Press Release
QATAR AIRWAYS TO LAUNCH FIRST ALL-BUSINESS CLASS SERVICE FROM LONDON HEATHROW
World’s best business class airline gears up to become first in Middle East to offer an all-premium product
New daily flight from T4 takes London Heathrow capacity up to 42 services per week
World’s best business class airline gears up to become first in Middle East to offer an all-premium product
New daily flight from T4 takes London Heathrow capacity up to 42 services per week
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Qatar Airways is to become the first carrier to fly an all-Business Class service from London Heathrow. The new, daily service will fly from Heathrow to Doha, Qatar using an Airbus A319 configured with a single aisle, 2-2 seating configuration offering 40 seats.
The new service, from Terminal 4 to Doha, commences on 15 May 2014 and departs Heathrow at 21:55, arriving into Doha at 06:40am the following day.
Qatar Airways currently operates five daily flights to London Heathrow and the additional sixth all Business Class daily service marks the start of an exciting new era for travellers to and from the UK, who can experience complete comfort and privacy with the airline’s award-winning five-star hospitality.
The new additional flight will step up the frequency on the London Heathrow-Doha route from 35 to 42 weekly services.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “Today’s announcement reaffirms Qatar Airways’ determination to continue its expansion drive by improving an already superior in-flight product.
“The airline goes to great lengths to consider passenger convenience and comfort at every step of their journey. The London Heathrow-Doha route is one of Qatar Airways’ most popular international routes and it was only fitting that we introduce an all Business Class service on this key route, where customers will also be able to benefit from our new Qatar Airways premium lounge in London Heathrow’s terminal four, and of course the Premium Terminal in Doha."
Qatar Airways has been awarded the World’s Best Business Class Airline for 2013 and has also twice been the recipient of the Airline of the Year Award in 2011 and 2012 at the prestigious Skytrax Airline Awards. The airline has also been named as ‘Best Long-Haul Airline’ for the second year running and ‘Business Airline of the Year’ at the high profile UK Business Travel Awards 2014 recently held in London.
Qatar Airways’ new A319 Business Class seat will have one of the highest specifications for business class travel of any airline with wide seats that recline into fully flat beds and state of the art Oryx entertainment system (with more than 900 entertainment options – movies, television, video games and music).
Passengers can also remain in touch with their friends and loved ones on the ground through the SMS mobile texting GSM and GPRS service upon this aircraft, which is sure to reflect that of a VIP jet experience for those traveling between London and Doha.
Currently undergoing rapid expansion, Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 17th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 129 aircraft flying to 134 key business and leisure destinations across six continents.
Qatar Airways’ first venture into the all Business Class premium market will strengthen its position as one of the leading airlines in the global aviation industry.
As part of its aggressive expansion programme, Qatar Airways will launch routes to eight new destinations during 2014: Sharjah (UAE) from March 1; Dubai World Central (UAE) from March 1; Philadelphia (USA) from April 2; Larnaca (Cyprus) from April 29; Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (Turkey) from May 22; Edinburgh (Scotland) from May 28; Miami (USA) from June 10 and Dallas/Fort Worth (USA) from July 1.
The Doha – London Heathrow New Daily A319 All Business Class Flight Schedule
(all times local)
Depart Doha QR015 at 14:50 hrs, arrives in London Heathrow 20:25 hrs
Depart London Heathrow QR016 at 21:55 hrs, arrives in Doha 06:40 hrs
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Notes to Editors:
On October 30, 2013, Qatar Airways joined the oneworld Alliance, becoming the first Gulf carrier to join the global airline alliance, enabling its customers to benefit from almost a thousand airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,000 daily departures.
Award-winning carrier Qatar Airways was presented with three honours at the annual Skytrax 2013 World Airline Awards held during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, France last June. The airline was awarded World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Lounge and, for the second consecutive year, Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East.
During the 2013 Dubai Air Show the airline placed orders for more than 60 new aircraft – a mixture of Boeing 777X and Airbus A330 Freighters. In total the airline has more than 280 aircraft on order worth more than US $50 billion. The airline will move into its new hub and home, Hamad International Airport from early 2014. For more information, visit www.qatarairways.com.