Qatar Airways First A380 Delivered

Qatar Airways First A380 Delivered

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I’m not sure whether to be happy or sad that the Qatar Airways A380 Real Housewives-esque drama may be over.

For anyone that has been following the drama (in other words, for anyone that has been reading my blog), Qatar Airways has perpetually been delaying the delivery of their A380s due to some “interior” problems.

For months, Qatar Airways delayed their A380 service on a super-frequent basis as Airbus worked to fix the issues:

However, as I posted about last week, Qatar Airways has finally approved the A380 and took delivery of their first one this week.

Was Airbus not at fault for the delays?

The first piece of interesting news now that Qatar has taken delivery of their first A380 is that Airbus may not actually be responsible for the delays.

Via Doha News:

Meanwhile, Al Baker seemed keen yesterday to smooth over earlier disputes with Airbus, saying the plane maker was not to blame for the delays to the delivery of the aircraft.

Backtracking on previous remarks made in July, he added that that the postponement was due to Qatar Airways’ commitment to quality.

Huh? So Airbus isn’t to blame, but rather the issue is… Qatar Airways’ commitment to quality?

are-you-kidding-me

Kind of contradicts what His Excellency was saying before, no?

Pictures of Qatar’s A380 first & business class cabins

Australian Business Traveller posted a photo tour of Qatar’s first and business class cabins on the A380 today, and it looks beautiful.  These are the first images I’ve seen which aren’t computer generated. Of course, Qatar’s premium cabin products (in particular first class) don’t really compare all that favorably to Etihad’s A380 cabins (cue Dannii Minogue’s bloodcurdling scream).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLZ2iDLPcxw?t=12s

It’s exactly what was previewed by Qatar when they showed off their new cabins back in March of this year. I know I was secretly hoping that they’d one-up Etihad with new cabins, given how ridiculous His Excellency is. However, I realize the logistics of introducing a new cabin in a matter of months is a stretch, but you’d hope for a bit more given how late the aircraft is entering into service.

I just flew the same business class product on their 787, and it was fantastic. The only downside I can think about is that there are only 48 business class seats, which will make it tougher to get award seats given the ratio of premium seats to economy class seats (there are a total of only 56 first and business class seats, while there are 461 economy seats).

Qatar-Airways-787-Business-Class-1
Qatar Airways business class seat

Will Qatar actually start A380 service on October 10?

By default the inaugural flight between Doha and London Heathrow has been scheduled for October 10, 2014 for a while now. That date was really more a result of them constantly pushing back service rather than an intentional decision, but it seems that they’re sticking to an October 10 inaugural flight, at least for now.

I assume they’ll be doing some crew familiarization flights over the coming weeks, so the October 10 date doesn’t sound unrealistic. At the same time, with His Excellency at the helm you never know.

I’m booked on the inaugural flight, and I’ll be sure to post my thoughts right away. Assuming His Excellency doesn’t delay the inaugural again due to a stray carpet fiber, of course. Though my biggest hope with the inaugural is that His Excellency makes an appearance — I’ll try not to fanboy… too much.

Does anyone else have plans to fly Qatar’s A380 soon? There are just over three weeks left before it enters into service!

 

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  1. Ivan Y Diamond

    @ Lucky -- I can't believe they didn't invite you to be at the press reveal!

    Interestingly, AusBT commenters don't seem to be too impressed with F, especially since it's on the upper-deck and isn't a suite like most other newer F products.

  2. Al Guest

    I shall never understand why EY appointed Dannii as their A380 spokesperson.

  3. Brad N Guest

    Lucky...you missed the best quotes!! Here is His Excellence talking about his "rivals"

    “We apologize that we have no residence, no suites, no butlers. But we have class,”

    “Most customers have decided to go for Business Class,” Mr. Akbar Al Baker tells us. “It’s where we see our highest demand.”

    Reference is from this article: http://skift.com/2014/09/17/qatar-airways-isnt-getting-into-a-luxury-arms-race-with-other-gulf-carriers/#1

  4. RakSiam Diamond

    certainly plenty of curves. That's probably what took so long.

    The F class seats almost seem too far away from the entertainment screens.

  5. wwk5d Guest

    Business class looks good. And while First Class looks classy (no pun intended), those seats seem a bit behind the curve.

    Love how economy gets a nice view of the lounge they don't get access to lol

  6. Lantean Diamond

    wow... this was worth the wait. and hopefully unlike Etihad they won't run out of food!

  7. Joey Diamond

    No plans on flying Qatar A380 but hope to do so once it starts the DOH-JFK route. Looking forward to your first impressions!!! If you can take a selfie pic with His Excellency, that would be really cool!!! ;)

  8. Andrew SJC Guest

    Probably held up by seat or equipment vendors

  9. Sven Guest

    Yes Ben, ill be on the 10th October flight to London in First.

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The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Qatar Airways A380 Doesn't Belong to Them - View from the Wing Guest

[…] past week Lucky noted that the first Qatar Airways A380 was delivered. It’s been a bizarre, bumpy road getting there not least of which because of the Qatar […]

0
Ivan Y Diamond

@ Lucky -- I can't believe they didn't invite you to be at the press reveal! Interestingly, AusBT commenters don't seem to be too impressed with F, especially since it's on the upper-deck and isn't a suite like most other newer F products.

0
Al Guest

I shall never understand why EY appointed Dannii as their A380 spokesperson.

0
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