Qatar Airways Shifts A380 Focus From Paris To Bangkok

You can't, on the one hand, criticize the US airlines for protectionism and claim that they're wrong about the gulf carriers, and then on the other hand claim that Emirates flies A380s to everywhere in the world for giggles [and therefore not a profit-motivated, conscientious business decision]. Either they're truly a profitable airline or they're not, but you need to pick a narrative...

I am very surprised they don't fly it to NYC... what's up with that?

To clarify the transit-in-Doha rule... can we fly JFK-DOH-BKK on a single AA award?

Perhaps the lower total cost of a trip to Bangkok allows people to splurge more on the flight?

The reason for this probably is the fact that many people with both deep pockets and average joes vacation in Thailand. Hamad is a connection airport btw

Puhhh..what a luck. Will fly from CDG 1week before they switch the plane:) What do you think Ben...the QR First Lounge won't be finished until September, right?

Like you I am surprised at Bangkok as being a destination they choose for the A380. I am surprised they didn't upgauge JFK or London.

What is Qatar's lounge like in Bangkok? Do you have a review? Do they use the Cathay Pacific Lounge or do they have their own lounge, especially with 4 daily flights and 2x A380 flights.

@ Greg -

Qatar doesn't have a lounge in Bangkok. They direct you to the Thai lounges in the E concourse, which seemed perfectly adequate to me. I'm surprised, too, that QR is using their A380's on this route. When I flew them last month in J, it did not look like an expense account crowd to me, but I guess you never know. The onboard lounge was sweet, as Lucky has reported, but it was practically empty. I have to wonder how long these onboard lounges will last. I feel like it's just a matter of time before they are reduced or replaced by seats.

There are also seats available on QR F CDG-DOH next year.

That´s on the A380 (QR40) leaving at 15:00.

At least QR39 is still operated by A380...

Etihad tweeted last week asking where their A380 should fly in addition to JFK, LHR, and SYD. Maybe they are considering getting some more either new from Airbus or used from MH?

https://twitter.com/etihadairways/status/595218871444844546

@ Philip -- The lounge in Doha? Should be open at the end of the month, last I heard.

@ Josh -- No, that requires two awards.

@ Lantean -- I guess ultimately they just have a very limited number of A380s, and it would take two of them to operate a JFK frequency.

@ Justin -- I don't have a "narrative." I think there's merit to what both sides are arguing.

I'm not as lucky as Philip, I was booked on the A380 from Paris to Doha in F in October, and my reservation now shows the flight will be operated by an A330 🙁
What a disappointment !!

I flew the QR 380 from Bangkok last month. It was packed in business, but I was still able to buy an exceptionally cheap fare. Can't imagine it's that high yielding.

Their new biz seat really is great. Service top notch. Genuinely impressed.

I fly on QR831 on the 19th on an AA Biz award, and my reservation still shows 773 as the aircraft. Going to the seat selection shows 773 also. BA website also shows 773 with no first class offered. Guess I'll find out in a few days. Pretty stoked if they do swap it on schedule!

Wow! why are you come to Bangkok. lol
I live in Bangkok i was since. That place is beautiful really.
Welcome to Bangkok 🙂

Hi Lucky, like Adrien I'm currently booked on CDG-DOH on QR42 which I booked as an AA award - given the change in planes now - would I be able to ask for a free cancellation or change?

Thanks

@ Bernice -- Technically not since you're still in the same class of service and the schedule has changed. That being said, if you call and get a good agent, they should be able to make an exception.

I was able to snag two first class seats on CAI-DOH-BKK-DOH-CAI using 65k Smiles miles. I just found out on FT (and confirmed on QR´s webpage) that in BKK first class passengers are invited to TG´s first class lounge! I just hope that by march 2016 the first class lounge in DOH will be opened 🙂 to make this trip even nicer.

Just booked QR 830/831 for under 500€ return in F. Wonder why you didn't mention this unique award fare by GOL in your blog.

@ Lucky - looks like QR42 CDG-DOH on 9/16 is still operated by an A380? On the airlineroute.net, it says "As of September 16, 2015," is this the last day it will be operated by an A380 or will there be an aircraft swap still on this day to a non-A380?