For those of you that haven’t been following along with the Drama in Doha (my new term for anything involving His Excellency, Mr. Akbar Al Baker):
- In April, Qatar Airways announced they’d launch A380 service to London as of June 17, 2014
- Last week, Qatar Airways announced they’d launch A380 service to Paris as of July 3, 2014
- A few days ago, Qatar Airways announced they’d delay their A380 service to London until July 1, 2014
The delay in A380 service was puzzling, and especially frustrating for me since I was booked on the inaugural flight (and booked several positioning flights around it). I hoped that when they announced the new inaugural for July 1 that they actually had a firm plan in place. If there’s going to be a huge delay in A380 service it’s just crappy of them to keep announcing dates and pushing them back. People are excited about the plane and want to book it, and it’s just not fair to keep changing schedules on them. I mean, look at the new A380 inaugural on July 1 — it’s sold out in first class.
Qatar Airways A380 first class cabin
So if they don’t know when they’ll actually start A380 service, they just shouldn’t publish the schedule, in my opinion.
Per Reuters, it looks like we now have a real update as to what happened:
Qatar Airways has delayed taking delivery of its first Airbus A380 by “several weeks” while the planemaker tackles last-minute problems with the cabin, the airline’s chief executive told Reuters.
The airline has asked Airbus to address requests it made after the usual pre-delivery customer inspection, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said on Friday.
“It is customary for the inspection process of delivering a new aircraft to an airline to go through several rounds, and this is not deemed to be an unusual case, though this will lead to a delay of several weeks before its first scheduled commercial route will commence service,” Al Baker said in an emailed statement.
The delay is because of “issues with the interior of the cabin”, he added.
Airbus confirmed the delay, with a spokeswoman saying: “Qatar Airways and Airbus have agreed to some fine-tuning elements on the first A380 to be delivered to Qatar … New dates will be communicated once confirmed.”
I think it’s highly unlikely that Qatar Airways will actually start A380 service in July, so if you’re booked to London or Paris, I wouldn’t count on flying the A380.
I don’t think I was too far off in my conjecture at the bottom of my last post:
But I’m sure His Excellency will chime in soon with an explanation. My guess? “I told Airbus almost three weeks ago that I wanted to install a third floor private villa with falcon quarters, and they told me it would take at least six weeks. This is ridiculous, what am I suppose to tell the royal family?” Or something like that. 😉
I posted a link to this video at the bottom of my last post, but I think it’s worth reposting. This Richard Quest interview with His Excellency really tells you everything you need to know about him and what’s going on:
Could you imagine having that guy inspect the plane you’re delivering to him?
On the plus side, at least the new Hamad International Airport has a 35,000 pound, 23 foot, $6.8 million dollar teddy bear on display.
I booked the first class ticket of the inaugural flight from CAI to LHR via DOH also. But as per their new schedule, no seats available in the first class so maybe I will miss the inaugural flight unfortunately.
@lucky I booked the first class ticket from CAI to LHR via DOH on Jun 17th. But as per their new schedule, no seats in first class is available so maybe i will miss the inaugural flight. sigh...
Perhaps they will get the new airport fully functional and A380s flying by the time the World Cup comes around... if they don't get it taken away.
@ Ivan Y -- Whoops, thanks!
I'm guessing 85% of the passengers booked on the flight don't even know/care it's the inaugural. They're just going because they need to be at a certain destination.
Damn, I'm booked for early July and can't change my dates. Specifically booked QR for the A380 :/
I have booked all 8 seats on the inaugural flight for some of our customers and myself. Based the ne information from QR PR and Airbus the flight will take place. If somebody is interested to join in First we can Waitlist the People and in Business the cabin is wide open. I recommand to start the jouney in Cairo because First Class Cairo - Doha - London is just 1400 Euros and Business Class...
I have booked all 8 seats on the inaugural flight for some of our customers and myself. Based the ne information from QR PR and Airbus the flight will take place. If somebody is interested to join in First we can Waitlist the People and in Business the cabin is wide open. I recommand to start the jouney in Cairo because First Class Cairo - Doha - London is just 1400 Euros and Business Class just 550 Euros. I am in touch with Qatar Airways an das soon as I receive any information about the inaugural I will post them.
Lucky,
I have to say I'm surprised that you didn't expect this. I think you have published several times the crazyness of Akbar; "I have no plans to be in New York for the press conferance to announce QR as new OW airline", "I have no plans to purchase paper airplanes from Boeing" and three days later "Boeing is an outstanding company and is why we place a mutli-billion dollar order with them." Then there...
Lucky,
I have to say I'm surprised that you didn't expect this. I think you have published several times the crazyness of Akbar; "I have no plans to be in New York for the press conferance to announce QR as new OW airline", "I have no plans to purchase paper airplanes from Boeing" and three days later "Boeing is an outstanding company and is why we place a mutli-billion dollar order with them." Then there is the epic fail of the new airport which is probably should have been delayed by another year but was probably rushed so that Akbar could land his new A380's... oh but they are not ready.
I would never put my hard earned money and or miles on Qatar Airways, or anything in Doha, to every be delivered on time, insha allha.
Is it still safe for you to travel to Doha? They are not the friendliest bunch
Been to Doha, ok, but certainly no reason to go back.
Well I have to say as crazy a this dude it I love his attention to detail. I don't know if I would like to work for him but I would love to work with him.
As for the teddy bear I cant stop laughing at the comments people left at the above link. That's some good stuff.
Let's see the teddy bear. Pictures please
@ where is rahul -- Here it is: http://www.qatarliving.com/news/posts/hamad-international-airport-hold-68-million-teddy-bear