Qatar Airways marks 25 years of services to the UK
- The flight included a bespoke British-themed menu including Sunday roast, and fish and chips with mushy peas
- Retro aircraft given a special welcome on arrival at London Heathrow
London, UK, 2022-Apr-01 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways celebrated an important milestone in its history as it marked 25 years of services to the UK with a very special flight on 30 March 2022.
On 30 March 1997, Qatar Airways launched its Doha to London Heathrow service, using an A300-600R aircraft. 25 years on, Qatar Airways is now one of the world’s biggest airlines, operating 35 flights per week from Doha to London Heathrow, and more than 50 a week to the UK.
Yesterday, passengers and aviation fans were taken down a nostalgic journey when the airline flew its retro livery Boeing 777-300 aircraft to commemorate that very first flight. Qatar Airways Flight 007 was welcomed into London Heathrow with a traditional water cannon salute and a special celebration event for passengers.
The airline marked this occasion with an in-flight food menu, designed to evoke traditional British flavours. The exclusive à la carte menu illustrated famous icons in the UK including Britain’s red telephone boxes.
Passengers seated in Premium Cabins were invited to dine from the exclusive ‘25 Years of Excellence in London’ à la carte menu featuring famous English dishes including Sunday roast with Yorkshire pudding, beef pie, fish and chips with mushy peas and strawberry trifle. Economy Class passengers were also treated to bespoke dishes prepared for London’s celebration featuring distinct British dishes including Shepherd’s pie, Sunday roast chicken, sausage rolls and trifle for dessert.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “This is an incredibly important landmark in our history as we celebrate the anniversary of one of our longest serving and most popular routes. The last 25 years has seen us grow from a small airline to one of the largest in the world. Our airline itself celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and London was an important first step in our journey; it remains a cornerstone of our global network today. This milestone also showcases Qatar’s exceptional relationship with the UK, and we look forward to our next 25 years.”
Chief Executive Officer of Heathrow, John Holland-Kaye, said: “We want to congratulate Qatar Airways on a quarter of a century of linking London and Doha through Heathrow, the UK’s only hub airport. By working together with partners like Qatar Airways we can maintain and build on the UK’s vital connections to key cities around the world, for the benefit of passengers and businesses.”
Qatar Airways extended its celebrations in the Premium Cabin with surprise treats for passengers from UK’s most iconic department store, Harrods. Passengers received a Harrods’ All-Butter Chocolate Chip Shortbread Biscuits and Harrods’ London edition of Earl Grey Tea. In addition to a special Qatar Airways branded teddy bear.
To celebrate the anniversary, the airline has launched special fares offering up to 25 per cent discount on flights from London Heathrow to selected destinations including the Maldives, Seychelles, Sydney and many more. Customers can book until 1 April 2022, using promo code LHR25.
The airline was established in 1997 by his Highness The Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who outlined a vision to turn Qatar Airways into a leading international carrier with the highest standards of service and excellence. Since then, Qatar Airways has carried more than 2.5 million passengers between London and Doha, shown thousands of different movies on board and been named Skytrax ‘Airline of the Year’ a record six times by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax, for the sixth time. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’.
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Notes to Editors:
About Qatar Airways:
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2021 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’. The airline continues to stand alone at the top of the industry having won the main prize for an unprecedented sixth time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021).
Hamad International Airport (HIA), the airline’s home and hub, was recently announced as the ‘World’s Best Airport’ in the Skytrax 2021 World Airport Awards. HIA has been steadily rising in the ‘World’s Best Airports’ rankings since the start of its operations in 2014.
Qsuite, a patented Qatar Airways product, features the industry’s first-ever double bed in Business Class, as well as privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room, a first of its kind in the industry.
Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 160 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights can stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM, reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message – Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s leading international air cargo carrier is based in Doha, State of Qatar. It serves a global network of more than 60 freighter destinations and 140 passenger destinations utilising freighters, belly-hold passenger flights, passenger freighters and mini freighters. The airline’s freighter fleet includes two Boeing 747-8 freighters, two Boeing 747-4 freighters, 26 Boeing 777 freighters, one Airbus A330 freighter, one Airbus A310 freighter and one Boeing 777-300ER mini freighter. It also has an extensive road feeder service (RFS) network.
Qatar Executive is the private jet charter division of Qatar Airways Group. Luxury jet services are available for worldwide charter on board the operator’s wholly-owned business jet fleet. Qatar Executive is the launch customer for Gulfstream’s G700, the world’s first commercial service operator of the Gulfstream G500 and largest commercial operator of the G650ER worldwide. Qatar Executive’s service portfolio also includes aircraft management, maintenance and Fixed Based Operator services.
For further information, please contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200
Email: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa
Source: Qatar Airways
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