A lot of airlines are rethinking their fleets as a result of the current pandemic, and Qatar Airways is no exception. The airline has revealed two surprising (to me) updates about the future of the Boeing 777.
Continue reading: Qatar Airways’ Surprising 777 Retirement Plans
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
The A350 feels like a better fit for Qatar than the old-generation B777. The Airbus offers a higher quality passenger experience, which is ideal for an airline which is marketing itself as selling a premium product (at least in J).
The existing tiny 1st Class product (on the A380 only) is primarily for high-wealth individuals shuttling to and from London (where Qatar has *massive* investments in property and businesses). They’ll need to offer something similar to replace it when the A380s are retired, which might be sooner than we’d imagined.
But there’s also politics, with Qatar using its commercial aviation buying power to secure concessions from US or EU governments, depending on its immediate needs.
A potentially huge Boeing contract serves to focus The Donald’s money-obsessed mind, and weakens his enthusiasm for Qatar’s arch-enemy Saudi Arabia.
Al Baker is being vague because there’s everything to play for.
agreed, the nice Paul, I’m always glad when it isn’t the super noisy 777. the A350 is so much more pleasant from a passenger perspective. At least when no A380 is around.
Curious, while I’m at it. I’ve had a YUL-doh-cpt round trip booked with Qatar, for March. Cancelled, of course, got a voucher. Tried to get instead rebooked for December to avoid having to pay any price difference. Used their online option to sort that. Been an open case/ticket since then (ie March). Should I try to ring em?
Well, I’m certainly looking forward to the 777X. I think it will have a great passenger experience especially up front. It’s the right jet for QR and the right jet to replace its 77W fleet
With all these retirements, used 777s are going to be available for like $100.
This is perfectly on-brand. They got A350s for days in the current situation, and the 777X will fill in the gaps where necessary. They'll probably retire the -200LR variant last, else how would they operate flights to California and Auckland?
I just don’t get it!! Their new ones are only one year old(A7-BEX)!! Whilst their older ones (A7-BAA, BAB etc) are over a decade old they are actively refitting with Qsuites. I love Qatar Airways but their decisions just done seem to make sense at all at the moment?!?
Good riddance to the 777; the A350s are so much more comfortable and quiet. Let's hope the 777Xs are going to be just as quiet as the A350s, but I heard that they have even less insulation!
Ben, come on!
Use your spare money you have amassed over the years and buy Delta's 777 and Qatar's 777 for cheap to start your own airline.
Oh My God. What is Qatar even up to? Call me a weirdo, but QR is starting to sound as hilarious as Global Ghana or WOWAir Cargo or something. I get it QR, you love to keep your planes fresh and new. But they are gonna use it for just 5 years?!?! Oh, Even their A380s served the airline for 10 years. No airline has ever failed with the 777s (when using the hub-and-spoke system). And if that's the case, they just spent hella lotta money on revamping their J Class. They could've spent that money on acquiring new aircraft or revamping their 'old' A350s. And well, where the hell did First Class come from?! I honestly can't say if they can even come up with a good First Class product since First Class isn't really their game (But it's Qatar, anything could happen lol). And I get that point as well, they gotta keep up AlSafwa lounge opened up after 2028 (when their last A380 gets retired ofc). If that's the case, I wouldn't be surprised if they are introducing their Premium Economy QSeats product lol.
No offence but they seem to have no long-term strategies and that could potentially topple them off their business. QR is just an amazing airline and I love their premium product but then the fact that they have no fixed stance is really concerning.
Fun fact: Qatar Airways is currently the biggest airline in the world, transporting more passengers than the 4 following airlines combined.
As Akbar Al Baker has decided to get everyone back home instead of grounding the whole fleet, Qatar is showwing off how to be passenger friendly.
Well, Qatar Airways never planned to install any first class in the A380 initially. And it wasn‘t AAB‘s choice to do so. But they were basically told by their owners/government that a first class is expected for certain Qatari passengers (i.e. everyone who isn‘t high enough up in the royal family to simply use the executive fleet, as e.g. some ministers etc.). That also explains why the first class cabin on the A380 is nothing to write home about - compared to what you would expect from them or comparing with their direct rivals in the region.
People can't you see through all the crap Akbar Al Baker is doing to get attention?
777 is a great place and QR will fly 77W for 10 more years.
Come back and read this in 2030.
Any word on the A330s? They’re supposed to be retired shortly but I’m still booked on one next April from SEZ.
@Udo Hello Yes, I had the same issue as you with a 75 day wait period. If you are a Privilege Club member, call their support line and ask to be put on the Priority refund list. They will then process your refund within 48 hours. If you’re not a privilege club member, just call the normal line and I’m sure everything will be fine. Good luck
Mark5. A Qatari local is exactly what it sounds like a Qatari born national and not an expat. Most Gulf countries have fewer locals than all the expats that make up the country.