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

[blackcat20]

Will seat selection, specifically extra leg room seats be available?

Just worked out that you can use your QF booking ref on the Emirates MMB page to do seat selection. However they don't allow advanced selection of exit rows, must be requested at the airport.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Is it just me, or does it appear that we simply now have another way to source a ticket on EK rather than booking with EK?

If you look at the schedules, none of the QF flights connect particularly well with the EK flight times (4-5 hour connections anyone?), therefore your best options end up EK to EK connections into Europe, albeit a few dollars less on a QF code than an EK code (sometimes), with more restrictive conditions than you would find booking directly with EK?

Considering the shafting people are currently getting in SIN, the questionable reciprocal benefits, unknown quantity with status credits, poor connections, etc. etc. has QF just become the world's biggest travel agent?

I don't particularly want to fly EK, but it appears I don't really have a choice unless I want a single stop flight into EU to take 30 hours... I'll fly QF F to HKG and get on CX to EU, thanks very much.

 

[amaroo]

I don't particularly want to fly EK, but it appears I don't really have a choice unless I want a single stop flight into EU to take 30 hours... I'll fly QF F to HKG and get on CX to EU, thanks very much.

IMO you're in very good company!

We have no worries as long as we don't desire WP1 or QF leave OW.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

IMO you're in very good company!

We have no worries as long as we don't desire WP1 or QF leave OW.

Cheers!

I'm looking forward to trying out the new(ish) CX J seat on CDG-HKG in April on the 77W. Less impressed about herringbone between HKG and FCO on the 343, but what can you do.

 

[amaroo]

Cheers!

I'm looking forward to trying out the new(ish) CX J seat on CDG-HKG in April on the 77W. Less impressed about herringbone between HKG and FCO on the 343, but what can you do.

Don't forget the new Wing FC lounge due to open very soon. Given the state of the J lounge, I'm sure it will win the best FC lounge award pretty well straight after opening!

I'm thinking there will be limited gold colour in the bathrooms - which is another bonus

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Don't forget the new Wing FC lounge due to open very soon. Given the state of the J lounge, I'm sure it will win the best FC lounge award pretty well straight after opening!

I'm thinking there will be limited gold colour in the bathrooms - which is another bonus

It will be my lounge of choice in HKG, regardless of metal my friend

 

[ajw373]

Is it just me, or does it appear that we simply now have another way to source a ticket on EK rather than booking with EK?

If you look at the schedules, none of the QF flights connect particularly well with the EK flight times (4-5 hour connections anyone?), therefore your best options end up EK to EK connections into Europe, albeit a few dollars less on a QF code than an EK code (sometimes), with more restrictive conditions than you would find booking directly with EK?

Considering the shafting people are currently getting in SIN, the questionable reciprocal benefits, unknown quantity with status credits, poor connections, etc. etc. has QF just become the world's biggest travel agent?

I don't particularly want to fly EK, but it appears I don't really have a choice unless I want a single stop flight into EU to take 30 hours... I'll fly QF F to HKG and get on CX to EU, thanks very much.

Isn't 4-5 hours in Dubai better than flying all the way to London then changing terminals and back tracking? Sounds like your biggest issue is they have partnered with Emirates rather than connection time.

 

[BD1959]

I think QF has just nudged their frequent flyers just a little bit further towards their partners (competitors). To my mind it's a further reminder that there are choices out there.

You don't need to backtrack when - even within OW* - you have:

AMS with CX, MH
CDG with CX, MH
FRA with CX, MH, JL
FCO with CX
IST with MH
HEL with AY
DME with JL

With the exception of DME, IST and HEL, I probably would have always have considered using QF via LHR for those destinations, despite my dislike for LHR. Now, I'm not so sure - QF's "noise" about wisdom of backtracking - and their coolness towards BA in general - I think I'd probably look at options and am now more likely to consider other factors, such as price. Without a doubt, I'd certainly be considering a OW partner over EK.

Regards,

BD


*Yes, MH, OW, 1Feb, etc etc

 

[Stoopidsteve]

and of course once QR join OW in 2014 there's

Berlin, Geneva, Paris, Moscow, Warsaw, Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Brussels, Vienna, Istanbul, Milan, Madrid, Zurich, Venice....

Did I hear that QF are in discussions for JV with QR?

 

[cmon0005]

Without a doubt, I'd certainly be considering a OW partner over EK.

Yep me too, when the EK partnership was first announced it seemed like it would be a full blown alliance with all the benefits across both brands (similar to OW benefits and how they are applied across the OW airlines).

Now that it is half implemented (after the interim authorisation) it just seems like a stock-standard codeshare arrangement (but with lounge access for eligible FF'ers), too many T+C's (SC/points only on QF flight number) (points only on EK code).

To me it seems EK just think of QF as a way to fill empty seats, more than anything else.

 

[PineappleSkip]

even within OW* - you have:
AMS with CX, MH
CDG with CX, MH
...

QF's "noise" about wisdom of backtracking - and their coolness towards BA in general

Still waiting for a OW option into KBL even QF on FZ metal I might consider if the price was sensible.

I quite warmed to BA's Y+ sale fares and booked moi and Mrs to CDG, complete with backtracking. Then I saw the QF 'sale' fares - LOL, I still made the right choice!

Cheers skip

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Isn't 4-5 hours in Dubai better than flying all the way to London then changing terminals and back tracking? Sounds like your biggest issue is they have partnered with Emirates rather than connection time.

Yes, pardon me. I thought that if I wanted to fly a non-OW carrier like EK, I could simply buy a ticket with them. Silly me!

You would think, with all that is being invested in this partnership, the least they could do is have the flights connect with their new major partner, but maybe my expectations are far too high.

 

[anat0l]

You would think, with all that is being invested in this partnership, the least they could do is have the flights connect with their new major partner, but maybe my expectations are far too high.

What is a reasonable connection? 2 hrs? 3 hrs? 90 minutes? 30 minutes?

I have no idea what connecting at DXB is like, though I know many people have detested connecting at LHR mainly because even a 90 minute (or even 2 hr) connection was pushing it in many cases, not even counting the possibility of delays. (Personally I was on the fence with LHR, though for the first time / novice traveller I can understand partly the potential to be overwhelmed in a place like LHR).

I'm not saying what we have now is ideal or better, but when people say "have flights connect" I get confused.

 

[ReLoad]

What is a reasonable connection? 2 hrs? 3 hrs? 90 minutes? 30 minutes?

I have no idea what connecting at DXB is like, though I know many people have detested connecting at LHR mainly because even a 90 minute (or even 2 hr) connection was pushing it in many cases, not even counting the possibility of delays. (Personally I was on the fence with LHR, though for the first time / novice traveller I can understand partly the potential to be overwhelmed in a place like LHR).

I'm not saying what we have now is ideal or better, but when people say "have flights connect" I get confused.

How long a connection time is perfect is defined by the standard of lounge you wait in.

Which we really don't have a clue on yet, although I have a feeling if WP don't get the Emirates first lounge there will be a DYKWIA riot.

To answer your question more seriously, anywhere from 1-1.5 hours would be an ideal DXB transit time.

 

[ajw373]

Yes, pardon me. I thought that if I wanted to fly a non-OW carrier like EK, I could simply buy a ticket with them. Silly me!

You would think, with all that is being invested in this partnership, the least they could do is have the flights connect with their new major partner, but maybe my expectations are far too high

Considering the fact that as a Qantas passenger you are getting all the benefits of a OW passenger when flying Emirates I would have thought the fact they are non OW is irrelevant. Also your argument you could book with somone else is also just as valid for OW carriers too.

As for timings, I don't really follow what you want. Emirates have flights that go to place at all hours of the day and night. So how pray tell does Qantas with two flights a day re-time to give better connections? Regardless of the hour they arrive there will always be a wait for someone, and to be honest I don't think 4-5 is unreasonable especially when it saves heading to Heathrow as many do now. Also you need to consider that Qantas's two flights are timed to match their arrival slots at Heathrow so not much room to move without dropping off the DXB-LHR leg and I could well imagine the uproar if they did that.

 

[ajw373]

I'm not saying what we have now is ideal or better, but when people say "have flights connect" I get confused.

Exactly, with the question being WHICH flights, because as mentioned above retime to match one flight you have 'lost' a connection elsewhere.

 

[markis10]

Considering the fact that as a Qantas passenger you are getting all the benefits of a OW passenger when flying Emirates I would have the fact they are non OW is irrelevant. Also your argument you could book with somone else is also just as valid for OW carriers too.

Not correct, your certainly don't get all the benefits of OW flying EK under a QF codeshare, such as access to OW lounges that are not a QP. You also don't get the priority security lane etc

 

[simongr]

Not correct, your certainly don't get all the benefits of OW flying EK under a QF codeshare, such as access to OW lounges that are not a QP. You also don't get the priority security lane etc

Flying on EK what OW lounges do you want access to? I would think that HKG is probably the only place where the OW lounge (CX Wing) is better than EK if you are on EK metal.

Re the priority security lane access - where is that lack of benefit specified?

 

[markis10]

Re the priority security lane access - where is that lack of benefit specified?

Strangely enough on the One World website

oneworld benefits are available only to top tier frequent flyers of the oneworld airlines when travelling on flights that are both operated and marketed by a oneworld member airline. Fast track security lanes are not available at all airports.

To say you get all the benefits of OneWorld flying EK under a QF codeshare when it clearly states that they don't apply unless its a operated and marketed carrier dumbfounds me, clearly the spin doctors have an easy job!

 

[serfty]

...
Re the priority security lane access - where is that lack of benefit specified?

Fresh benefit only announced late last evening in conjunction with MH joining oneworld (along with additional luggage for emerald when traveling oneworld):

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....oin-oneworld-alliance-30578-8.html#post753352