A350 grounding - what is the longer term solution beyond re-utilising A330s?
May 28, 2022, 10:31 pm
#32
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum; Accor Le Club Platinum
Posts: 1,077
If I had a customer who consistently ground me down on negotiated terms, continually found fault with my product, shouted to the world how unsafe my product was and how poor my service was...I think I'd FIRE that customer and tell them to go pound sand.
That being said, I hope it is not too late for Airbus and QR to pull back from the brink.
That being said, I hope it is not too late for Airbus and QR to pull back from the brink.
May 31, 2022, 8:01 am
#33
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum; Accor Le Club Platinum
Posts: 1,077
This came out in a local Qatar pater today:
Qatar Airways issues detailed statement on Airbus A350 Aircraft | The Peninsula Qatar
Looks like QR is digging in its heels.
Qatar Airways issues detailed statement on Airbus A350 Aircraft | The Peninsula Qatar
Looks like QR is digging in its heels.
May 31, 2022, 9:42 am
#34
Join Date: May 2020
Location: LHR
Programs: OWE, *G
Posts: 219
One thing I imagine might be happening is that as frequencies to premium stations in Europe / US / Australia ramp back up they will suck up more and more of the Qsuites equipped 777s and therefore rotations to lower margin Asia destinations that may have temporarily had Qsuites 777 will now lose them and be downgraded to a 787/A330 given there is no A350 to change to. For example, LHR gains a 6th daily flight and FRA a third daily flight from July.
Last edited by Andrew35K; Jun 2, 2022 at 10:53 am Reason: Removing erroneous statement.
Jun 1, 2022, 12:38 am
#35
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MEL
Programs: DL, QF, QR Gold, MR Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,003
This came out in a local Qatar pater today:
Qatar Airways issues detailed statement on Airbus A350 Aircraft | The Peninsula Qatar
Looks like QR is digging in its heels.
Qatar Airways issues detailed statement on Airbus A350 Aircraft | The Peninsula Qatar
Looks like QR is digging in its heels.
I wonder how ALL the other airlines flying the A350 are dealing with this. Because it is a structural (design) issue, it can't be limited to QR planes. And yes, the 787s don't have this issue, so at least one other composite plane has solved it...
There is still room for an agreement to be reached.
Jun 1, 2022, 6:51 am
#36
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum; Accor Le Club Platinum
Posts: 1,077
I see this statement as just presenting (summarising) the QR position; it's not a really a change. I like that it's laid out clearly.
I wonder how ALL the other airlines flying the A350 are dealing with this. Because it is a structural (design) issue, it can't be limited to QR planes. And yes, the 787s don't have this issue, so at least one other composite plane has solved it...
There is still room for an agreement to be reached.
I wonder how ALL the other airlines flying the A350 are dealing with this. Because it is a structural (design) issue, it can't be limited to QR planes. And yes, the 787s don't have this issue, so at least one other composite plane has solved it...
There is still room for an agreement to be reached.
Jun 3, 2022, 11:32 pm
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: QRPC, BAEC
Posts: 682
Ultimately all this comes at the expense of passenger experience…the A330s are very sub-par product wise especially in Y and in my opinion is an unacceptable solution, they need to get it together and find an alternative solution real soon.
I was on an A330 flight to BKK a week ago where the purser came to me proactively to say “apologies for the old aircraft” at the end of the flight - which may indicate many complaints have been made and they are starting to realise this is a big problem where A330s are frequently used (i.e BKK)…..
I was on an A330 flight to BKK a week ago where the purser came to me proactively to say “apologies for the old aircraft” at the end of the flight - which may indicate many complaints have been made and they are starting to realise this is a big problem where A330s are frequently used (i.e BKK)…..
Jun 4, 2022, 12:40 am
#38
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,256
Ultimately all this comes at the expense of passenger experience…the A330s are very sub-par product wise especially in Y and in my opinion is an unacceptable solution, they need to get it together and find an alternative solution real soon.
I was on an A330 flight to BKK a week ago where the purser came to me proactively to say “apologies for the old aircraft” at the end of the flight - which may indicate many complaints have been made and they are starting to realise this is a big problem where A330s are frequently used (i.e BKK)…..
I was on an A330 flight to BKK a week ago where the purser came to me proactively to say “apologies for the old aircraft” at the end of the flight - which may indicate many complaints have been made and they are starting to realise this is a big problem where A330s are frequently used (i.e BKK)…..
Jun 4, 2022, 1:39 am
#39
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum; Accor Le Club Platinum
Posts: 1,077
I am certainly avoiding QR to BKK currently. Between the high risk of a terrible seat and lack of decent lounge, QR are shooting themselves in the foot to me. You can get the A380 to arrive in BKK at least which avoids the issue of plane swaps but the A380 departure time is enough to put me off currently (2.30am).
Jun 24, 2022, 10:42 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,819
Photos of the paint/fuselage issues and some additional information regarding the QR - Airbus dispute:
https://www.businessinsider.com/see-...reuters-2022-6
https://www.businessinsider.com/see-...reuters-2022-6
Aug 3, 2022, 5:51 am
#41
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 2,155
Airbus apparently upping the stakes again
https://www.reuters.com/business/aer...es-2022-08-03/
https://www.reuters.com/business/aer...es-2022-08-03/
Aug 3, 2022, 5:57 am
#42
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: QRPC, BAEC
Posts: 682
I guess the we’ll be seeing the A330s/A380s back for the foreseeable future then.
FYI This is QR’s lawyer for the case (he also worked on the litigation cases for MH370 and AF447) - https://shepherdqc.com/specialisms/aviation/
FYI This is QR’s lawyer for the case (he also worked on the litigation cases for MH370 and AF447) - https://shepherdqc.com/specialisms/aviation/
Last edited by nomadabroad; Aug 3, 2022 at 11:11 am
Aug 6, 2022, 4:38 am
#44
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,186
The B789 deliveries are so badly backed up that new orders will only be available for delivery around 6 months after the restart of the line. Quick fixes are only possible with CX or AY wet/dry leases.