Qatar Airways is spreading its wings. Qatar’s national airline celebrated yet another global first when the world’s first commercial passenger A350-1000 touched down at Hamad International Airport. As the global launch customer, Qatar Airways will be the first airline to fly the A350-1000. It is the first Airbus aircraft to be fitted with Qatar Airways’ revolutionary Qsuite Business Class seat.
Minister of Finance and Chairman of Qatar Airways Group, H E Ali Shareef Al Emadi praised the arrival of the most modern and technologically advanced aircraft in the skies and said: “As a nation, we are tremendously proud to accept this aircraft as part of Qatar Airways’ fleet by bringing it to Doha. The A350-1000 will be a wonderful addition to our national carrier’s fleet, allowing Qatar Airways to continue to set the highest standards of excellence and quality in the industry.”
The airline was also the global launch customer for the A350-900 in 2014, and now operates 21 in its fleet. The new A350-1000 began commercial service on the airline’s Doha-London route, on which the A350-900, the A380, Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner already operate, offering six flights a day between Qatar and the United Kingdom’s capital. The remarkable state-of-the-art aircraft will be the first of 42 to be flown on the airline’s expanding global route network.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: As a Qatari, this is a moment of great pride for me, and for the country as a whole. Despite the illegal blockade against the State of Qatar, we have continued to thrive and grow. This ultra-modern aircraft will enable us to continue on that journey and bring people together from all parts of the world, allowing them to experience our renowned, world-class service. With this blockade we are the winners because it has made Qatar stronger.”
Qatar Airways is continuing with its expansion plans. The award-winning airline will add 30 aircraft to its fleet in 2018. The airline has already added many new destinations to its network this year, including Pattaya, Thailand; Penang, Malaysia and Canberra, Australia, with direct service to Cardiff, United Kingdom; Mykonos, Greece; and Malaga, Spain, set to launch this year.
Qatar Airways operates a modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft to a network of more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across the globe. With more A350-1000 joining its fleet in the coming years, Qatar Airways aims to maintain its status as flying one of the youngest fleets in the sky and will continue to offer its passengers outstanding levels of comfort and style.
