Is QF ever likely to fly into Dubai again?

[Quickstatus]

And SIN is not a hub. All of Asia is point to point for QF.

SIN is just like PER for QF for the Kangaroo route - just a stopover.

From QF's POV it is more lucrative to sell SC eligible codeshare flights at a higher fare bucket to pax than on their own flights.

It's a point of differentiation. Want SC? - it's available at a higher price than the operating airline - ie the airline wants some extra moolah for the privilege.

BFOD is an excellent alternative if people would stop chasing SC.

 

[dajop]

And SIN is not a hub. All of Asia is point to point for QF.

It’s definitely a mini-hub for QF. There’s a reason, except for QF1, that flights from 4 Australian cities arrive at 5-6pm (and not 9-10pm like QF1) and that’s to carry passengers connecting to several Jetstar Asia destinations. And in addition there are several QF codeshares, such as those on KL, AF and AY.

 

[justinbrett]

From QF's POV it is more lucrative to sell SC eligible codeshare flights at a higher fare bucket to pax than on their own flights.

I don't think that's true at all. Where's your evidence for that?

The deals QF did with Air France and KLM I think show that QF wants to retain at least some of the journey on its own metal for pax flying to Europe and don't want to connect in LHR.

It doesn't seem to be pushing its EK codeshares much these days. They're there if you go looking for them, but I never see them advertised.

 

[RichardMEL]

And SIN is not a hub. All of Asia is point to point for QF.

SIN-PER/BNE/SYD/MEL on QF metal. Timed to connect to/from QF1/2. it's a mini hub. QF can offer LHR-xSIN-BNE for example as a faster alternative than LHR-xPER-BNE for example.

SIN is just like PER for QF for the Kangaroo route - just a stopover.

Yes, but it's not just the kangaroo route. Consider connections on 3K ex-SIN to all kinds of asian cities. Again, mini hub.

From QF's POV it is more lucrative to sell SC eligible codeshare flights at a higher fare bucket to pax than on their own flights.

It's a point of differentiation. Want SC? - it's available at a higher price than the operating airline - ie the airline wants some extra moolah for the privilege.

BFOD is an excellent alternative if people would stop chasing SC.

Other threads have demonstrated that the QF code premium appears to be not as strong as it was - if at all - on some codeshare routes with EK. I agree it used to be a real thing, but it doesn't seem quite so simple these days.

Also pricing and revenue management probably give scant thought to SC's tbh (that's QF Loyalty). if it's a factor I doubt it is a major one.

 

[RSD]

As for the EK product. F on the 380? Winds hands down for all the obvious reasons. J? it's good but it doesn't blow me away. yes, the bar is good fun and a point of difference, and the soft product is a lil better than QF (I'd rate ICE over the QF entertainment system, the F&B - specially Bev side is better... but the seats are boxy for mine and no pj's.. so it's a much more even comparision I guess). Y.. yeah the 3-4-3 in those 777's... no thank you. I'd prefer 3-3-3 on the QF 787's tbh.

Haven't flown the 777's as EK MEL-DXB-CAI is all A380 thankfully, have flown Y on a QF 787 once and never ever again - the most uncomfortable seat I've ever had - was miserable all the way from MEL-LAX.

 

[Beano]

I'm doing WLG-MEL-DXB-MAD and then GLA-DXB-MEL-WLG in April/June. (All in Y) I have no real choice as avoiding LHR like the plague. Mixture of 380 and 777. Pity they don't have brandy. I will have to make do with the Cognac! Looking forward to time in EK F lounge in DXB.

 

[Melburnian1]

Cheers - just took a look and it does look like it is a lot more user friendly than anything else I have seen!

It was better (clearer diplays, and a bigger font) before the 'old' software ran out and the replacement version arrived.

But yes, it's an essential tool if you want to obtain the best value fares. Occasionally it doesn't feature airline sale prices, but I don;t know if that's merely a timing issue.

 

[salimedwardo]

I don't see UAE as being a destination, more a good fiziksel sunucu hub to feed into like QF do with flying into AA's hubs. Fly into Dubai and the passengers can then connect onto EK flights to wherever they want to go to - Africa or Europe. Way more convenient than QF to London then getting another flight down to say somewhere in Morocco etc.

i agree Morocco better now

 

[jakeseven7]

I suspect they’re happy with the QF/BA codeshares (plus CX via HKG etc).

But with the current sky high fares, I wouldn’t be surprised if at least one of the Euro carriers didn’t try to cash in while they can. Albeit short lived once China gets back online.

They don’t have the crew or planes, same boat as everyone else. Oh and slots.

 

[Beano]

i agree Morocco better now

That's exactly what I think. Give LHR a miss unless you are stopping there.

 

[pangwen]

They don’t have the crew or planes, same boat as everyone else. Oh and slots.

Agreed slots is an issue, but I thought Finnair had a surplus of planes that they needed to deploy? Maybe they’ve already used the extras up.

Eg the following article (and others) suggested that AY were wet leasing their planes to Eurowings and had launched a new partnership with QR due to AY cancelling some of their long haul routes and needing to find alternate uses for their planes.

Finnair turns to Qatar amid network realignment - The Points Guy

Finnair is struggling with recent challenges. This is what it is doing to realign.

thepointsguy.com

 

[Beano]

I don't see UAE as being a destination, more a good hub to feed into like QF do with flying into AA's hubs. Fly into Dubai and the passengers can then connect onto EK flights to wherever they want to go to - Africa or Europe. Way more convenient than QF to London then getting another flight down to say somewhere in Morocco etc.

UAE is a destination for many people, but perhaps not from down-under.

 

[jase05]

UAE is a destination for many people, but perhaps not from down-under.

It’s an absolutely fantastic destination. We love it but each to their own

 

[Beano]

It’s an absolutely fantastic destination. We love it but each to their own

It’s an absolutely fantastic destination. We love it but each to their own

right-on jase05

 

[justinbrett]

It’s an absolutely fantastic destination. We love it but each to their own

The problem is what most tourists see and experience in Dubai (and to a lesser extent, Abu Dhabi) is not an authentic cultural experience.

 

[jase05]

The problem is what most tourists see and experience in Dubai (and to a lesser extent, Abu Dhabi) is not an authentic cultural experience.

So true.
One of the easiest places to drive with absolutely first class roads and highways everywhere.
We have now done a couple of decent loops of the UAE by car and still manage to find some gems. Even just driving half hour from Abu Dhabi or Dubai and it feels like you are in another world. We still like to start and finish in either though and spend a few days especially Dubai

 

[justinbrett]

So true.
One of the easiest places to drive with absolutely first class roads and highways everywhere.
We have now done a couple of decent loops of the UAE by car and still manage to find some gems. Even just driving half hour from Abu Dhabi or Dubai and it feels like you are in another world. We still like to start and finish in either though and spend a few days especially Dubai

Just don't speed - never seen so many speed cameras as the route between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

I like the UAE - I lived there for a short period (was a carded-up resident, even still hold a UAE drivers licence). But for what most tourists go to see, you can find better elsewhere, certainly places you can be yourself without fear of getting into trouble with the law. And it's really expensive.

I don't really know why the average tourist would go to the UAE for a holiday unless it's part of a wider trip, if they don't place to leave the big cities and seek out the real UAE.

Most tourists will spend most of their time in Dubai Mall and Atlantis. Go to the Bahamas if you want that. Bonus that you don't get arrested for being drunk in the taxi on the way home.

I'm going back for a few days in September, certainly enough places that I enjoy that I want to return, but it's not for everyone.

 

[SYD]

Oh and slots.

I’m sure if an airline asked to fly to BNE, ADL or PER (probably even MEL), the states would bend over backwards to throw slots at them.

 

[jase05]

Just don't speed - never seen so many speed cameras as the route between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

I like the UAE - I lived there for a short period (was a carded-up resident, even still hold a UAE drivers licence). But for what most tourists go to see, you can find better elsewhere, certainly places you can be yourself without fear of getting into trouble with the law. And it's really expensive.

I don't really know why the average tourist would go to the UAE for a holiday unless it's part of a wider trip, if they don't place to leave the big cities and seek out the real UAE.

Most tourists will spend most of their time in Dubai Mall and Atlantis. Go to the Bahamas if you want that. Bonus that you don't get arrested for being drunk in the taxi on the way home.

I'm going back for a few days in September, certainly enough places that I enjoy that I want to return, but it's not for everyone.

I’m a bit of a lead foot so had to contain myself but I did enjoy the 140km/hr speed limit on the Al Ain road and the drive up to Jabal Hafit was amazing. There are some truly amazing and scenic drives in the UAE but I’ve never seen so many quarry trucks as what I saw coming from Kalba back to Al Badiyah and RAK.

 

[dajop]

I don't really know why the average tourist would go to the UAE for a holiday unless it's part of a wider trip, if they don't place to leave the big cities and seek out the real UAE.

We’ve been a couple of times for a 4 day trip just to Dubai on its own - originating from Singapore though. Perfect spot for a getaway during the 4 day Chinese New Year holiday - temperatures are perfect at this time of year. And despite being further, for that particular 4 day holiday weekend, cheaper than going to any “nearby” destinations such as Bali, Bangkok, coughet etc. And I prefer Dubai beaches ( at least during Feb) to Bali or coughet beaches. Not as much trash.