Article: Qatar Airways’ Bizarre Daily Melbourne-Adelaide Flight

[Voron]

Would it be possible if you only have carry on luggage to book this route (Doh-Adel via Mel) and get off at Melbourne and skip the last leg of the journey ?

The majority of passengers got off in MEL, only us ADL people were herded through to the make-shift security then up in a lift to the transit area.

Post automatically merged: Jan 19, 2023

voron was there any service between Melbourne to Adelaide like breakfast?

We were served a hot meat pie, and the same again ADL-MEL

 

[LoaderTosh]

We (wife and self) tried Qatar some years back. HKG DOH BCN, MAD DOH HKG. Will never use them again. BUT … I’m struggling to see what the “issue” is here. “Qatar Airways Doha-Adelaide Passengers Stuck Overnight in Melbourne Airport” certainly appears to be a headline compiled to finger Qatar as the villain. I checked Google flights DOH ADL. No issues there, the flight (QR988) is clearly highlighted “… 6 hrs 15 min layover Melbourne (MEL) …” AND THEN “… ! Overnight layover …” (in red). So no surprises for passengers at all. Two flights offered, same price, one without overnight layover, one with. “You pays your money, you makes your choice”. Perhaps “Corporate and Federal Shenanigans Plus Adelaide Airport’s Limited Hours of Service Leave Passengers Stuck Overnight in Melbourne Airport” would have been a less misleading headline.

 

[Mwenenzi]

From post on FT

So for anyone interested (especially @EmeraldLady ), here’s an update having just flown the service:

1. Boarding pass is issued as a single DOH - ADL
2. Once you’ve arrived in MEL, there will be a person holding a sign for ADL passengers. They will guide you to go through the international transit channel. There is a security check.
3. After this you will be deposited back into the International Departures area (airside)

Things to note:
- You cannot leave MEL airport. You must stay in the international transit area
- You clear Australian immigration and customs at ADL. Your checked bags will also arrive there
- MEL has a great selection of lounges - QF F, QF J, Amex Centurion, Marhaba and Plaza Premium BUT they are all closed during the hours of QR’s landing into MEL at 23:20 and the departure at 05:35 the following morning
- There are toilets and showers (own towel needed) at MEL as well as drinking water stations. Limited shops are open. There are vending machines available for snacks and soft drinks
- You can sprawl across a bench and try to sleep, it is reasonably comfortable
- QR being QR There is a small breakfast platter service offered in the MEL - ADL shuttle also if travelling J and a pie or sandwich if travelling Y

It isn’t actually that painful, time passed by quite quickly with a mixture of sleep, toilet break, walking around terminal and watching things on devices.

If the fare is cheaper than direct ADL service or if award availability is only showing for the DOH-ADL (via MEL) but not for direct services, I would say it’s still worth it as QR’s exceptional onboard product/service will make up for it. It’s not completely dreadful experience by any means!

Hope this helps

 

[AirbusA350]

Lol yes the author of that post (me) also posted it in another thread here as I figured it’d reach the more appropriate audience!

 

[Mwenenzi]

Lol yes the author of that post (me) also posted it in another thread here as I figured it’d reach the more appropriate audience!

Welcome to AFF
Hope you get to the real Melbourne some time!

 

[justinbrett]

Yes, I guess the question is does Border Force care if someone disembarks in MEL instead of ADL? I assume they might, but then again as both destinations are in the country they might not care (as opposed to say someone from the DOH-ADL-AKL flight with a BP that says DOH-AKL).

For an Australian citizen with an Australian passport, I don't think it really matters if they care or not. They have to process you.

For other nationalities, then I guess it becomes an issue (why did you book a fly to X and get off at Y?).

 

[AirbusA350]

Welcome to AFF
Hope you get to the real Melbourne some time!

Thanks for the welcome

Thankfully I have been to MEL before in 2019. This time we’re focusing on ADL, BNE/Gold Coast (with a brief 1 night stopover in SYD along the way)

 

[stump]

For an Australian citizen with an Australian passport, I don't think it really matters if they care or not. They have to process you.

For other nationalities, then I guess it becomes an issue (why did you book a fly to X and get off at Y?).

I need to fly Adelaide -Almaty via Doha .It will be $300-$400 cheaper if I fly through Melbourne .

 

[justinbrett]

I need to fly Adelaide -Almaty via Doha .It will be $300-$400 cheaper if I fly through Melbourne .

No we are talking about people booking DOH-MEL-ADL and getting off in MEL, with no intention of flying to Adelaide.

 

[Bwood9]

I have booked this flight DOH-ADL in October and plan to get off in MEL. I have no intention of going to ADL. I always fly HBO.

 

[RooFlyer]

HBA (Hobart)

No curfew Airport can accommodate international widebody planes

A bit late, and OT, sorry, but just to note that as a blanket statement, HBA can’t take international wide bodies, at least with fuel load - the runway is not strong enough (notwithstanding they lengthened it a few years ago). But in the scenario you are talking about - a hop to a major port, it would be presumably be OK.

A bigger hurdle would be the NIMBIES who already scream about the flight paths during the day!

 

[Spizz]

I have booked this flight DOH-ADL in October and plan to get off in MEL. I have no intention of going to ADL. I always fly HBO.

How are you getting your luggage off?

 

[Mattg]

How are you getting your luggage off?

I assume HBO in this context means Hand Baggage Only

(Sometimes AFF members use HLO to mean the same thing - Hand Luggage Only)

 

[dajop]

A bit late, and OT, sorry, but just to note that as a blanket statement, HBA can’t take international wide bodies, at least with fuel load - t

The smaller ones perhaps? But maybe not the modern ones. Back at the turn of the century SQ used to run regular summer charters to HBA from SIN (non-stop), I think in 777-200s, A340s and A310s.

 

[RooFlyer]

Back at the turn of the century SQ used to run regular summer charters to HBA from SIN (non-stop), I think in 777-200s, A340s and A310s.

I wasn't in town then, but I'm dubious, although happy to be corrected. Not passengers at any rate - possibly seasonal fresh produce freight, like CX did to HKG until covid.

In 2018 the runway was extended by 500m to 2,751m. It was then supposed to take fully laden B777 and A340s. But in either a cough-up or otherwise, its reported that it now needs strengthening to do that (ie fully laden 'Code E' aircraft). The owners of HBA are after government to pay, as it will be a 'public good'.

 

[dajop]

I wasn't in town then, but I'm dubious, although happy to be corrected. Not passengers at any rate - possibly seasonal fresh produce freight, like CX did to HKG until covid.

No passenger charters - I remember seeing SQ plane there on one occassion and wondering about it.

A History of International Flights to Hobart – YMHB Spotting

ymhb.net

 

[frequentflyer91]

Does anyone think it would be possible to book this as a reward ticket (more availability than just doha to Melbourne) and then get off in Melbourne?

 

[TheRealTMA]

Does anyone think it would be possible to book this as a reward ticket (more availability than just doha to Melbourne) and then get off in Melbourne?

I doubt it. Can one book and pay?
I would “assume” uplifting domestic pxs is not permitted by their licences.

 

[dajop]

I doubt it. Can one book and pay?
I would “assume” uplifting domestic pxs is not permitted by their licences.

I took this as meaning the old question in this thread, booking as DOH-ADL and getting off in MEL and not reboarding/taking final sector to ADL, where uplifting domestic px (cabotage rules) doesn't come into it, and not the other way around (booking as ADL-DOH and getting off in MEL!), which would be a bit of a waste of points

 

[TheRealTMA]

I took this as meaning the old question in this thread, booking as DOH-ADL and getting off in MEL and not reboarding/taking final sector to ADL, where uplifting domestic px (cabotage rules) doesn't come into it, and not the other way around (booking as ADL-DOH and getting off in MEL!), which would be a bit of a waste of points

Ahh. Yes, didn’t read the post correctly.
Possibly there would not be a great point differential, but airline may get a little annoyed at the OP.