Qatar - Transit in DOH - 45min? Really?

[LittleFokker]

I'm looking at EDI-xDOH-BKK J on Qatar via a QFF redemption. Both Qantas and the Qatar site show flights QR30-QR834 with a transit of 45 minutes.

Is this achievable or am I realistically looking at an upcoming missed connection?

thanks

 

[LittleFokker]

Well, now I know the answer !

Our flight from EDI was delayed by 60 min so of course we missed the connecting flight in DOH. Qatar handled it very smoothly - they're obviously used to it with 45 min transits.

We spent 6 hours in the Doha J lounge noming and snoozing. Have to say the lounge is architecturally amazing.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

If it was on schedule it would have been quite achievable It's worth at least trying, knowing you are protected either way

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Well, now I know the answer !

Our flight from EDI was delayed by 60 min so of course we missed the connecting flight in DOH. Qatar handled it very smoothly - they're obviously used to it with 45 min transits.

We spent 6 hours in the Doha J lounge noming and snoozing. Have to say the lounge is architecturally amazing.

Could be some nice EU compensation coming your way!! Like 600 euros each unless there were extraordinary circumstances?

 

[LittleFokker]

Could be some nice EU compensation coming your way!! Like 600 euros each unless there were extraordinary circumstances?

That's very interesting - I'll make enquiries....

thx

 

[LittleFokker]

From elsewhere on the intertubes ...

For refund purposes, European Passenger Rights Regulation EC 261/04 (which also guarantees compensation for flight delays, flight cancellations and overbookings) only considers the delay at the passenger’s final destination.

• The threshold for missed flight compensation is a delay of three hours or more at your destination airport. That means that a cancellation or even a short delay of the first flight can entitle the passenger to a payment of up to €600 – if that cancellation or delay caused the passenger to miss a connection flight and, as a result, reach the final destination with a delay of three hours or more.

Woo hoo ! (Assuming destination airport doesn't have to be in the EU)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

From elsewhere on the intertubes ...

For refund purposes, European Passenger Rights Regulation EC 261/04 (which also guarantees compensation for flight delays, flight cancellations and overbookings) only considers the delay at the passenger’s final destination.

• The threshold for missed flight compensation is a delay of three hours or more at your destination airport. That means that a cancellation or even a short delay of the first flight can entitle the passenger to a payment of up to €600 – if that cancellation or delay caused the passenger to miss a connection flight and, as a result, reach the final destination with a delay of three hours or more.

Woo hoo ! (Assuming destination airport doesn't have to be in the EU)

Nope - it's the final destination on your ticket for that day (if the connecting flight is a separate tickets that isn't eligible)

 

[LittleFokker]

Thanks MEL_Traveller ! My wife is looking at me strangely as I sit with my toes in the sand in the Maldives filling in a UK CAA form that I just downloaded.

 

[LittleFokker]

Response from Qatar (Emphasis mine)

"Dear Little Fokker,

Thank you for your email dated 3 August 2016.

We are sorry to learn of the delay of your flight on QR30 / 26 July 2016 and of any inconvenience resulting from this delay.

Our records indicate that your flight departed Edinburgh 01 hour 22 minutes later than scheduled due to technical reasons. Whilst we seek your kind understanding that disruptions of this nature can be unforeseen and beyond our control, we would like to reassure you that every effort is made to ensure the prompt operation of all our flights and to minimize any potential disruption which may be caused to our valued customers' travel plans.

As a result of that delay, you regrettably arrived in Doha later than scheduled and consequently missed your connecting flight QR834 / 27 July 2016 to Bangkok.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience which may have been caused.

We appreciate the time you have taken to write to us and continue to look forward to another opportunity of welcoming you on our services in the near future.
"

I've written back quoting from Section 5(b) of “Interpretative Guidelines on Regulation (EC) No 261/2004

"5 EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES

b. Technical defects

The Court49 has clarified further that a technical problem which comes to light during aircraft maintenance or is caused by failure to maintain an aircraft cannot be regarded as ‘extraordinary circumstances’. The Court takes the view that even where a technical problem which has occurred unexpectedly is not attributable to poor maintenance and is not detected during routine maintenance checks, such technical problem does not fall within the definition of ‘extraordinary circumstances’ when it is inherent in the normal exercise of the activity of the air carrier."

I'm on a mission!

 

[LittleFokker]

** Update **

Well, 8 weeks went by with no response from Qatar so I filed a complaint with the UK Retail Ombudsman, who:

"We hear complaints about member and non-member airlines. Our members are bound by our Code of Practice and Membership Rules, part of which states that they will be bound by any decision that we make.

Non-member airlines will not be legally bound by our decisions, although it is likely that they will observe such decisions. However, on occasions where we find in the consumer's favour and the airline does not observe our decision, consumers can take their complaint to the small claims court armed with our decision."

Turns out Qatar is a non-member so I didn't expect an enforceable decision. I lodged the complaint, received a reply later that week saying that they had contacted Qatar about the complaint and were waiting on a response. Then after two weeks another reply from the Ombusdman saying that as Qatar is a non-member they can't help and have closed my complaint request!

Meh!

Next step is to file the complaint with the UK Civil Aviation Authority, Passenger Advice and Complaints Team. Again, not enforceable or binding on Qatar but useful if I go to the small claims court.... If the CAA go the same way as the Retail Ombudsman, then I'll bit the bullet and give it to a 3rd party agency for collection (at 30% commission)...

 

[LittleFokker]

Ah ha!

"Thank you for writing to us again and please accept our apologies for our late reply.
In accordance to EU Regulations, we would like to offer you EUR600/- as compensation for the inconvenience caused. Kindly advise which one of our offices would be most convenient for you to liaise with in order for us to advise you on how to claim the amount."

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Nice one!!

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

Ah ha!

"Thank you for writing to us again and please accept our apologies for our late reply.
In accordance to EU Regulations, we would like to offer you EUR600/- as compensation for the inconvenience caused. Kindly advise which one of our offices would be most convenient for you to liaise with in order for us to advise you on how to claim the amount."

Being paid Eur600 to soak up the pleasures of the Doha lounge for a few hours: Priceless...
:mrgreen: (emoticon to be interpreted as 'green with envy'...)

 

[BillytheFIsh]

Nice. I reckon you owe MEL_Traveller a drink or two !

 

[LittleFokker]

Nice. I reckon you owe MEL_Traveller a drink or two !

i was just thinking that !

 

[LittleFokker]

Being paid Eur600 to soak up the pleasures of the Doha lounge for a few hours: Priceless...
:mrgreen: (emoticon to be interpreted as 'green with envy'...)

i had so much fun that I've booked the same flights / transit for Easter 17

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

i had so much fun that I've booked the same flights / transit for Easter 17

Cunning Plan. You win either way: on time arrival; or well subsidised lounging.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

i was just thinking that !

The vicarious element is enough

i had so much fun that I've booked the same flights / transit for Easter 17

Hmmm... I'm not sure what to make of QR ATM. MH's former commercial director has now taken up the same post at QR. It's hard to know whether lessons have been learned.

 

[Mattg]

Well, I just came across this thread and what can I say - it's been an interesting ride with a good outcome, eventually.

I do wonder why airlines like QR allow 45 minute connections when the consequences for not meeting the tight connection are very expensive. Perhaps they assume most passengers won't bother going through all the hard work that LittleFokker has...

 

[NZflygirl]

Weird my space bar wouldn't work when replying to quote but this is in response to mattg's quote. I suspect they figure people wouldn't bother with the EU261 course of action let alone know about it. Only done 1 trip through QR but was very impressed with the fast connection and bags making it with a "rapid transfer" tag on the way through and a "long transfer" or something equivalent on the way back. Wish I'd have read about the transit hotel prior.