Qatar Airlines entering Atlanta to Doha with a big splash - Sending the one time big baby Airbus 380 (Columbus: pricing, buses)

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Or maybe: Shouldn't this airline have ensured there was a gate available beforehand?

It's not like this was a surprise sprung on Qatar when they landed.

It may not have been possible.

Every airport is different. I don't know how ATL allocates gates (or which authority controls gate assignments), but it's quite possible that the flight in question had a gate assigned in ATL at wheels up which was changed while the a/c was in flight. Gate changes happen all the time.

[rcsteiner]

Some of the comments attached to this article are interesting, as is the article itself. IMO.

Qatar Airways' Inaugural Flight To Atlanta Gets Gate-Blocked By Delta - One Mile at a Time

And there's more:

Get Your Popcorn: The Qatar Airways & Atlanta Airport Drama Continues! - One Mile at a Time

In a nutshell, it seems that QR decided to use an A380 for the inaugural flight without regard for the ATL airport's required 60-day notice window, and QR also blew off ATL's suggestions for adjusted times when the required gate could be made available with minimal service disruption. Not really DL's fault?

The blog includes copies of formal correspondence sent to QR by the airport.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

It may not have been possible.

Every airport is different. I don't know how ATL allocates gates (or which authority controls gate assignments), but it's quite possible that the flight in question had a gate assigned in ATL at wheels up which was changed while the a/c was in flight. Gate changes happen all the time.

No, the link I provided about said the airport authority told Qatar they would only be able to accommodate a A380 at a gate for arrivals before 10am or after 8pm on that day. Qatar chose to keep their scheduled 4pm arrival.

The A380 is a different beast for gating and Qatar knows that. Most airports it flies to it takes up multiple gates and require special scheduling. That is the case in ATL too, A380s take up three gates here when they arrive so they cannot be shifted around and changed like other flights. Hence the 60 day scheduling requirement. And I am sure ATL is not the only airport with that sort of notice required. In fact I bet that is on the more lenient side.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by jsvh

No, the link I provided about said the airport authority told Qatar they would only be able to accommodate a A380 at a gate for arrivals before 10am or after 8pm on that day. Qatar chose to keep their scheduled 4pm arrival.

The A380 is a different beast for gating and Qatar knows that. Most airports it flies to it takes up multiple gates and require special scheduling. That is the case in ATL too, A380s take up three gates here when they arrive so they cannot be shifted around and changed like other flights. Hence the 60 day scheduling requirement. And I am sure ATL is not the only airport with that sort of notice required. In fact I bet that is on the more lenient side.

Yes. I responded before I read your link and read about ATL's policy. It sounds like QR was responsible for the mixup and is deciding to spin it as an issue with ATL and DL.

[Atlwarrior]

Originally Posted by magnetar

I'm sure "you must comply with another nation's procedures" was what the 500 people stuck on the plane were thinking, not "these hillbillies only have one gate for a 380 and they can't keep it open for a well-publicized landing of one?"

What much ado about nothing.

Based on the gate assignment procedures outlined previously, and letters of correspondence between the ATL airport administration and QR, I really don't think that DL even factors into the conversation.

1. QR made a request outside of normal procedures
2. ATL provided options back to QR to accordance with standard procedures

QR was given the option of adjusting the flight schedule or using a hardstand.

Now, upon acknowledgement when ATL learned an QR was sending and A380, they may/could and likely did ask the other airlines would they be willing to adjust their gate usage and operation to accomodate this QR A380 request. Now, do you really think DL would say "okay sure"? They obviously did not and it was within the procedures defined by the airport for them to do so.

This wasn't anything sinister by DL or Atlanta. QR knew in advance they would have to use a hardstand. This wasn't just suddenly cooked-up on the day of the flight.

QR is milking the publicity and media attention.
Hardstands are not a big deal, and the world will move on.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Yes. I responded before I read your link and read about ATL's policy. It sounds like QR was responsible for the mixup and is deciding to spin it as an issue with ATL and DL.

:-)

[Atlwarrior]

Omg Delta employee spotted at Qatar Airline gate in ATL counting pax boarding flight. Really Delta!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl3EySSC238

Delta Is (Not So Secretly) Spying On Qatar Airways In Atlanta - One Mile at a Time

[Columbus1984]

I flew the route a few weeks back and the plane was probably 80% full going to Doha and 95% full coming back. This route will be profitable.

[ATLondoner]

Originally Posted by Columbus1984

I flew the route a few weeks back and the plane was probably 80% full going to Doha and 95% full coming back. This route will be profitable.

How was the flight, service etc Columbus?

[Atlwarrior]

Originally Posted by Columbus1984

I flew the route a few weeks back and the plane was probably 80% full going to Doha and 95% full coming back. This route will be profitable.

Wow! Thats impressive! How was the service? Are they really #1 in flight service?