View Poll Results: How is it for you?
Awesome, we're making hay while the sun shines 360 days a year
5
9.80%
One wasp or two in the lager but going good
8
15.69%
Slowing but surviving
17
33.33%
Slowing and struggling
11
21.57%
Not quite suicidal yet
4
7.84%
I've nothing to do
5
9.80%
I've already dumped the 4x4 at the airport
1
1.96%
Voters: 51. You may not vote on this poll
How is business?
Jan 28th 2016, 9:56 am
#241
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2014
Location: Hilton Lounge 22nd Floor 1800-2000
Posts: 331
Re: How is business?
There are many airlines tapping into the same market: Emirates, Etihad, Qatar and Turkish. The cake is probably too small for everyone to eat from.
A good price can make miracles. I know a few people who have flown from Western Europe to the US with Turkish via IST (paid like 350 euros). I also know someone who flew to Argentina from France... via Doha! because it was the cheapest option. An American friend flew recently to Western Europe from New York with Aeroflot via Moscow (I reckon Russians need to fill those empty seats now).
The other day Qatar Airways had their January sale and some fares were ridiculous ex-Europe. They were selling Brussels-India for 250 euro return with all taxes (and that was not an error fare, it was well advised in their Belgian website). Maybe Ryanair has new competitors.
A good price can make miracles. I know a few people who have flown from Western Europe to the US with Turkish via IST (paid like 350 euros). I also know someone who flew to Argentina from France... via Doha! because it was the cheapest option. An American friend flew recently to Western Europe from New York with Aeroflot via Moscow (I reckon Russians need to fill those empty seats now).
The other day Qatar Airways had their January sale and some fares were ridiculous ex-Europe. They were selling Brussels-India for 250 euro return with all taxes (and that was not an error fare, it was well advised in their Belgian website). Maybe Ryanair has new competitors.
Jan 28th 2016, 10:03 am
#242
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,520
Re: How is business?
Emirates is cheaper for passengers originating outside the UAE, not within the UAE.
The passenger originating in Brazil or Argentina and flying to Dubai or transitioning through Dubai most likely paid a substantially lower fare than the passenger originating in Dubai and flying the same route.
We're a captive market and Emirates doesn't depend on the UAE market for its profits.
The passenger originating in Brazil or Argentina and flying to Dubai or transitioning through Dubai most likely paid a substantially lower fare than the passenger originating in Dubai and flying the same route.
We're a captive market and Emirates doesn't depend on the UAE market for its profits.
I fly DXB to São Paulo and Buenos Aires a fair bit and the fares are always significantly cheaper on Turkish or Qatar than Emirates. Via Istanbul is a pain but Doha is no drama at all when you're saving AED 2,000 on the (economy) flight, for equivalent level cabin service. EK need to drop their prices or increasingly lose customers to their rivals in the region. The PPRuNe forum makes interesting reading as well.
Jan 28th 2016, 11:12 am
#244
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,467
Re: How is business?
I've just booked DXB - Amsterdam return in March. Emirates were 660 GBP odd, Etihad (who I often fly with) were cheaper but not much and KLM (who I frequently use) were a bit cheaper again. In the end booked BA via Heathrow for 450 GBP. Thats a 210 GBP saving! I know its BA which isn't great but at least they are consistently average where as Emirates have been hit and miss for a few years now. Also, theyre night flights so will just be crashed out anyway. There was also a Transavia flight (direct) for 230 GBP but I read their reviews and decided I'm not that bothered about an extra 200GBP.....
Jan 28th 2016, 11:14 am
#245
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: How is business?
I've just booked DXB - Amsterdam return in March. Emirates were 660 GBP odd, Etihad (who I often fly with) were cheaper but not much and KLM (who I frequently use) were a bit cheaper again. In the end booked BA via Heathrow for 450 GBP. Thats a 210 GBP saving! I know its BA which isn't great but at least they are consistently average where as Emirates have been hit and miss for a few years now. Also, theyre night flights so will just be crashed out anyway. There was also a Transavia flight (direct) for 230 GBP but I read their reviews and decided I'm not that bothered about an extra 200GBP.....
Jan 28th 2016, 11:36 am
#246
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,467
Re: How is business?
I thought about it but going via Heathrow isn't a biggie with hand luggage, just an extra few hours of kip.
Also 300 euros in the Dam will definitely come in handy, especially at hotels running at 100 GBP a night.... and 3 nights of stag beers to finance.
Also 300 euros in the Dam will definitely come in handy, especially at hotels running at 100 GBP a night.... and 3 nights of stag beers to finance.
Jan 28th 2016, 12:00 pm
#247
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 88
Re: How is business?
I fly DXB to São Paulo and Buenos Aires a fair bit and the fares are always significantly cheaper on Turkish or Qatar than Emirates. Via Istanbul is a pain but Doha is no drama at all when you're saving AED 2,000 on the (economy) flight, for equivalent level cabin service. EK need to drop their prices or increasingly lose customers to their rivals in the region. The PPRuNe forum makes interesting reading as well.
What I was trying to say is that Qatar Airways selling tickets at EUR 249 return between Brussels and India is just pretty much giving them away.
It is 4 medium/long-flights of the same distance, if you divide you get 62.25 EUR per ticket. And they have to pay taxes (probably not high in Qatar, but I am sure Belgium and India have plenty of taxes in the ticket). And the food, your weight and luggage (which consumes oil), if you lose your connection they will need to put you in some hotel... I reckon if they don't even lose money on so cheap tickets.
Jan 28th 2016, 12:03 pm
#248
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: How is business?
I had a wicked in time in Amsterdam, but I did go with two single birds and shared a room. Those were the ****ing days.
Jan 28th 2016, 12:16 pm
#249
Hit 16's
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine
Posts: 13,112
Re: How is business?
I and my family have flown Transavia quite a few times -- no probs so far, new fleet, cheap and cheerful (literally, unlike the surly staff on their parent's planes).
Jan 28th 2016, 12:49 pm
#250
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,467
Re: How is business?
I did look online and all, and I mean all the reviews were negative. Tales of luggage issues, delays, bad mannered trolley dollies and minimal leg room.
Then again, who often leaves good reviews for an airline. I certainly haven't! Everyone loves a good moan.
Jan 28th 2016, 12:54 pm
#251
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,467
Re: How is business?
Looking forward to this stag do too, should be decent, theres a decent crew going. Can't say I have ever been there with two single girls tho. Although I may have a lady friend coming to meet me from the UK for a few days after the stag do ....
Jan 29th 2016, 3:55 pm
#252
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887
Jan 30th 2016, 10:48 am
#254
Bored liberal
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Over there ----->
Posts: 13,713
Re: How is business?
Are people really suggesting that the traffic in Dubai has lessened? Not in the main section from the Marina to Deira at hasn't. It's just awful and if you hit peak times a journey that can take 15 minutes in the middle of the day can take up to an hour.
I'd suggest the takings of Uber and Careem drivers have dropped as many people don't want to pay the increased rates. Plenty of redundancies are making many still in jobs nervous and they are watching their spending.
I'd suggest the takings of Uber and Careem drivers have dropped as many people don't want to pay the increased rates. Plenty of redundancies are making many still in jobs nervous and they are watching their spending.
Jan 30th 2016, 10:54 am
#255
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Dubai, working at Dust World Central
Posts: 3,706
Re: How is business?
Try booking a Careem for Thursday evening, even trying in the morning you have no chance. We have pretty much stopped going out to town Thursday night because the roads are always chocka. Friday is now the old Thursday.