Qatar Airways brings Airbus A350 to Adelaide

Shouldn't that be goodbye EK? They compete directly with QR on the same route. Besides, when SQ introduces their A350s to Aus (over the coming years) will that change? Curious.

Cheers

"They compete directly with QR on the same route."

Not true unless U believe ADL->DXB->wherever vs ADL->DOH->wherever are the same route.  On the other hand, I can understand QR and EK compete on SIMILAR routes in SIMILAR mkts.  Similar but not "the same".  Why?

a) I didn't bother to look up the traffic statistics but it's common knowledge that historically, much much more OD traffic occur between AU and Dubai than AU and Doha.  In effect, many more folks fm AU visit /work in Dubai than Doha making it easier for EK to support hi-frequency than QR can.

b) If U connect @ DOH, your nex QR flight may be on a 320 family even if flying to EU.  Conversely, if U connect @ DXB, your nex EK flight is always a widebody.  In effect, there's a chance of experiencing narrowbody cabin std if flying with QR but never with EK.

"Besides, when SQ introduces their A350s to Aus...will that change?"

Good question.  It may or it may not but the longhaul J designs already in service on 359 @ both QR and SQ(ausbt.com.au already gave a few thorough reviews mths ago) probably provides a clue.....they are similar in many design aspects/stds.  1 thing for sure though:  SQ will NOT enjoy 1st mover advantage(Per Product Marketing 101) re 350 intro @ least in the ADL mkt.

I wasn't specific. Just generalising. Basically in the direction of the Middle East and Europe.

As you said it will all depend on aircraft, timings and destinations, etc.

Cheers

even if the connecting flight is a 320 most of them got fully flat bed and many routes they use 787 beside for a 5-6 hours flight there is hardly any need for a bed.

"if the connecting flight is a 320 most of them got fully flat bed.."

Very true if we are talking about J cabin.  But if talking about J on a QR 320 family, it also means exclusive boarding access for premium pax will be impossible which usually translates into a) pre-departure drink service interuptions and a few bumps & thumps to J seat by overzealous Y pax carrying lots of cabin bags accessing that single aisle......it's a scenario that will almost never happen to a premium pax departing on a widebody(Just 1 of a few little perks offered by widebody cabin std some premium pax usually take for granted /forgot they exist) fm a Gulf mega hub.

well if you sit in the bigger business cabin on emirates the same applies on the 777 as economy passengers come through the cabin all the time.

"Can't wait to fly this new route in a couple of weeks, particularly to see how the 350 stacks up against the dreamliner."

In what class and against the 787 cabin of which carrier(e.g. QR's Y on 359 vs JQ's Y on 788 will be more a comparison of airline's cabin choices than purely stacking up 1 machine against another)?

If in J, practically no diff between 788 and 359 in QR fleet.  QR deploys the same seat design+layout on both types.  If U bring a measuring tape or precision laser measuring unit, U may detect aisle width /gap fm seat to window on 359 being 1-2inches wider than on 788.

If in Y(Not sure if a discussion of this is even allowed here because this website seems to focus on J travel), U can expect a tiny diff(If U can feel any at all) due to the max cabin width of a 350 is only 5inches wider than a 787.

What? This is a perfect comparison if we're talking about JUST Qatar and the same class here - that's the whole point.

If the cabin is quieter.... etc etc.

CX and MH use the QF lounge, so I would expect the same

That's a lousy arrangement for OW flyers. I hope they inform the relevant passengers at check in that the lounge is before immigration. Otherwise you're going to get a fair number of grumpy people in the holding pen.

Qatar Airways will use the Qantas lounge, which is after the first security checkpoint but before passport control and which is also used by Emirates in addition to Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines.

Passport control! Of course - that is a much better word! 

The distance from the QPub to international security and then passport control is a couple of minutes walk, the queues inside security move quickly compared to some other airports. The service inside the QPub at that time of night is pretty good, with wait staff offering to gets drinks and bring food selections to patrons. 

AirNZ also use the QPub for their Koru Club and higher tier pax.

"cabin and seating are noticeably more spacious..."

In what class and compared against the cabin of which other type(s)?  E.g. if in J class, no diff in seat design+specs+layout  across 788 and 359 in QR fleet.

"...this will really challenge EK's daily ADL service on the 777."

In terms of current J product std, there is no competition between EK's 777 vs QR's 359/788.......QR is 1 full gen ahead of EK in this regard.

This was in economy. There is a massive diffference in space between the A350 and 787, both have 9 abreast seating in Y Class, but the seats and cabin of the A350 are both wider.

"...massive difference in space between the A350 and 787.."

"massive"?  Really?  How so?  Your statement is technically only correct when we are comparing a 788 against say, a 359(Both in QR fleet).  But then that would be an apple vs orange comparison like saying a 77W is more spacious than a 359.

"both have 9 abreast seating in Y Class, but the seat and cabin of the A350 are both wider."

Technically correct but I'm extremely surprised U actually detected that diff unless U brought a measuring tape or precision laser measuring equipement along onboard for your comparison.  As I hv repeated many times on this website, diff in max cabin width 350 vs 787 is only 5inches(Check their tech  specs if U don't believe it).  Assuming equal aisle width, it's technically impossible for a Y seat on any 350 to be more than 0.56inch wider than one on any 787.  That's about a hair or 2 wider than the width of a common USB socket and yet U can still experience such diff as "massive"?

For the record, I regard both the 787 and 350 as EQUALLY  amazing machines.  But it's even more amazing that so many folks on this website still relentlessly subscribe to the myth /urban legend peddled by Airbus PR team+350 enthusiasts /787 haters about how Y on 350 is noticeably more spacious than on 787.  I guess for some, physical facts are inconvenient and it's easier to just trust whatever Airbus PR team told them so that it will eventually become the truth if enough folks believe it....

To top it off, the Qatar on-board service was impeccable.

I wonder if you guessed why it was so? Their boss was on the flight (CEO Akbar Al Baker).

Cheers

To be fair, i also flew on a QR flight on my way over to Doha, the service on both flights was consistently excellent.

Good to hear it was consistent. That's what we all want from any 5-star carrier.

Cheers