Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways
القطرية

IATA QR ICAO QTR Callsign QATARI
Founded	November 22, 1993
Hubs	Doha International Airport
Frequent-flyer program	Qatar Airways Privilege Club - Qmiles
Member lounge	Qatar Premium Terminal
Subsidiaries	The Qatar Aircraft Catering Company Doha International Airport Qatar Airways Holidays United Media Int Qatar Duty Free Qatar Aviation Services Qatar Distribution Company Qatar Executive
Fleet size	84 (+144 orders) incl.cargo
Destinations	91 (incl. cargo destinations)
Company slogan	World's 5-star airline
Parent company	Government of Qatar
Headquarters	Qatar Airways Towers Doha, Qatar
Key people	Akbar Al Baker (CEO)
Website	www.qatarairways.com

Qatar Airways Company Q.C.S.C. (Arabic: القطرية‎), operating as Qatar Airways, is the flag carrier of Qatar. Headquartered in the Qatar Airways Tower in Doha,^[1] it operates a hub and spoke network, linking over 90 international destinations from its base in Doha, using a fleet of 84 aircraft. It is one of only six airlines awarded 5-star rating by Skytrax along with Cathay Pacific, Asiana Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Kingfisher Airlines. ^[2]

Qatar Airways operates services across the Africa, Central Asia, Europe, Far East, Indian subcontinent, Middle East, North America, South America and Oceania.

Qatar Airways is currently undergoing a major expansion and is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world. The airline also operates one of the youngest fleets in the world (an average of less than 4.1 years).^[3]

The airline employs more than 15,000 people. 10,000 employees work for the airline directly while the other 5,000 work in the airline's subsidiaries.^[4]

History

Qatar Airways was established on November 22, 1993. The airline started its operations on January 20, 1994 using a wet-leased B767-200(ER) from Kuwait Airways. It was originally owned by private members of the royal family of Qatar. However, it was re-launched in 1997, under a new management team. Currently, the Government of Qatar holds 50% stake of Qatar Airways and the rest is held by private investors. Over the years, Qatar Airways has grown into one of the most competitive airlines in the world.

Future

Qatar Airways recently announced that it will launch 10 new destinations during 2010. These new destinations include Ankara, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Bangalore, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Phuket, Nice, Hanoi. These new routes will bring the number of destinations Qatar Airways serves from 85 to 95 worldwide. In 2011, as of now Qatar Airways has announced Bucharest, Budapest and Brussels thus taking the total number of destinations to 98 worldwide.

On 21 June 2010, Qatar Airways has announced six new routes to Europe and Asia starting October 2010.^[5] Flights will start operating to Phuket via Kuala Lumpur and on the 1st of November, Hanoi via Bangkok. The new destinations in Europe are Bucharest, four times weekly, Budapest operating via Bucharest, Nice operating via Milan and Brussels, five times weekly.

Company affiars and identity

Divisions

Qatar Airways has many divisions including: Qatar Aircraft Catering Company, Doha International Airport, Qatar Airways Holidays, United Media Int, Qatar Duty Free, Qatar Aviation Services, Qatar Distribution Company and Qatar Executive.

Cargo

Qatar Airways Cargo, the airlines freight branch, has ordered three Boeing 777F. The first Boeing 777F was delivered to the airline in on May 14, 2010, and has freight facilities able to handle 750,000 tonnes of cargo per annum during its first development phase. The Boeing 777F will be used primarily on Qatar Airways' Far East and European routes and will be supplemented by Airbus A300-600F freighters that operate on regional routes feeding the airline's hub.

Dedicated cargo flights to Cairo International Airport were launched in June 2009 complementing the passenger services already operated.^[6]

On August 18, 2010, the airline will launch its first US dedicated cargo service from its hub in Doha to Chicago with a stop-over in Amsterdam, Netherlands with Boeing 777 freighter aircraft.^[7]

Qatar Executive

Qatar Executive is a corporate jet subsidiary of Qatar Airways. It operates a fleet of one Bombardier Challenger 300 and two of the larger Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft. The jets are painted in a different paint scheme than the rest of Qatar Airways' fleet, sporting a white fuselage with a slightly smaller Oryx painted in the airline's traditional colors of burgundy and gray.

Natural gas to liquid fuel demonstration

On 12 October 2009, a Qatar Airways Airbus A340-600 conducted the world's first commercial passenger flight using a mixture of kerosene and synthetic Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) fuel, produced from natural gas, on its flight from London's Gatwick Airport to Doha.^[8] The experiment's purpose was to demonstrate the viability of jet fuel made from a source not subject to rapidly fluctuating oil prices. In addition, positioning natural gas in particular as an alternative source of jet fuel is in the interests of the Qatari government; Qatar is the world's leading exporter of natural gas. However, some experts believe that GTL fuel is likely to remain a marginal choice due to an expensive production process.^[9]

Cabin crew

Qatar Airways cabin crew was voted Best Cabin Crew in the Middle East for the seventh consecutive year at the 2009 Skytrax airline awards.

Destinations

A Qatar Airways Airbus A330-202 in a special Asian Games livery.

As of June 24, 2010 Qatar Airways serves 89 ^[10] destinations and Qatar Airways Cargo serves 19 (including 15 destinations served by Qatar Airways also) destinations in 55 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania from its hub at Doha International Airport.

Freighter destinations

In addition to the passenger aircraft destinations listed above, Qatar Airways Cargo operates cargo services with dedicated freighter aircraft to Amsterdam, Chicago, Kolkata, Milan and Sialkot

Codeshare agreements

SilkAir has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:

Qatar Airways office in the Houston Pavilions in Downtown Houston

Fleet

Current fleet

Qatar Airways Airbus A330-300 at Manchester Airport, UK, painted in the new livery

Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER at Doha International Airport, Qatar

Airbus A330-200 painted in the old livery landing

Boeing 777-300ER landing

Airbus A320-200 painted in the old livery being taxied at Berlin-Tegel Airport

The Qatar Airways fleet consists of the following aircraft, including Qatar Executive fleet (as of July 2010):

• Qatar Airways operates the longest scheduled Airbus A319 flight in the world. The flight operates between Doha and Barcelona in Spain.

Future aircraft

Qatar Airways placed orders for over a hundred new-generation aircraft to replace existing aircraft and add extra capacity to its worldwide network. Five new types of wide-body aircraft are expected to join the fleet within the next five years.

Previously operated

Qatar Airways formerly operated the following aircraft:^[13]

• Boeing 767-200ER: 1 wetleased for few days from Kuwait Airways. First aircraft to be operated by Qatar Airways. Aircraft line number 131 (registration marks 9K-AIA). Aircraft was wet-leased due to delay in delivery of the first leased A310-200 from Airbus Leasing.
• Airbus A310-200: 2 leased from Airbus Leasing. From Jan 1994 to June 1995 (Registration A7-ABA and ABB).
• Boeing 737-200Adv: 1 Short term wet-leased from Air Atlanta Icelandic/Lufthansa in Oct 1994 for 1 month.
• Boeing 727-200Adv: 6 from May 1995 to 1999. First aircraft type purchased by airline on May 2, 1995 (two from Emirates Airlines). (Registration A7-ABC, ABD, ABE, ABF, and ABG). 1 leased from Yemenia in February 1995 for a short term.
• Boeing 747SR-81 (747-100BSR): 2 purchased from Boeing; ex-All Nippon Airways. Operated from June 1995 to Mar 1999. (Registration A7-ABK and ABL).
• Boeing 757-200: 1 leased for a short term from Royal Brunei Airlines in Nov 1997.
• Airbus A300-600R: 7 leased from AWAS over various periods of time starting from March 1997 to Feb 2007. Two A300-600 aircraft converted to freighter for use by Qatar Airways Cargo.

Airbus A300-600RF Cargo at Doha International Airport

Cabin

All classes on board Qatar Airways aircraft (apart from some A319/A320/A321's) have video screens at every seat. Only a few A319/A320/A321's have personal televisions in every seat, and more are to be fitted in the near future. Live digital satellite television can be accessed on the A330 and A340 aircraft, offering European and Arabic channels. All long-haul fleet aircraft and some short-haul aircraft are equipped with on-demand IFE systems featuring movies, TV programmes, music, games, interactive maps, and a personal telephone. Qatar Airways has 3 different IFE systems: Widescreen AVOD, PTV AVOD and Mainscreen. All are branded under the Oryx Entertainment - Multiplex in the sky branding. Widescreen AVOD is fit on board all B777's and some A319/A320/A321. It offers a touch screen and a remote. This is the flagship system and is fitted on board all new deliveries. It doesn't have live television. PTV AVOD is fit on board all A330's and A340's. It has a PTV and a remote. This was Qatar's first AVOD system. It is the only system that offers live television. Mainscreen is fit on board all A319/A320/A321's that don't have the new widescreen system. There are also mainscreen screens fit on board A330's in addition to their PTV AVOD system, they offer airshow throughout the flight. Mainscreen shows films and tv shows for the duration of the shorthaul journeys. It also shows airshow in the spare time. It will be the first system to disappear.

Interior of Qatar Airways Airbus A330-200

Qatar Airways has introduced new flat-bed seats in Business Class on its fleet of new Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 777-200LR aircraft.

First Class

Qatar Airways offers First Class passengers over 6.5 feet of legroom and seats that fold into flat beds with feather duvets. First Class seats are equipped with massage functions and an entertainment system. Qatar Airways plans to eliminate First Class cabins from existing A340 aircraft, as well as new aircraft deliveries [1]. Al-Baker has announced that all upcoming 777 deliveries will be in standard two-class configuration.

Business Class

Qatar Airways offers Business Class passengers fully flat 180-degree horizontal beds in a 2-2-2 configuration on board a fleet of new Boeing 777 aircraft. The Boeing 777 aircraft are used on the following routes: New York (JFK), Washington, DC (IAD), Houston (IAH), Cape Town (CPT), Johannesburg (JNB), Bangkok (BKK) Melbourne (MEL), Bangkok (BKK), Singapore (SIN),Shanghai (PVG), Guangzhou (CAN), London (LHR), Sau Paulo (GRU), Buenos Aires (EZE), Osaka (KIX), Tokyo (NRT), Manila (MNL), Jeddah (JED), and Kuala Lumpur (KUL). Business Class passengers on board other long-haul aircraft have up to 172-degree recliner seats, with massage functions. Customers can choose fine wines and champagnes, including vintages exclusive to Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways has introduced new Business Class seats on board its newly delivered A320 aircraft with IFE seat-back PTVs in every seat. It will introduce the new seats in each upcoming new A320 aircraft, as well as retrofitting 4 existing A321 and 2 A319LR aircraft.

Qatar Airways will introduce a whole new business class cabin starting from 2011. Details as to what the new cabin will feature have not been made public [2].

Economy Class

Qatar Airways Economy Class was named best in the world in the 2009 and 2010 Skytrax Awards. Qatar Airways offers Economy Class passengers a seat pitch of up to 34 inches. Economy class passengers on A330/A340 aircraft are offered individual seat-back TV screens. Passengers on 777 aircraft are offered touch-screen TV's.

Qatar Airways has taken delivery of three A320 and three A321 aircraft so far with individual seat-back personal televisions in every seat in economy class. The IFE is equipped with the same Thales entertainment system as used in the widebody fleet. A further four A321s and the two A319LRs will be equipped with the new IFE, as well as new upcoming A320 family aircraft deliveries.

Privilege Club

Qatar Airways' Privilege Club loyalty programme has reciprocal agreements with Asiana Airlines' Asiana Club, bmi's Diamond Club, Lufthansa's Miles and More, Middle East Airlines' Cedar Miles, All Nippon Airways' Mileage Club, United Airlines' Mileage Plus, and US Airways' Dividend Miles frequent flyer schemes. Privilege Club also has tie-ups with international hotel and car rental companies.

Qatar Airways Exclusive Premium Terminal

The Premium Terminal, Qatar Airways' dedicated terminal for First and Business Class passengers, opened at Doha International Airport in Winter 2006. Built in nine months at a cost of US$90million, the 10,000sqm Premium Terminal features facilities include check-in, duty-free shopping, conference rooms, nursery and play area, spa treatment rooms, sauna, jacuzzi and restaurants. The business class lounge has undergone renovation that has increased the seating capacity by more than 80%. CEO Akabar Al Bakar is also leading the development of the New Doha International Airport, which opens in phases from 2011.

Key dates

• November 22, 1993: Qatar Airways is founded.
• January 20, 1994: Airline begins operations as a budget carrier.
• October, 1996: New management appointed.
• March 24, 1997: Airline receives first Airbus A300-600 aircraft on lease from AWAS in new Qatar Airways livery.
• February 1, 1999: Airline takes delivery of first new Airbus A320 aircraft (A7-ABR) on lease from Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE).
• May 2002: Government of Qatar withdraws from Gulf Air; fast-growing Qatar Airways has 21 aircraft.^[14]
• May 10, 2003: Airline takes delivery of first Airbus A330-200 aircraft (A7-ACA).
• January 11, 2004: At the Dubai Airshow, Qatar Airways orders Airbus A380s and A340-600s.^[15]
• June 13, 2005: At the Paris Air Show, Qatar Airways becomes the launch customer for the Airbus A350 ordering 60 aircraft worth $15bn.^[16]
• September 8, 2006: Airline takes delivery of first Airbus A340-600 aircraft (A7-AGA).
• June 18, 2007: At the Paris Airshow, Qatar Airways orders 80 Airbus A350XWB worth US$16 billion, becoming the launch customer for the type.^[17]
• June 27, 2007: Qatar Airways' maiden US flight arrives in New York.^[18]
• November 11, 2007: Qatar Airways orders 60 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners and 32 Boeing 777s.^[19]
• November 29, 2007: First Boeing 777-300ER arrived at Doha.^[20]
• June 15, 2009: At the Paris Air Show, Qatar Airways orders 20 A320 and 4 A321 aircraft worth $1.9bn.^[21]
• February 3, 2009: Airline takes delivery of first Boeing 777-200LR.^[22]
• May 18, 2010: Airline puts first Boeing 777F (A7-BFA) into service with flight from Doha to Amsterdam. Aircraft was delivered on May 14, 2010.^[23][24]

Incidents and accidents

• An Airbus A330-200 (Flight QR889) suffered a double engine flameout on approach into Shanghai on June 1, 2006 after a flight from Doha. Both engines were restarted and an emergency landing made at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The aircraft, registered A7-ACI, had just been delivered.^[25]
• On April 19, 2007, an Airbus A300-600R (registration A7-ABV) was written off as a result of a hangar fire during maintenance at Abu Dhabi International Airport (GAMCO maintenance center).

See also

• Qatar Airways Holidays
• Qatar Executive
• Doha International Airport
• Qatar
• Qatar Amiri Flight operate aircraft in Qatar Airways colour schemes.

References

External links

• Official website
• Qatar Executive
• Qatar Airways Cargo
• Qatar to Houston - Qatar Airways