore. I choose re-route. I have flown the first part of the journey but now need to bring forward my return flight due to work. Qatar are telling me that because my ticket was changed once I would not be allowed any further changes despite the ticket being in J. I can cancel but that will leave me in BNE and the cost of a return J flight to CAI is ridiculous. Do you think i can push Qatar to following the original fare rules?
Changes*: Not applicable (See reissue conditions)
Reissue: Allowed with restrictions
Penalty fee for ticket reissue between: 0.00 EGP / 1488.00 EGP (at today exchange rates 0.00 EGP / 1488.00 EGP)
Anyone been in this situation already? Any suggestions?
I originally had CAI-BNE and was offered the chance to cancel or be re-routed through Singapore. I choose re-route. I have flown the first part of the journey but now need to bring forward my return flight due to work. Qatar are telling me that because my ticket was changed once I would not be allowed any further changes despite the ticket being in J. I can cancel but that will leave me in BNE and the cost of a return J flight to CAI is ridiculous. Do you think i can push Qatar to following the original fare rules?
Changes*: Not applicable (See reissue conditions)
Reissue: Allowed with restrictions
Penalty fee for ticket reissue between: 0.00 EGP / 1488.00 EGP (at today exchange rates 0.00 EGP / 1488.00 EGP)
Anyone been in this situation already? Any suggestions?
Oct 17, 2017, 3:18 am
#1475
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL, ICC Amb Plat, LH Freq Fly, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 635
HBE-DOH-LHR
I have an HBE-DOH-LHR ticket that was on BA codeshares originally then it moved to a Qatar flight to LHR in July but because the QCC blockage was still in place we agreed to park the tickets and I was told I could call up later and rebook.
They are now saying I can't rebook as the ticket had codeshares on it. I explained that this was never the original case and I would prefer to fly with Qatar anyway. So a few questions for people:
1) If I booked the tickets in mid January 2017 for flights in June 2017 when can I ask them to rebook me too? only to Mid Jan or to June 2018?
2) Is there any clear rules on the rebooking, they seem happy to book me out of Amman in Jordon on another ticket as it's a nearby Qatar route but all this nonsense now about rule changes, codeshares etc., it all differs to what I was told when the tickets were parked and I don't want a refund I want to use them.
Thanks
They are now saying I can't rebook as the ticket had codeshares on it. I explained that this was never the original case and I would prefer to fly with Qatar anyway. So a few questions for people:
1) If I booked the tickets in mid January 2017 for flights in June 2017 when can I ask them to rebook me too? only to Mid Jan or to June 2018?
2) Is there any clear rules on the rebooking, they seem happy to book me out of Amman in Jordon on another ticket as it's a nearby Qatar route but all this nonsense now about rule changes, codeshares etc., it all differs to what I was told when the tickets were parked and I don't want a refund I want to use them.
Thanks
Oct 17, 2017, 11:19 pm
#1476
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Middle Earth, and often worse
Programs: BAEC Silver, A3 Gold
Posts: 2,217
I would fully expect QR to require passengers to fly into its DOH hub when re-booking tickets. To fly to DOH on QR and then up to KWI on QR or Kuwait Airways, and then down to DXB on Kuwait Airways seems TOTALLY reasonable to me. Qatar Airways is, in my estimation, trying to assist passengers in the best way it can. An expectation that the airline would approve a flight from the US to London and down to Dubai flying on AA and BA is an unreasonable expectation, at least to me.
I am flying to JED in J/F class in the next week or so - originally I was booked on a direct DOH-JED QR flight. Instead, I am forced to fly LAX-DOH-MCT-JED. While not my preference, I certainly wouldn't expect Qatar Airways to approve LAX-LHR-JED on BA or an AA/BA combination.
Unreal expectations!
I am flying to JED in J/F class in the next week or so - originally I was booked on a direct DOH-JED QR flight. Instead, I am forced to fly LAX-DOH-MCT-JED. While not my preference, I certainly wouldn't expect Qatar Airways to approve LAX-LHR-JED on BA or an AA/BA combination.
Unreal expectations!
Yes, pacman3, I agree with your comment about "Unreal expectations!". It is what it is.
Oct 22, 2017, 1:11 pm
#1477
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Middle Earth, and often worse
Programs: BAEC Silver, A3 Gold
Posts: 2,217
And your point is?... Same old, same old .? I presume 
Qatar will stay in "siege mode" IMHO because they have lots of natural gas to sell to willing customers. They are certainly not interested in becoming a beholden/vassal state. Similarly QR is moving on - and expanding as their management sees fit.
Qatar will stay in "siege mode" IMHO because they have lots of natural gas to sell to willing customers. They are certainly not interested in becoming a beholden/vassal state. Similarly QR is moving on - and expanding as their management sees fit.
Last edited by msm2000uk; Oct 23, 2017 at 12:46 am
Oct 23, 2017, 9:08 am
#1478
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
The airline rumour mill has KSA opening its airspace to Qatar, but at an inflated user cost. Essentially imposing a fine rather than banning the carrier from overflights.
EDITED BY MODERATOR
EDITED BY MODERATOR
Last edited by msm2000uk; Oct 23, 2017 at 2:32 pm
Oct 23, 2017, 1:19 pm
#1479
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 131
agreed. The 8% load factor on the new DOH-OHS is doing wonders 😜
Oct 29, 2017, 7:18 pm
#1480
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dublin
Programs: Aer Lingus, United, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar
Posts: 292
Couple of observations on flying through DOH this time around.
Firstly, the Diet Coke and Tonic water is back in the lounge!! Relief��
The biggest thing I noticed this time was the strict carry on limits. 10kg in business. I only ever take carry on with me and my case was 11kg and it required some nice talking to check in lady about being 1kg over!!! Maybe this is a directive from up high because of the flight diversions because of the blockade.
Speaking of blockade, or what blockade??? I spent 2 days this time in Doha and nothing felt any different apart pictures of the emir everywhere!!!
Firstly, the Diet Coke and Tonic water is back in the lounge!! Relief��
The biggest thing I noticed this time was the strict carry on limits. 10kg in business. I only ever take carry on with me and my case was 11kg and it required some nice talking to check in lady about being 1kg over!!! Maybe this is a directive from up high because of the flight diversions because of the blockade.
Speaking of blockade, or what blockade??? I spent 2 days this time in Doha and nothing felt any different apart pictures of the emir everywhere!!!
Oct 29, 2017, 8:38 pm
#1481
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
The biggest thing I noticed this time was the strict carry on limits. 10kg in business. I only ever take carry on with me and my case was 11kg and it required some nice talking to check in lady about being 1kg over!!! Maybe this is a directive from up high because of the flight diversions because of the blockade.
Oct 30, 2017, 12:23 am
#1482
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL, AA 1MM LT GLD, SPG PLAT, National Exec Selc, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 8,278
For context, LHR definitely checked mine back in April and it was 12kg but they just asked I reshuffle some stuff with my computer bag. No checks on change of planes in DOH or in JED on the return.
Oct 31, 2017, 4:03 am
#1483
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dublin
Programs: Aer Lingus, United, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar
Posts: 292
Oct 31, 2017, 4:04 am
#1484
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dublin
Programs: Aer Lingus, United, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar
Posts: 292
I did notice that Hamad staff were randomly checking some bags headed for security and if they were over sending them back to be checked in.