Qatar axes Perth A380 flights
The start of Virgin Australia’s flights to Doha will see the Qatar Airways superjumbo sidelined.
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Perth is set for twice-daily flights to Doha and beyond, across Europe and the UK, but it’ll come at a cost: Qatar Airways is dropping the crowd-pleasing A380 superjumbo from the 12-hour route.
The double-decker jet has been a fixture in the Perth-Doha skies since late 2022 (and before then, from 2018 until the pandemic took hold in early 2020).
While lacking the Gulf carrier’s flagship business class Qsuites, the A380 still sports spacious and well-appointed flatbed business class seats and the popular upper deck lounge.
Rounding out the premium passenger experience are eight open-style first class suites.
But that’s all changing on June 25, when Virgin Australia begins its own Perth-Doha flights – albeit on Boeing 777 jets supplied by Qatar Airways, which will also provide the crew and catering.
This will give Perth two flights per day to Doha – Qatar Airways’ QR901, and Virgin Australia’s VA21 – and the surge in seat capacity means the A380 is now too large for the WA capital.
From June 25, the same day that Virgin Australia launches its Boeing 777 Perth-Doha service, Qatar Airways will switch its aircraft from the Airbus A380 to a Boeing 777.
And while Virgin’s leased 777 comes with those highly-praised private Qsuites, Qatar Airways’ website indicates its own 777 will sport a much older 2-2-2 business class configuration – although the online ExpertFlyer service shows the flight to still have Qsuites. Qatar Airways has been approached for clarification and comment.
Qsuites or not, here’s how the Perth-Doha schedule will look:
- Virgin Australia VA21 departs Perth at 3.20pm, arriving in Doha at 9.50pm the same day
- Qatar Airways QR901 leaves Perth at 10.45pm to reach Doha the next day at 5.10am
The return legs touch down in Perth at 11.55am (VA22) and 6.40pm (QR900), so travellers can choose to be home for lunch or dinner.
Qatar Airways is now flying eight of its original ten Airbus A380s, with the superjumbos continuing to visit Sydney, London, Paris, and Bangkok.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Oct 2016
Total posts 129
QR's A380 business class is still one of the best, and better than Qsuites. Open and spacious and much more comfortable seat in the lie flat position.
QFF
19 Sep 2013
Total posts 213
Darn. Have always looked at Qatar first out of Perth, but these days far more expensive than Emirates. So it’s back to Emirates 380 then - certainly don’t want to travel in the old Qatar 777 seats.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 Mar 2015
Total posts 15
Flew Qatar SIN LHR last week and qsuites swapped out on 3 of the four sectors due to “operational” reasons. This happens all too often with QR. Bait and switch. They sell qsuites exclusively on every flight from Singapore but I have experienced a “last minute” aircraft change all too often. And there does seem to be a price difference if connecting in Doha on a non qsuite flight to London. It’s seems to be cheaper. Alas No refund from qr for the downgrade….
16 Dec 2016
Total posts 59
My last 3 QR J class flights have been appalling. Little to no interest from the crew, an eye roll when I asked for a second glass of wine and the most poorly managed disruption in my 30+ years of flying. On top of this, the way that Qatar has been granted all of these additional slots in Australia under 'Virgin Australia' flight numbers just makes a mockery of our open skies policy. How quickly has everyone forgotten that VA bankrupted itself and didn't pay Australian creditors, then it sets up again with free passes everywhere. Don't get me wrong, it is important to have domestic competition but I don't think having Qatari influencing Australian aviation to this extent is good for Australian competition or security.
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