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On 21 June 2010, Qatar Airways has announced six new routes to Europe and Asia starting October 2010.<ref>{{Cite press release| title=Qatar Airways Announces Six New Routes| publisher=Qatar Airways| date=2010-06-21| url=http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/newsroom/archive/press-release-21June10.html| accassdate=21 June 2010}}</ref> Qatar Airways currently flies to Phuket via Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi via Bangkok, as well as Nice via Milan . The new destinations slated to begin in Europe are Bucharest, four times weekly, Budapest operating via Bucharest, and Brussels, five times weekly. Also, Qatar Airways has announced that it will launch flights to Venice, starting 15 June 2011 <ref>http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/newsroom/archive/PressRelease1_16Feb11.html.</ref> In February 2011, Qatar Airways announced non-stop flights, 3 times weekly, from Doha to [[Montreal]], starting on 29 June 2011<ref>http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/newsroom/archive/PressRelease1_27Feb11.html</ref>
On 21 June 2010, Qatar Airways has announced six new routes to Europe and Asia starting October 2010.<ref>{{Cite press release| title=Qatar Airways Announces Six New Routes| publisher=Qatar Airways| date=2010-06-21| url=http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/newsroom/archive/press-release-21June10.html| accassdate=21 June 2010}}</ref> Qatar Airways currently flies to Phuket via Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi via Bangkok, as well as Nice via Milan . The new destinations slated to begin in Europe are Bucharest, four times weekly, Budapest operating via Bucharest, and Brussels, five times weekly. Also, Qatar Airways has announced that it will launch flights to Venice, starting 15 June 2011 <ref>http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/newsroom/archive/PressRelease1_16Feb11.html.</ref> In February 2011, Qatar Airways announced non-stop flights, 3 times weekly, from Doha to [[Montreal]], starting on 29 June 2011<ref>http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/newsroom/archive/PressRelease1_27Feb11.html</ref>


Additional new destinations planned for 2011 include [[Surabaya]];, two new destinations each in China and India; [[Tbilisi]]; and [[Montreal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/02/27/353698/montreal-to-be-qatars-first-canadian-route.html|accessdate=2011-02-27|title=Montreal to be Qatar's first Canadian route}}</ref>
Additional new destinations planned for 2011 include [[Surabaya]], [[Tbilisi]] as well as two destinations each in China and India.


===Codeshare agreements===
===Codeshare agreements===

Revision as of 20:55, 28 February 2011

Qatar Airways
القطرية
IATA ICAO Callsign
QR QTR QATARI
FoundedNovember 22, 1993
HubsDoha International Airport
Frequent-flyer programQatar Airways Privilege Club - Qmiles
Subsidiaries
Fleet size96 (+144 orders) incl. cargo
Destinations102
Parent companyGovernment of Qatar
HeadquartersQatar Airways Towers
Doha, Qatar
Key peopleAkbar Al Baker (CEO)
Websitewww.qatarairways.com

Qatar Airways Company Q.C.S.C. (Arabic: القطرية,Qatariyah), 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 95 international destinations from its base in Doha, using a fleet of 96 aircraft. It is one of only seven airlines awarded 5-star rating by Skytrax along with Cathay Pacific, Asiana Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Hainan Airlines, and Kingfisher Airlines. [2]

Qatar Airways operates services across 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 Boeing 767-200ER 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.

Qatar Airways has launched 9 new destinations during 2010, with one more destination coming up. These new destinations include Ankara, Bangalore, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Hanoi, Nice, Phuket, São Paulo and Tokyo. These new routes bring the number of destinations Qatar Airways serves from 85 to 95 worldwide.

Future

Qatar Airways has announced several European and Middle Eastern destinations in the pipeline including Aleppo, Bucharest, Budapest, Brussels, Montreal and Stuttgart, thus taking the total number of destinations to 100 worldwide by April and June 2011.

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

The First Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777F (A7-BFA) in Frankfurt

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.[5]

On August 18, 2010, the airline launched 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.[6]

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.[7] 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.[8]

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.
Main article: Qatar Airways destinations

As of January 31st, 2011 Qatar Airways serves 98 [9] 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. It is one of the few airlines to fly to all six permanently inhabited continents. The other carriers are Air France, British Airways, Delta, Emirates, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines (from 27th March 2011), South African and United.[10]

On 21 June 2010, Qatar Airways has announced six new routes to Europe and Asia starting October 2010.[11] Qatar Airways currently flies to Phuket via Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi via Bangkok, as well as Nice via Milan . The new destinations slated to begin in Europe are Bucharest, four times weekly, Budapest operating via Bucharest, and Brussels, five times weekly. Also, Qatar Airways has announced that it will launch flights to Venice, starting 15 June 2011 [12] In February 2011, Qatar Airways announced non-stop flights, 3 times weekly, from Doha to Montreal, starting on 29 June 2011[13]

Additional new destinations planned for 2011 include Surabaya, Tbilisi as well as two destinations each in China and India.

Codeshare agreements

Qatar Airways has codeshare agreements with the following airlines [14]. * indicate as Star Alliance:

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
A Qatar Airways Airbus A320-200 taxiing at Berlin Tegel Airport (2010).
A Qatar Airways Airbus A319-100 pulling into gate at Berlin Tegel Airport (2010).

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

Qatar Airways Current Fleet[15]
Aircraft Total Orders Passengers
(First/Business/Economy) 		Notes
Airbus A319-100LR 2 0 110 (0/8/102) Widescreen AVOD
Airbus A320-200 17 0 144 (0/12/132) Widescreen AVOD / Mainscreen
Airbus A321-200 12 8 177 (0/12/165) Widescreen AVOD / Mainscreen
Airbus A330-200 16 0 228 (12/24/192)
238 (12/18/208)
260 (0/24/236)
272 (0/24/248) 		PTV AVOD
Airbus A330-300 13 0 259 (12/24/223)
305 (0/30/275) 		PTV AVOD
Airbus A340-600 4 0 306 (8/42/256) PTV AVOD Exit from service Early 2011
Boeing 777-200LR 8 2[16] 259 (0/42/217) Widescreen AVOD
Boeing 777-300ER 13 10 335 (0/42/293) Widescreen AVOD
Airbus A300-600RF 3 0 Cargo Qatar Airways Cargo
Boeing 777F 2 1 Cargo Qatar Airways Cargo
Airbus A319-100CJ 2 0 36 (16/20/0) Qatar Executive
Bombardier Challenger 300 1 0 7 (7/0/0) Qatar Executive
Bombardier Challenger 600 1 0 13 (13/0/0) Qatar Executive
Bombardier Challenger 605 2 0 11 (11/0/0) Qatar Executive
Total 96 21
  • Qatar Airways operated the longest scheduled Airbus A319 flight in the world. The flight operated between Doha and Copenhagen in Denmark from March until October 2010, and is now operated by an Airbus A330-200.

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.

Qatar Airways - Aircraft on order[17]
Aircraft Orders Options Passengers
(First/Business/Economy) 		Entry into service
Boeing 787-8 30 30 TBD 2011
Airbus A380-800 5 2 TBD 2012
Airbus A350-800 20 – TBD 2014
Airbus A350-900 40 – TBD 2013
Airbus A350-1000 20 – TBD 2015
Total 115 32

Previously operated

Airbus A300-600RF Cargo at Doha International Airport

Qatar Airways formerly operated the following aircraft:[18]

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. 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

In-flight meal in Qatar Airways 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), 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

File:Qatarairways A330 economy.jpg
Economy class interior on Qatar Airways

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 several A320 family 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.[19]
  • 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.[20]
  • June 13, 2005: At the Paris Air Show, Qatar Airways becomes the launch customer for the Airbus A350 ordering 60 aircraft worth $15bn.[21]
  • 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.[22]
  • June 27, 2007: Qatar Airways' maiden US flight arrives in New York.[23]
  • November 11, 2007: Qatar Airways orders 60 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners and 32 Boeing 777s.[24]
  • November 29, 2007: First Boeing 777-300ER arrived at Doha.[25]
  • June 15, 2009: At the Paris Air Show, Qatar Airways orders 20 A320 and 4 A321 aircraft worth $1.9bn.[26]
  • February 3, 2009: Airline takes delivery of first Boeing 777-200LR.[27]
  • 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.[28][29]

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.[30]
  • 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).
  • On October 13, 2010, on flight QR645 from Manila to Doha the pilot in command suffered from a fatal heart attack. The co-pilot took over, and the plane made an emergency landing in Kuala Lumpur. All passengers were reported safe.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Qatar Airways Tower." Qatar Airways. Retrieved on 22 June 2010.
  2. ^ http://www.airlinequality.com/StarRanking/5star.htm
  3. ^ Qatar Airways Fleet Age
  4. ^ Qatar Airways Factsheet May 2010
  5. ^ http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=business_news&month=september2008&file=business_news2008092272530.xml
  6. ^ http://www.ameinfo.com/239240.html
  7. ^ "Qatar Airways Makes GTL History". Downstream Today. 2009-10-15. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
  8. ^ Qatar Airways Flies Plane With New Fuel, Wall Street Journal, Wednesday, October 14, 2009, p.B2
  9. ^ http://www.qatarairways.com
  10. ^ Smith, Patrick (10 July 2009). "Ask the Pilot: Welcome to the Six Continent Club!". Salon.com. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  11. ^ "Qatar Airways Announces Six New Routes" (Press release). Qatar Airways. 2010-06-21. {{cite press release}}: Unknown parameter |accassdate= ignored (help)
  12. ^ http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/newsroom/archive/PressRelease1_16Feb11.html.
  13. ^ http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/newsroom/archive/PressRelease1_27Feb11.html
  14. ^ Codeshare with Qatar Airways
  15. ^ http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/Qatar-Airways#AirlineFleetList
  16. ^ "More orders at Farnborough on day three". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 21 July 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
  17. ^ Qatar Airways Fleet - Official Website
  18. ^ Flight International World Airline Directory 1994-2002
  19. ^ Qatar Airways from encyclopedia.com
  20. ^ Qatar Airways Orders Airbus A380s And A340-600s
  21. ^ Airbus wins Qatar Airways order worth $15bn
  22. ^ Qatar Airways orders 80 Airbus A350XWB worth US$16 billion
  23. ^ http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/newsroom/archive/English_Press_release_Jun28_07.html?linkdes_5*2 Qatar Airways Maiden USA Flight Arrives In New York
  24. ^ Qatar Airways Orders 60 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners And 32 Boeing 777s
  25. ^ Qatar Airways Celebrates Delivery Of First Boeing Aircraft As Boeing 777-300ER Lands At Doha International Airport
  26. ^ Qatar Airways Buys 24 Airbus A320 Family Aircraft
  27. ^ Qatar Airways Takes Delivery of First Boeing 777-200LR
  28. ^ Qatar Airways New B777 Freighter Goes Into Operation
  29. ^ Qatar Airways puts first 777F into service
  30. ^ GE investigates double CF6-80 flame-out on Qatar A330-200 into Shanghai 16 June 2006
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