Finnair or Qatar J?

[Kceips]

Looking at booking J ticket to AMS from ADL in October. QR approx $6200pp with 1 stop in Doha - get to fly A350 which I have already experienced on DOH-FRA last year (was great). Slightly cheaper option($5800pp) is with Finnair - 2 stops (HKG and HEL) - ADL- HKG is codeshare with Cx and HKG - HEL is A350. Should I pay less and go longer route (time not really an issue) or should I stick with QR all the way which I know is a good product. Obviously more Status Credits with Finnair flights. Look forward to hearing comments about Finnair option.

 

[kermatu]

$400 cheaper, more SCs and more certain consistency of service would lean me toward Finnair. But I've only had a couple of QR experiences.

 

[smit0847]

QR has the worlds best J.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

QR everytime as long as you can avoid 777 and fly 350/787/380

 

[RooFlyer]

Have just flown into ADL on QR's A350 in J and it was great. But I'd still go AY in this case; cheaper, just or almost as good J product (I love it!), and more SCs etc. And HKG is a better stop-over than DOH, by a long stretch.

If leaning towards QR - check to see if the A350 is still going to be on the ADL service when you go - they have announced its going to stop (the A350), but I can't remember when.

Edit: recent story on AY A350 here.

 

[CaptJCool]

Nocookies | The Australian

suggests it's a reduced frequency rather than a change of aircraft ...

 

[etops1]

QR++

Recently flew on the AY A350, seat, food and service all a step below QR's A350. While HKG>DOH, if transiting HEL at 3pm-5pm it really does live up to its name.

$6.2k ex EU to Australia sounds steep. I'd consider waiting for the next QR sale, typically ~$3k from OSL/CPH.

 

[Kceips]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds as if QR is the best option. As Oct is not high season might sit back and wait for next companion or other sale as 2 of us flying.

 

[Kceips]

QR++

Recently flew on the AY A350, seat, food and service all a step below QR's A350. While HKG>DOH, if transiting HEL at 3pm-5pm it really does live up to its name.

$6.2k ex EU to Australia sounds steep. I'd consider waiting for the next QR sale, typically ~$3k from OSL/CPH.

Price is out of ADL - I haven't seen anything that low from ADL.

 

[travelislife]

QR everytime as long as you can avoid 777 and fly 350/787/380

Travelling as a couple I actually loved the 777, the space is awesome.

 

[Kceips]

Travelling as a couple I actually loved the 777, the space is awesome.

Agree. No problem with 777 for us either. We have previously flown 787, A350 and 777 in Qatar J and they are all fully flat seats and very comfy. For single traveller there is not direct aisle access 777 for window seats but not an issue if travelling together.

 

[Danger]

Looking at booking J ticket to AMS from ADL in October. QR approx $6200pp with 1 stop in Doha - get to fly A350 which I have already experienced on DOH-FRA last year (was great). Slightly cheaper option($5800pp) is with Finnair - 2 stops (HKG and HEL) - ADL- HKG is codeshare with Cx and HKG - HEL is A350. Should I pay less and go longer route (time not really an issue) or should I stick with QR all the way which I know is a good product. Obviously more Status Credits with Finnair flights. Look forward to hearing comments about Finnair option.

You may wish to originate in Singapore where a flight to AMS via HEL with AY is running around AUD4k on select dates in October. Originate in Bangkok and you can do it for less than AUD2700.

 

[exceladdict]

Travelling as a couple I actually loved the 777, the space is awesome.

Agree. No problem with 777 for us either. We have previously flown 787, A350 and 777 in Qatar J and they are all fully flat seats and very comfy. For single traveller there is not direct aisle access 777 for window seats but not an issue if travelling together.

+1, especially for couple travellers.

But I would think the HKG lounge crawl, $$$ and extra SCs would be worth doing CX/AY especially on the 350.

 

[Moindardt]

Not sure if the Ramadan special ex CMB is still on. Could do J on QF or MH to CMB and J to AMS. Worked out about 5100 from memory. Sale ended last night or today.

 

[clifford]

Sorry if this is old news.

I've just done my first flights in QR J and IMHO it beats the pants off AY J (not that that's bad). Flew CMB-DOH-FCO, first flight on 346 (seat 1A) and next flight on 788 (seat 2A). The bulkhead seat on the 346 was phenomenal, lie flat and loads of space, even with a seat mate. The individual seat (1-2-1) on the 788 was fine, but a little cramped. However, the service on both flights was unbelievable, couldn't do enough for you, and the J lounge in DOH is something else.

Makes EK look very pedestrian, especially their 2-3-2 layout on the 773's. And while AY is quite efficient, there isn't the same level of service from the FA's, who are quite efficient but a little cold. Just my 2c worth.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

QR everytime as long as you can avoid 777 and fly 350/787/380

As long as alcohol isn't a priority in the QR Lounges in DOH during Ramadan.

QR++

Recently flew on the AY A350, seat, food and service all a step below QR's A350. While HKG>DOH, if transiting HEL at 3pm-5pm it really does live up to its name.

$6.2k ex EU to Australia sounds steep. I'd consider waiting for the next QR sale, typically ~$3k from OSL/CPH.

$3K might be from OSL but pax is flying ex ADL.

Thanks for the replies. Sounds as if QR is the best option. As Oct is not high season might sit back and wait for next companion or other sale as 2 of us flying.

I believe AY has had companion sales for AUD3,850.00 ish pp ex AU eg QF BNE/HKG then AY HKG/xHEL/Europe vv.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Just flew from Doha and didnt even notice or care about no alcohol in lounge. QR on board food and drink is so plentiful and good im never hungry afterwards

 

[Cossie]

Can't comment on Qatar J, (well not until October at least), however AY is very good with the 350 and I have no hesitation, nor any reservations in recommending them.
If however you flew Adelaide to Doha, you would get a much better sleep, as it is a longer flight, rather than flying to somewhere in SE Asia and then going AY.
Obviously if you are interested in status credits then that would be different and perhaps the more segments the better.