How well do QF handle mis-connects at DXB?

[BD1959]

Hi All,

I have a choice of connections at DXB. QF8074 (EK74 from CDG) into either QF10 or QF8408 (EK408). The connection into QF10 is only 75mins - but gets me in to MEL an hour earlier than EK408. I'm familiar with DXB (too familiar!) so am aware of the delights of an empty security queue on a A -> A transit and the doom-laded feelings of a B -> A transit when the pens are heaving at security; I'm also aware of the way that EK expedite short connecting customers (though have never had to use it myself).

I've also had the misfortune to misconnect at DXB on an EK -> EK transit (both QF codeshares) and that was handled efficiently: my new boarding pass was waiting for me at the EK Connections desk on landing.

My question is: given the possibility of EK74 leaving CDG 30+ mins late (and in my experience this happens probably 30% of the time for CDG departures) does anyone have experience of how well QF handle misconnects at DXB if I should miss QF10? Would they look to put me on the next EK flight (hopefully QF8408) or would they make me wait for QF2 ... assuming space etc??

Do I risk QF10 or do I book QF8408?

Status: QF SG, which seems to mean more to EK than it does QF!!

Regards,

BD

 

[Jack_OC]

No specific experience re DXB, but what class will you be flying? If J then I would be very wary of a short connection, because if J is already full on the next flight (and it could well be), then I think you would be looking at either a long wait in DXB or a downgrade.

TBH, I don't like very short connections between long haul flights, even if they come off. With a 75 minute turnaround, at best you would be going pretty much straight from one flight to another. I'd much rather an extra hour to stretch my legs, visit the lounge etc. But obviously that's just a personal preference!

 

[gaz0303]

I've only had very poor experiences.
1. Missed connect from MAN to DXB on EK metal to QF metal, all QF ticketed. EK unable to provide a new ticket in DXB due to a ticketing issue. I eventually got a ticket due to manager override at the last minute to make a convenient connection. Jumped on next EK metal to SYD, not QF as booked. Lost my upgrade . Ticket was EK coded but status and points accrued as booked.
2. Parents missed a similar connection, and reticketed on next flight that rather than go DXB-BNE, went home DXB-BKK-SYD-BNE. Due to a similar ticketing issue problem, a boarding pass couldn't be issued in SYD for the next leg for several hours. All up delay due to missing connection by 1/2 hour was close to 24hours. The half day in SYD being told by QF it wasn't there problem, being sent to all corners of the terminal was the killer. All booked via QF website on QF coded flights.

The problem is who handles it? EK or QF. From my experience, staff or the computer don't know.

 

[AIRwin]

I'm also booked on QF8074 but with a longer connection to QF8434 to BNE instead of QF8432 via SIN so I'm subscribing to this thread more out of curiosity...

 

[BD1959]

No specific experience re DXB, but what class will you be flying? If J then I would be very wary of a short connection, because if J is already full on the next flight (and it could well be), then I think you would be looking at either a long wait in DXB or a downgrade.

TBH, I don't like very short connections between long haul flights, even if they come off. With a 75 minute turnaround, at best you would be going pretty much straight from one flight to another. I'd much rather an extra hour to stretch my legs, visit the lounge etc. But obviously that's just a personal preference!

My last experience of DXB had EK408 departing from the C-Concourse. TBH I'd rather not use the Lounge if the next departure was also from here ... A world away from the EK J Lounge in the A Concourse - or even the downgraded (compared with A) J Lounge in B.

Regards,

BD

 

[clifford]

TBH I'd rather not use the Lounge if the next departure was also from here ... A world away from the EK J Lounge in the A Concourse - or even the downgraded (compared with A) J Lounge in B.

Regards,

BD

I would always prefer the C lounge, as it was the only one with help-yourself Moet (might have changed by now?). Worth a walk IMHO.

 

[Himeno]

QF doesn't. EK does. If they see a QF ticket, they start trying to call Sydney.

The only misconnect I've ever had was in DXB. About a year into the QF/EK partnership, a few months before the QF9 retime.

I was on a oneworld RTW ticket. Was flying LHR-xDXB-LHR (to max out the sector allowance and gain points. Would have had a day stop in Dubai, but wasn't able to fit it in). BA in to Concourse C, then over to Concourse A for QF1.

The BA aircraft became unserviceable in LHR. Fuel pump issue if I recall. They couldn't fix it in time, so they changed the planned aircraft to one inbound from SFO. Departed LHR 100 mins late. Arrived in Dubai airspace and took another 45 mins ATC delay.
In LHR, BA refused to issue the QF boarding pass (which they could have). None of the transfer counters would do it, not even the one with QF signage just before security in Concourse A. The agent at the QF transfer desk just told me to go through security. I went through without issue and ended up at the EK lounge where I explained what had happened.
The EK agents had some trouble getting into the ticket, apparently related to a change MH had made a few flights before, and by the time they got in, the flight was closed.
I had been thinking they would just rebook me to the QF code on the EK flight leaving 3 hours later, which would then still get me back to LHR in time for my next flight. But...
They tried to call BA in LHR as they were at fault for the misconnect. No answer.
Then they tried calling CX in HKG (CX ticket stock). No answer.
Then they got through to QF in SYD. 24 hour delay, wait for next QF1.

 

[funnymummy]

It wasn't pleasant New Year's Eve and day just gone when I was there. There should be some threads around it.

 

[madrooster]

To keep it simple... if you're going between QF and EK, QF's preference is to keep you on their own metal (or they lose $) even if you have to wait a day. If you're going EK to EK then EK will look after you on their own metal.

It's ironic that these issues mean that QF loses more money by pushing customers towards just doing EK to EK (on QF codes).

 

[Batterytraveller]

A couple of weeks ago my wife had a Kate arriving BHX-DXB sector of trip home to MEL. QF tickets on EK. The last flight to Oz in that block was to BNE and EK had staff to escort everyone flying to Oz to the BNE flight rather than miss the block. So it appears that EK are somewhat proactive about reaccomodating people.

Apparently some people decided to run for the MEL flight and missed both.

 

[BD1959]

An update ....

Flew QF8074 connecting in to QF10 on Friday. Wheels-up on QF8074 was about 60mins late due to a storm just south of CDG which seemed to restrict take-offs. I'd discussed the situation with the EK CSM when she did her meet'n'greet but she was pretty dismissive: "we'll make up the time" etc etc. Fortunately arrived only 20mins late (at one stage they were forecasting 40mins late on ICE but we seemed to have a *very* fast descent) - apologies to the CSM! Unfortunately this was into the B-concourse.

All 11 passengers connecting in to QF10 were corralled and led the back way to the closest security point, processed through and the ushered onto the train and finally to A24 where we were the last to arrive but only took 35mins from gate arrival to gate arrival.

Very well handled by EK. Bags didn't make it but a very prompt page by QF Baggage Services at MEL meant a quick review of delivery instructions and no delay leaving the terminal.

Regards,

BD