Qatar Airways’ first daily regularly-scheduled Airbus A350 service to London Heathrow arrived in the United Kingdom on Sunday 30 October
- Airline now offers the best of fleet across its six daily direct flights between Doha’s Hamad International Airport and London Heathrow
- Thousands of Facebook fans tuned in to watch a live tour of the aircraft before the its return journey to Doha
DOHA, Qatar, 2016-Oct-31 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways’ first daily regularly-scheduled Airbus A350 service to London Heathrow arrived in the United Kingdom on Sunday 30 October, as the airline introduced the state-of-the-art aircraft on the route, complementing the existing ‘best of fleet’ on its six daily flights from Hamad International Airport.
The Qatar Airways Airbus A350 represents the pinnacle of modern aviation technology, offering enhanced benefits for both passengers and an environment that provides a unique and unrivalled experience. The aircraft joins the airline’s Airbus A380, Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft currently operating the route.
To mark the occasion Qatar Airways followers on social media were able to follow a live tour of the interior cabin of the A350 while on the ground at London Heathrow. The video can is now available at https://www.facebook.com/qatarairways/
The landing of the A350 on Sunday 30 October also marked another milestone for the airline as it took place on the same day as the start of a new joint business agreement between Qatar Airways and British Airways. The agreement benefits customers by offering a wider choice of flights by code sharing on all seven Qatar Airways and British Airways direct daily flights between London and Doha.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “The Qatar Airways Airbus A350 is one of the most advanced aircraft in our fleet, offering passengers an unrivalled level of comfort while experiencing our award-winning hospitality. It is only right that such an aircraft serves one of our six daily scheduled flights from Doha to London, a route further strengthened by our continued partnership with British Airways.”
Heathrow Chief Executive, John Holland-Kaye, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Qatar Airways Airbus A350 to Heathrow. The A350 is part of the new generation of quieter, cleaner planes, helping us to be a better neighbour while achieving our vision of giving passengers the best airport service in the world.”
Whether travelling for business or pleasure, a journey with Qatar Airways on the A350 is like no other. The state of the art Oryx One entertainment system offers up to 3,000 entertainment options and passengers can stay connected throughout their flight with Wi-Fi available across both cabins.
Offering wider seats in both Business and Economy Class, combined with the lowest cabin noise levels of any aircraft, advanced air conditioning technology and programmable LED lighting, the resulting environment allows passengers to arrive at their destination feeling relaxed and less fatigued.
The Business Class cabin of the A350 has 36 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration featuring an 80-inch fully-flat bed and 17-inch HD in-flight entertainment screen. Economy Class features 247 18-inch wide seats in a 3-3-3 configuration, each with a 10.6-inch in-flight entertainment screen, and more space at shoulder level for passengers in window seats due to the vertical sidewall panel design.
Qatar Airways was the global launch customer for the Airbus A350 XWB in January 2015 and currently operates 11 A350s, with a further 69 on order, across its global network. It is the first airline to fly the A350 to three continents, the first airline to fly the A350 to the United States, and the largest operator of the A350.
The Airbus A350 operates on the following services daily between Hamad International Airport, Doha and Heathrow, London:
QR15 departs Doha at 14.55 and arrives in London at 20.25
QR16 departs London at 21.55 and arrives in Doha at 06.40
Notes to editors:
For images please visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/qatarairways/albums/72157674530195881
About Qatar Airways:
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 19th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 190 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was awarded World’s Best Business Class; Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East at the prestigious 2016 World Airline Awards managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax.
Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. 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 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ inflight entertainment system offers passengers up to 3,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 as well as select A320 and A330 aircraft can also 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 is one of the world’s leaders in sponsoring global sporting events, including the strategic team sponsorships of FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia FC. Qatar Airways’ strategy reflects 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 third largest cargo carrier, serves more than 50 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally on 190 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet now includes eight Airbus 330Fs, 11 Boeing 777 freighters and two Boeing 747 freighters.
For further information contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 40222072, Fax: +974 40225350
E-mail: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa
Visit our homepage www.qatarairways.com or our sites on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, and YouTube.
For Qatar Airways corporate images, please click here: http://www.qatarairways.com/corporateimages
SOURCE: Qatar Airways