Qantas / Emirates tie up (Partnership inc. Codeshare, Status)

[simongr]

If QF 1/9 maintain their approximate timings, this really sucks as it would be near impossible to get a decent night's rest before arriving into LHR like you currently can do via SIN. The connections onto CDG and FRA are not exactly the most convenient either (it would arrive 2-3 hours later than current morning arrivals by SQ, CX and EY into Europe).

Conversely coming home you can have a great rest on the lengthy flight DXB-SYD/MEL

 

[dajop]

‘Roo Route Threatens to Unseat Qantas, Emirates Alliance - Deal Journal Australia - WSJ

Admittedly I didn't look at any sources for the article (were there any?), but am puzzled by this comment in the article you referenced:

But for them, the biggest sticking point for the deal remains the route between the U.K. and Australia, where the dominance would be most acute between Melbourne and London, and where Qantas and Emirates already enjoy a combined 56.6% of the business-class segment.

Currently, between them, QF & EK they have 2 single stop services from MEL-LHR, and 3 more double stop services (1 via KUL/DXB, 1 via SIN/DXB and 1 via SYD/SIN, excluding the BA service via SYD). Yet a whole stack of other carriers have double daily services (SQ- both A380s', CX, TG, MH) and then more with single daily services (QR, EY, BI,) and throw in others with less frequent, but regular services (CZ, KE, VN, CA). Ignoring the last 4 airlines, it seems odd that with all this competition with 30% of the flights, they have 56% of the market.

 

[Danger]

Qantas high flyers begin the hard sell of Emirates alliance in Singapore
Steve Creedy, The Australian, 13 September 2012, ps. 19 and 20.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce and senior executives are in Singapore meeting aviation and government officials to assure them the airline will remain a player at the Southeast Asian hub.

The visit follows last week's announcement of a sweeping deal with Emirates whereby Qantas's two daily flights to London will go via Dubai rather than Singapore from April, with a third flight to Frankfurt via Singapore axed.

My Joyce flagged a restructure of the airline's Asian network once services to the region were no longer part of the kangaroo route.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/bus...nce-in-singapore/story-e6frg95x-1226472974948


​

 

[letsgo]

Not that I use QF internationally any more, but this marriage between the two airlines raises alerts.

I flew Emirates all the way MEL - DUB & back recently; while the modern planes and in-flight service were great, I was not impressed by Emirates information, services or its home airport DXB. DXB large & modern like SIN, but directions not so clear and info. desks scarce; I could not find a lounge to rest over & shower during a 6hr stopover on the way back and had to use a rip-off hotel within the airport, though I'm happy to concede I might have done a bit more research on-line when booking. However I'm comparing with similar , more favourable, experiences in KUL & SIN.
Also Emirates airport services a bit chaotic - had to get a boarding pass printed during short change-over at SIN on the way back (DXB - MEL via SIN) - they wouldn't print the pass in DXB where I had plenty of time, and presumably where their head office is!

The 'marriage' may give you more of the 'Emirates experience' and DXB than you really want. Personally I'm going to avoid DXB in the future, however if you are going to transit there, I suggest:
- get all boarding passes printed at the start of the flight if possible
- research airport lounges when you book, if you want a shower or a kip - I think there's good discussions elsewhere in here about DXB facilities.

Other info: I earned 9000 points each way on Emirates between MEL <-> DUB. Hopefully I can soon redeem this paltry amount on an internal QF flight.

 

[timster]

Haven't seen this posted, but here is the QF/EK submission to the ACCC:

Qantas Airways Limited & Emirates - Authorisations - A91332 & A91333

A rather bleak picture of an international airline in decline - few destinations compared to their competitors, disadvantages galore compared to 'mid-point' carriers who are mostly gov subsidized, per-employee labour costs double that of most regional competitors', etc, etc.

 

[browski]

Not that I use QF internationally any more, but this marriage between the two airlines raises alerts.

I flew Emirates all the way MEL - DUB & back recently; while the modern planes and in-flight service were great, I was not impressed by Emirates information, services or its home airport DXB. DXB large & modern like SIN, but directions not so clear and info. desks scarce; I could not find a lounge to rest over & shower during a 6hr stopover on the way back and had to use a rip-off hotel within the airport, though I'm happy to concede I might have done a bit more research on-line when booking. However I'm comparing with similar , more favourable, experiences in KUL & SIN.
Also Emirates airport services a bit chaotic - had to get a boarding pass printed during short change-over at SIN on the way back (DXB - MEL via SIN) - they wouldn't print the pass in DXB where I had plenty of time, and presumably where their head office is!

The 'marriage' may give you more of the 'Emirates experience' and DXB than you really want. Personally I'm going to avoid DXB in the future, however if you are going to transit there, I suggest:
- get all boarding passes printed at the start of the flight if possible
- research airport lounges when you book, if you want a shower or a kip - I think there's good discussions elsewhere in here about DXB facilities.

Other info: I earned 9000 points each way on Emirates between MEL <-> DUB. Hopefully I can soon redeem this paltry amount on an internal QF flight.

To find the various airline lounges at DXB, you have to follow the many signs stating "Airline Lounges". Alternatively you can ask one of the many information desks spaces in equi-distant 50 metre intervals smack-bang in the middle of the hallways.

Every EK one-stop flight from DXB to Oz (and in reverse) gives you both boarding passes at check-in............every single time.

..........and here's a little known tip for the young player. In T3, if you are without lounge access but would like a nice, long shower......take the central lifts to Level 5 and walk left down the hallway. Level 3 is the EK business lounge. On level 5 there is a paid gym and shower service. The shower service is about AUD $12. On the same floor there are a couple of spas and plunge pools, but I've rarely seen them open. A better shower you will not find.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Qantas high flyers begin the hard sell of Emirates alliance in Singapore
Steve Creedy, The Australian, 13 September 2012, ps. 19 and 20.
[snip]

I think the Singapore aviation and government officials are sitting there, trying to work out in their heads how many more SQ flights they can add to go to AU destinations.

 

[travelhands]

I think its a great opportunity for us, the consumer! Now I can get to continental Europe in one swoop in less time rather than tracking through boring Singapore (I am so over that place) and transitting via London or Frankfurt. BCN, ATH, FCO, BER here I come! and I would love to check out Dubai (change is good) and can reach any of my European cities with a direct flight. Emirates are highly regarded and A380 all the way...yeah!
If QF are not making money internationally, then this will hopefully repair it....

 

[travelhands]

come on..loosen up a little letsgo...you cant expect the same standard everywhere in the world. Use some initiative and research, plan before you go and ask when you are there. Once they get used to the aussies coming through QF will make some changes no doubt, including the lounges.....checkin online and then you wont have boarding pass issues, we are in the technology age now...

 

[Pushka]

I am mostly looking forward to this JV. Firstly, people living in Adelaide get no consideration from Qantas International, and on all but a couple of flights a week, we have to add an extra three or four hours transiting Melbourne or Sydney. And it really sucks on the flight plan when departing those cities to sometimes see how close to Adelaide they fly back over. So Dubai - Adl direct - daily - is superb. Then, in Dubai, the rest of Europe opens up for you - no more generally having to route through Heathrow - there is a limit to the times when you can content yourself with seeing London. I've booked some amazing business class flights for Sin-Dub-Istanbul-Venice-Sin on Emirates, for thousands less than what I paid for PE this year, just to London and return from Adelaide with Qantas. We were going to Dubai before this announcement so it was a choice for us.

I can see why people feel they are being forced to route through Dubai but haven't we always been forced to route through Singapore?

In Dubai, perhaps there are some cultural concerns, but as far as general safety goes, women will be much safer there than in Australia. If the laws about prescription drugs etc were as horrendous as some have stated, then we would have heard much more about people being arrested. But we don't. So I can't help but think those people who have been arrested were brought to the attention of the authorities for other reasons - poor behavior, bad attitude, large quantities etc.

We will be there the first day of Ramadan and I understand no public drinking (of anything) or eating. A little tough when the temps are around 40+. As when we visited India, I plan on wearing pashminas the instant I get off the plane.

I do think though that people doing a stopover in Dubai do need to be made aware of sensitivities, and given Qantas desire to force people through Dubai, they will need to be a part of this education. Or there will be tears. And very bad PR.

 

[anat0l]

I do think though that people doing a stopover in Dubai do need to be made aware of sensitivities, and given Qantas desire to force people through Dubai, they will need to be a part of this education. Or there will be tears. And very bad PR.

I find this point rather interesting.

I do see where you're coming from, and I agree to a degree. But on the other hand I feel this will be an unfathomable task, and an unfair (perhaps forced) responsibility to be given to Qantas.

Do VA offer such advice for their travellers? This is even more critical because VA don't carry pax beyond AUH - they simply stop there. And AUH is a more conservative Emirate compared to DXB. (Not that many people will stop over in AUH compared to DXB).

 

[cmon0005]

Do VA offer such advice for their travellers? This is even more critical because VA don't carry pax beyond AUH - they simply stop there. And AUH is a more conservative Emirate compared to DXB. (Not that many people will stop over in AUH compared to DXB).

I don't see DXB as a problem, have been there before and found it to be a great place to visit, yes there are a few things that are more strict but overall alot of it is common sense, as with any country there are different laws (even US has different laws to us eg. 21 years legal drinking age).etc. So its no excuse for people not checking on laws/travel advice before they leave.

My advice to people is just don't be stupid, don't drink excessive amounts of alcohol especially out in public, don't walk around in a bali bintang bitter singlet (I shudder when I see people wearing these even here, no offence to anyone on here if you do, I just don't like them), where normal respectable clothes, again western women can still wear skirts and tshirts etc. in most places, just don't be silly ie don't wear a mini-skirt.

So I guess what I am saying is people should look up Smart Traveller and ask their Travel agent about different laws for ANY country they're travelling to before.

 

[tm.smile]

Why is it that we Australians find it so acceptable to bash Qantas and place this unreasonable burden on the airline?

I really don't think its their responsibility for them to educate the travelling public about the laws and customs of a country that they have chosen to visit. Its not like they are marketing it as a party town where you can go and drink excessive amounts of alcohol and parade in a state of indecent exposure. As far as I'm aware, Emirates isn't part of educating their passengers who visit Dubai, and as anat0l said, neither does Etihad or VA.

The general public really needs to stop expecting that everything will be done for them and act like the capable educated adults they are. There's a great all knowing being in this world called 'google'.


Thus endeth my sermon.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Why is it that we Australians find it so acceptable to bash Qantas and place this unreasonable burden on the airline?

I really don't think its their responsibility for them to educate the travelling public about the laws and customs of a country that they have chosen to visit. Its not like they are marketing it as a party town where you can go and drink excessive amounts of alcohol and parade in a state of indecent exposure. As far as I'm aware, Emirates isn't part of educating their passengers who visit Dubai, and as anat0l said, neither does Etihad or VA.

The general public really needs to stop expecting that everything will be done for them and act like the capable educated adults they are. There's a great all knowing being in this world called 'google'.


Thus endeth my sermon.

Like the customs video when flying into Australia, telling people what they can/can't bring in??? How many people do you see on that show 'Boarder Patrol' getting busted for meat/fruit/wood???

A 5 minute video onboard, before arrival into the UAE wouldn't hurt, would it?

 

[tm.smile]

Like the customs video when flying into Australia, telling people what they can/can't bring in??? How many people do you see on that show 'Boarder Patrol' getting busted for meat/fruit/wood???

A 5 minute video onboard, before arrival into the UAE wouldn't hurt, would it?

Is that not up to the UAE authorities to produce it and ensure that is done on every flight? Why is the onus on Qantas to do it?

What I'm sensing from this thread is this sudden phobia of travelling to the middle east. Completely unfounded.

 

[Limewood]

Does anyone have any idea when schedules might appear?.

 

[moa999]

Probably some point after it gets ACCC approval and I daresay a few months out from the kickoff date.

 

[ajw373]

Like the customs video when flying into Australia, telling people what they can/can't bring in??? How many people do you see on that show 'Boarder Patrol' getting busted for meat/fruit/wood???

A 5 minute video onboard, before arrival into the UAE wouldn't hurt, would it?

Qantas has arrival videos for most if not all the cities they fly into, so don't see why DXB wouldn't get one also.

 

[Pushka]

Is that not up to the UAE authorities to produce it and ensure that is done on every flight? Why is the onus on Qantas to do it?

What I'm sensing from this thread is this sudden phobia of travelling to the middle east. Completely unfounded.

Im getting a little tired of people jumping to the phobia reason when pertinent points about the realities of travelling to the middle east and in particular, Dubai, are raised. The fact is that Qantas is now requiring people to travel even if only in transit to a country that does require strict adherence to rules that most of us would not even think of.

How many people for instance know that it is forbidden for anyone to consume just water, in public, or eat say an apple, in public, during daylight hours during Ramadan? Even if it is 40 degrees. None of us would think twice of carrying a water bottle and sipping on it here in Australia, anywhere, but you cannot do this legally in Dubai etc.

So now, before I get flamed once again, incorrectly and being called ignorant or whatever because people can't actually be bothered to read everything I've posted, I am not racist or a cultural heathen. I want to go to Dubai. But I can see traps for the unwary. And given that Q is now using Dubai instead of Singapore then I think part of the onus to educate is on them. Especially during Ramadan because the requirements are so different to what non Muslim Australians know.

I don't care who provides the information (UAE or Qantas) but it does need to be done.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Im getting a little tired of people jumping to the phobia reason when pertinent points about the realities of travelling to the middle east and in particular, Dubai, are raised. The fact is that Qantas is now requiring people to travel even if only in transit to a country that does require strict adherence to rules that most of us would not even think of.

How many people for instance know that it is forbidden for anyone to consume just water, in public, or eat say an apple, in public, during daylight hours during Ramadan? Even if it is 40 degrees. None of us would think twice of carrying a water bottle and sipping on it here in Australia, anywhere, but you cannot do this legally in Dubai etc.

So now, before I get flamed once again, incorrectly and being called ignorant or whatever because people can't actually be bothered to read everything I've posted, I am not racist or a cultural heathen. I want to go to Dubai. But I can see traps for the unwary. And given that Q is now using Dubai instead of Singapore then I think part of the onus to educate is on them. Especially during Ramadan because the requirements are so different to what non Muslim Australians know.

I don't care who provides the information (UAE or Qantas) but it does need to be done.

Firstly, Qantas is not requiring people to do anything. People are free to choose which ever carrier they wish to travel to Europe.

And yes whilst true what you say about Ramadan, the tourist hotels will cater for people during the day in terms of food and drink. As others have said, just be aware of the places you are going, I mean you can be thrown in prison in Thailand if you are heard publicly bad mouthing the King.... at any time of year... every country has it's own rules and regulations and as an international traveler it is your responsibility to know what they are.