I know I’m not the only person in this hobby that’s mildly addicted to the A380. As far as the ”big three” Middle Eastern carriers go, I know many have already booked Emirates A380 First Class and Etihad A380 First Class Apartments, though snagging Qatar Airways A380 First Class seems to be more challenging.
Continue reading: Are Qatar Airways A380 First Class Awards Ever Available?
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I must admit I'm ambivalent towards QR First, and I'm a First hound! Business, no worries, I'm down for that. First meh - I'll take Etihad (and I'm as much a Krug lover as you Lucky - I even buy it at home, an expensive habit). First seems like an afterthought for Qatar, although maybe when the DOH First Lounge finally opens perhaps an incentive may exist (but it'll have to be a legendary lounge).
I have 40 Qcredits left with Qatar's Privilege club, expiring in July...Thinking about flying FRA-CAI in Y (250Euro) and buying a oneway CAI-CDG for 620 Euro in J and then upgrading with the Qcredits to F. Not sure if it's worth the effort (4h Y :-)) and money? Just feeling bad not to use those Qcredits 🙂
We were able to snag 2 seats for a Sunday evening flight this May out of CDG thanks to your post back on August 21st last year!
Is it 40k AA miles from CDG to Asia or just middle east, a place I have no desire to visit right now
@ Lucky
Can you explain why short haul awards via DOH are never available in advance?
@ Dan -- How are you defining "in advance?" Just pulled up random dates in June, and almost every flight between Doha and Dubai had first class award availability.
@ Thomas -- Hah, that's a toughie, and something only you can answer. Sounds sort of fun, in my opinion!
http://www.brusselsairlines.com/en-be/misc/meet_rackham.aspx?awc=5637_1426596389_f9ea1811b6f8fb18e7311e70e9ef10fe#scheduleofrackham
Disguised as the famous shark submarine from the Tintin album “Red Rackham’s Treasure”, our Airbus A320, baptized as “Rackham”, will cleave the air every day of the year in search of new adventures.
Another trip report we all will be looking forward to 🙂
hmmmm... I don't even see A380 on AUH-CDG route in December/January... are they taking it off this route? is this the plane they will be using for BKK?
Can you please share the tool you use to check award seat availability. I know this may be a very basic question, but can't seem to find that piece of information. Much rather do my own research over spending hours on the phone with AAdvantage reps.
Thanks!
Barely anything at all on QR from Europe in late December and nothing to short haul places either whatsoever in that general timeframe So I am not sure if QR opens up awards only a certain time in advance that you are aware of as that is 9 months away so I am thinking that could be it?
@ Dan -- There's no denying they're incredibly arbitrary with how they release space, so I don't really think there are any consistent patterns. You just have to keep searching with them.
@ Steven -- I recommend BA's website:
https://onemileatatime.com/british-airways-search-tool/
@ Lantean -- They're just extremely arbitrary with how they release space. I see space in November, but not so much in December/January. You'll just have to keep checking.
Agree entirely with your conclusion that it is really isn't necessary to fly First on Qatar - it is just not that much better than Business.
Lucky, just to update you: just snagged an award on the A380 between BKK and DOH. I don't know whether there's any difference between partner award and Privilege Club award space though (I redeemed my QR miles)
Hi Ben,
If I'm using AA miles, does AA allow routing from US to Asia via DOH on QR all on the same award without using two awards?
Thanks.
Hey Lucky!!!
I was wondering what the AA mile redemption would be for a one way first class ticket from BKK to CDG via DOH? Does AA even allow that? Many thanks in advance!!
Levi