QR 755 En Route To ATL

stlgph · Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:03 am

Today Atlanta burns to the ground. Again.

Qatar begins its service to Atlanta today, running a little delayed now set for 4pm arrival.

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/Q...5/history/20160601/0505Z/OTHH/KATL

Am curious to see if it will get the water cannon salute upon landing or if any folk may actually protest. ((hey, you never know...))

If anyone gets pictures, do post.

B747forever · Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:26 am

And just to annoy Delta more the flight is operated by the A380.

lesfalls · Wed Jun 01, 2016 12:49 pm

Anyone know what the load is? I bet there are a lot of avgeeks aboard

Josh32121 · Wed Jun 01, 2016 4:23 pm

Quoting B747forever (Reply 1):
And just to annoy Delta more the flight is operated by the A380.

But they're going to have to deplane using a hardstand because the only A380 capable gates (E1/E3, I believe) are already spoken for:

http://airport.blog.ajc.com/2016/06/...unch-requires-maneuvering-to-gate/

Armodeen · Wed Jun 01, 2016 4:28 pm

Hilariously I have a 'boycott Qatar' banner ad while looking at this thread

B747forever · Wed Jun 01, 2016 4:30 pm

Quoting Josh32121 (Reply 3):
But they're going to have to deplane using a hardstand because the only A380 capable gates (E1/E3, I believe) are already spoken for:

I hope there are no Delta associated workers turning this flight later today

cedarjet · Wed Jun 01, 2016 5:08 pm

Can't understand why DL are so against this. DL virtually invented the hub-and-spoke business model, back in the 60s Atlanta was a small city and DL's DC-8s, CV-880s and 727s were all packed — with transit pax. AA created their DFW hub after one of their execs flew to ATL early one morning and the airport was teeming with passengers. "What are all these people doing here?" They're connecting to other cities. Really?!

So it's a big rich for them to object to another airline leveraging their geographic location to expand their business.

aa777lvr · Wed Jun 01, 2016 6:02 pm

There's thunderstorms in the forecast for their ETA. Wouldn't that put a little egg on the face of 'ol Al Baker if it ended up diverting.

B4REAL · Wed Jun 01, 2016 6:36 pm

They are doing the EK trick, first day A380 then to a B777...

FCAFLYBOY · Wed Jun 01, 2016 7:01 pm

Well A7-APF looks to be about an hour out of ATL. Hope they receive a warm welcome, competition aside.

northwestEWR · Wed Jun 01, 2016 7:43 pm

Quoting Josh32121 (Reply 3):
But they're going to have to deplane using a hardstand because the only A380 capable gates (E1/E3, I believe) are already spoken for:

Absolutely hilarious. They operate the first flight with the A380 to rub DL's face in it and then get denied the only gate by DL. Backfire!

Obvious competition issues aside there are some logistical problems.

First issue: E1/E3 is the only A380 gate in ATL (two gates turned into one) and while it's technically a CUTE gate (all of E is), Delta has priority access and none of the gates on E are equipped with CUTE computers. Delta handles Korean and uses Delta computers to do the flight. It's not technically equipped for non-DL handled flights.

Second is that when an A380 is parked at E1/E3, it closes down E5 to narrowbody only (737 and smaller IIRC). Delta cannot spare 3 widebody gates during the evening push. It already operates at capacity and there's no way in hell they'd give up 3 gates to QR.

Major embarrassment for QR. They will be parking on the Ramp 6 Deice pads and busing to F.

dubaiamman243 · Wed Jun 01, 2016 7:58 pm

QR755 is on final approach

777X · Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:03 pm

I'm so jealous! I really wanted to drive down and see the A380, but instead I'm stuck in a car for 10 hours

11725Flyer · Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:13 pm

Responding to Delta's unhappiness, the mayor of Atlanta had this comment:

“I’m trying to send a message. You’re either in the international game or you’re out,”

http://airport.blog.ajc.com/2016/05/...controversy-rose-to-mayors-office/

Evidently, the mayor isn't very familiar with Delta's international network.

Armodeen · Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:35 pm

Quoting northwestEWR (Reply 10):

It's sort of ridiculous that huge airports like ATL have ONE single A380 gate? Are they stuck in the 90s?

lesfalls · Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:37 pm

Quoting Armodeen (Reply 14):

We'll if an A380 doesn't even fly to ATL (not including this one off) daily or a couple times a week then they don't even need one! Neither would they need 2!

dubaiamman243 · Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:45 pm

dubaiamman243 · Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:48 pm

from twiiter:

@flyingphotog: Source: Delta has an A320 at the only A380 gate on E at @ATLairport, blocking @qatarairways. QR pax using people movers.

winginit · Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:50 pm

Quoting Armodeen (Reply 14):
It's sort of ridiculous that huge airports like ATL have ONE single A380 gate? Are they stuck in the 90s?

Yeah! How backwards of them to not fork over money for something they don't need! Absurd!

Polot · Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:50 pm

Quoting Armodeen (Reply 14):
It's sort of ridiculous that huge airports like ATL have ONE single A380 gate? Are they stuck in the 90s?

This huge airport doesn't even receive daily, year round flights, from ONE A380. How many A380 gates do you think they need?

FCAFLYBOY · Wed Jun 01, 2016 9:17 pm

Quoting winginit (Reply 18):

Quoting Armodeen (Reply 14):
It's sort of ridiculous that huge airports like ATL have ONE single A380 gate? Are they stuck in the 90s?

Yeah! How backwards of them to not fork over money for something they don't need! Absurd!

If ATL Invested in the gates I'm sure they would see interest. That said, still no US A380
Operators so who knows...

Pellegrine · Wed Jun 01, 2016 9:25 pm

I just love that QATAR scheme! Really makes an impression with the huge billboard titles. Great to see them in ATL. The ME3 are like the new Pan Ams.

Polot · Wed Jun 01, 2016 9:28 pm

Quoting FCAFLYBOY (Reply 20):
If ATL Invested in the gates I'm sure they would see interest. That said, still no US A380
Operators so who knows...

Its the other way around- ATL will invest if airlines show interest. The sole A380 gate is just there because of KE. ATL is a huge hub, but it is not really a huge A380 destination. A majority of the operations are domestic, and Atlanta isn't the most "international" city.

Anyways I believe the airport has plans to have another A380 gate when it constructs concourse G (not sure if the gate will be at G or F).

usdcaguy · Wed Jun 01, 2016 9:37 pm

Quoting Pellegrine (Reply 21):

I just love that QATAR scheme! Really makes an impression with the huge billboard titles. Great to see them in ATL. The ME3 are like the new Pan Ams.

Sorry, just don't see the prestige there. Pan Am was never accused of human rights abuses and didn't receive state funding (I'm not talking about EK). I don't think the ME3 any more prestigious than carriers like LY or LH, which are both nice but nothing special.

Quoting FCAFLYBOY (Reply 20):
If ATL Invested in the gates I'm sure they would see interest. That said, still no US A380
Operators so who knows...

It doesn't work that way. We don't have the equivalent of a LHR, AMS or FRA. Our population centers are dispersed across the country, and that creates multiple long, thin routes that best for the 787. Even the 777 can seem like too much in some cases. JFK is the closest we have to a truly international airport, but even then it has very limited potential for connections compared to other airports.

northwestEWR · Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:13 pm

Sounding like there were only 30-40 people on board plus the crew. So much for being full, what a joke.

phlsfo · Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:24 pm

Quoting northwestEWR (Reply 24):

The flight inbound was almost completely full, as well as the return back to DOH. Not sure where you heard that from.

sfuk · Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:27 pm

Quoting northwestEWR (Reply 24):
Sounding like there were only 30-40 people on board plus the crew. So much for being full, what a joke

May I ask where you got this info from?

Not saying it's untrue but if you could provide your source.....?

Thanks
S

northwestEWR · Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:30 pm

Quoting phlsfo (Reply 25):
The flight inbound was almost completely full, as well as the return back to DOH. Not sure where you heard that from.

Two different sources at the airport in ATL and more evidence on Twitter.

If anyone is following @goldboxATL, he's waiting for the outbound and reports only two buses came from the A380 to the terminal to drop people off. Those are not large buses and certainly not 500 people were crammed into two. Third bus was crew. @Qatarairways only shows pictures of the exterior, no interior shot and it looks very sparse. Good pictures from @goldboxATL, I recommend following him for the story.

Pellegrine · Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:40 pm

Quoting usdcaguy (Reply 23):
Sorry, just don't see the prestige there. Pan Am was never accused of human rights abuses and didn't receive state funding (I'm not talking about EK). I don't think the ME3 any more prestigious than carriers like LY or LH, which are both nice but nothing special.

I get you, and I am a huge supporter of human rights. Certain things I want to enjoy (like Dubai) I feel a twang of guilt. Still, workers are screwed over in western countries all the time, we just have laws that provide some redress.

But this is an aviation forum so...

phlsfo · Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:40 pm

Quoting northwestEWR (Reply 27):

I can tell you, from my sources that there are absolutely more than 40 people on the inbound. Maybe your guy on Twitter didn't see other busses but that flight was packed

northwestEWR · Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:41 pm

Quoting phlsfo (Reply 29):
I can tell you, from my sources that there are absolutely more than 40 people on the inbound. Maybe your guy on Twitter didn't see other busses but that flight was packed

And your source is....?

phlsfo · Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:45 pm

Quoting northwestEWR (Reply 30):

Several people currently on the ground at ATL involved in the arrival/departure

Dalmd88 · Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:47 pm

Quoting FCAFLYBOY (Reply 20):

If ATL Invested in the gates I'm sure they would see interest. That said, still no US A380
Operators so who knows...

When the new F International terminal was in the planning stages all the airlines that currently served ATL were asked If they planned on A380 service. All domestic and foreign carriers said no. KE later said they wanted to bring it to ATL so one gate was modified. Besides the gate mods there were taxiway mods to allow the A380 to operate in ATL. I don't think even KE is flying one currently

northwestEWR · Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:59 pm

See http://twitter.com/GoldboxATL/status/738141778155429888 for a live picture of the gate house. Looks to be about 70 people waiting for QR756 back to DOH.

Quoting phlsfo (Reply 31):
Several people currently on the ground at ATL involved in the arrival/departure

Sure.

Quoting Dalmd88 (Reply 32):
When the new F International terminal was in the planning stages all the airlines that currently served ATL were asked If they planned on A380 service. All domestic and foreign carriers said no. KE later said they wanted to bring it to ATL so one gate was modified. Besides the gate mods there were taxiway mods to allow the A380 to operate in ATL. I don't think even KE is flying one currently

KE currently operates the 748 or 77W depending on the day of the week.

phlsfo · Wed Jun 01, 2016 11:19 pm

Quoting northwestEWR (Reply 33):

Believe me or not, I could care less. But the Twitter account you linked, the self proclaimed "Delta Junkie" seems to posting for the sole reason of bashing QR.. I would take it with a big grain of salt.

zkojq · Wed Jun 01, 2016 11:31 pm

Quoting northwestEWR (Reply 27):
If anyone is following @goldboxATL

What an incredibly immature tweeter. He clearly has an axe to grind against Qatar, so I its not as if they can be considered an unbiased source. The comment about the cake is what one would expect from a six year old.

Quoting northwestEWR (Reply 27):
Qatarairways only shows pictures of the exterior, no interior shot and it looks very sparse.

Why would they show interior shots? I'm sure that all relevant media will have been sent cabin photos well in advance of the first service.

[Edited 2016-06-01 16:32:53]

B747forever · Wed Jun 01, 2016 11:36 pm

Quoting northwestEWR (Reply 33):

See http://twitter.com/GoldboxATL/status/738141778155429888 for a live picture of the gate house. Looks to be about 70 people waiting for QR756 back to DOH.

Hmmm, so nowadays A.netters base the load factor not only on seat maps but also on photos from a small part of the gate area 90 minutes before departure

phlsfo · Wed Jun 01, 2016 11:45 pm

Quoting B747forever (Reply 36):

This guy is literally standing around the gate taking pictures trying to make a point that he thinks QR has no one on the flight. Yet each picture has more and more people in it.

andrefranca · Wed Jun 01, 2016 11:48 pm

All I have to say: "Happy hunger games and may the odds be ever on your favor!" LOL

Alnicocunife · Wed Jun 01, 2016 11:48 pm

You will know they are supported by their government if the planes to ATL are not 60% or more LF and they continue that way for over a year. About 300+ people every trip.

Or

They are not supported and they drop ATL after losing money for 9 months. way less than 300 pax per trip

Or

They can make money in ATL and continue to fly there. This seems doubtful as they have no domestic feed and they need to fill 400+ seats and freight out of ATL.

phlsfo · Wed Jun 01, 2016 11:52 pm

Quoting Alnicocunife (Reply 39):

A380 is only for today. Tomorrow it switches to a 77L, which is configured with 42J/217Y. Far less than 400 pax daily

at777 · Thu Jun 02, 2016 12:13 am

What are the chances this goes to an A380 in the future?

If it does change to an A380, is CLT A380 ready?
I ask because ATL has severe storms at times during the summer months and the diversion airport a lot of the times is CLT for some European arrivals. If CLT isn't ready for the A380, what airport would be in this case?

Carfield · Thu Jun 02, 2016 12:18 am

To be honest, inaugural flights are not often the right tool to gauge how successful the route(s) will be.

I was on the JetBlue Daytona Beach inaugural, and both flights were less than 50% full. However, the flight has proven to be successful now. Many of JetBlue and Virgin America's inaugural flights are not that full with revenue passengers, especially in the return legs, so I won't read too much into it.

Plus the A380 is just an one-off operation, so the load factors on the inaugural flights are not really that accurate. Regardless of the load factor, QR will continue this route, so maybe it will be a bust in the end, but Al Baker will hang on to it as long as possible. If the flight eventually moves to A350 or B787, I will be interested in flying it. I prefer the J suites over those regular lie flat seats on 77L .

Congrats to QR and nice to see more competition in Atlanta.

Carfield

JetBlueCLT · Thu Jun 02, 2016 12:33 am

Quoting at777 (Reply 41):

CLT is capable of handling an A380 diversion.

usflyer msp · Thu Jun 02, 2016 1:20 am

Quoting at777 (Reply 41):
What are the chances this goes to an A380 in the future?

If it does change to an A380, is CLT A380 ready?
I ask because ATL has severe storms at times during the summer months and the diversion airport a lot of the times is CLT for some European arrivals. If CLT isn't ready for the A380, what airport would be in this case?

An airport really does not need a special A380 gate. Two-level gates are preferred by the airlines but an A380 can use a normal gate, the upper deck people just have to use the internal stairs to board/disembark. AF flew the A380 to ABJ which has no special gate and it was not an issue...

http://youtu.be/6qchxIF1hEc

usdcaguy · Thu Jun 02, 2016 1:25 am

Obviously, it will take some time before we can tell whether this flight will be successful. My guess is that QR will lose money on the flight from day one, although it's hard to tell how much that will be. A big loser will be LH to FRA, as they have a very extensive network into the Middle East and India. BA won't lose out much, as the LHR hub will always draw traffic for London and beyond. Not clear what the impact will be on DL and friends. My guess is that UA and AA have done just fine in their hubs against the ME4 carriers, so I doubt there will be a huge impact on DL, even with TK in the mix.

ptcflyer · Thu Jun 02, 2016 1:25 am

On board return to Doha. 2 hours late. GROUND crew somewhat chaotic. Not having a gate complicated the operation. Cabin crew are totally wonderful. 13 hours 10 minutes flight time for tonight. Ground staff was supervised with ground staff from other US cities. Houston for one. Used generic business class lounge. Departed through F14 via buses to plane. A lot of stairs. 1 hour 15 minutes to load 500 pax. Coach and bus are full.

Business class seats are very comfortable. Great deal in fares to experience this service. Nice to have great connections from Atlanta to Western Asia. We are off to Kathmandu. Most of passengers are of Indian and Western Asian backgrounds.

ptcflyer · Thu Jun 02, 2016 1:37 am

Fully expect Gate Gourmet to lose all Delta contracts. After all, they catered the cup cakes and sodas for the rather subdued inaugural. Celebration.

usflyer msp · Thu Jun 02, 2016 1:46 am

Quoting usdcaguy (Reply 45):
My guess is that QR will lose money on the flight from day one,

QR loses money on almost every flight from day one. There is a reason why most estimates have them losing over one million dollars each day. I'm not a hater, I am still planning on flying them to Africa next year but their business mission (being an good ambassador for Qatar) is very different from most other carriers (to make a profit)...

ptcflyer · Thu Jun 02, 2016 1:58 am

Doing safety video now. 2 1/2 hours late. Onboard Service is exceptional and attentive beyond US3 standards.

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