Qatar Airways
القطرية

IATA QR ICAO QTR Callsign QATARI
Founded	1993
Hubs	Doha International Airport
Frequent flyer program	Qatar Airways Privilege Club - Qmiles
Member lounge	Qatar Airways First and Business Lounges
Subsidiaries	The Qatar Aircraft Catering Company Doha International Airport Qatar Airways Holidays United Media Int Qatar Duty Free Qatar Aviation Services Qatar Distribution Company Qatar Executive
Fleet size	72 (+158 orders) incl.cargo
Destinations	84 incl.cargo destinations
Company slogan	World's 5-star airline
Parent company	Government of Qatar
Headquarters	Doha, Qatar
Key people	Akbar Al Baker (CEO)
Website	http://www.qatarairways.com

Qatar Airways Company Q.C.S.C. (Arabic: القطرية‎) is the flag carrier airline of Qatar, based in Doha. It operates a hub and spoke network, linking over 80 international destinations. It is among the only six airlines awarded 5-star rating by Skytrax along with Kingfisher Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Asiana Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines.^[1]

[edit] Destinations

As of November 2009 Qatar Airways serves 84^[2][3] destinations and Qatar Airways Cargo serves 19 (including 15 destinations served by Qatar Airways also) destinations in 52 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and North America from its hub at Doha International Airport.

[edit] Cargo

Qatar Airways Cargo, the airlines freight branch, has ordered seven Boeing 777-F. The first Boeing 777-F will be delivered to the airline in 2009 to coincide with the opening of the New Doha International Airport, which will have freight facilities able to handle 750,000 tonnes of cargo per annum during its first development phase. The Boeing 777-F 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. Meanwhile, a new destination, Zaragoza has been added to the cargo destination, the route is operated every Saturday using a Airbus A300-600RF, and the returning flight goes through via Dubai, increasing the capacity to the city to three times a week. Dedicated cargo flights to Cairo International Airport were launched in June 2009 complimenting the passenger services already operated.^[4]

[edit] Qatar Executive

Qatar Executive is a corporate jet subsidiary of Qatar Airways. It operates fleet of 1 Bombardier Challenger 300 and two of the larger Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft. The jets are painted is a different paint scheme than the rest of Qatar Airways' fleet, sporting a white fuselage with an slightly smaller Oryx painted in the airline's traditional colors of burgundy and gray.

[edit] Fleet

Qatar Airways Airbus A330-300 at Manchester Airport, UK

Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER at Doha International Airport, Qatar

Airbus A330-200 landing.

Airbus A320-200 being taxied at Berlin-Tegel Airport

Qatar Airways formerly flew an all-Airbus fleet but now has a mix of Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The fleet consists of the following aircraft (including Qatar Executive fleet) as of November 2009:

Airbus A300-600RF Cargo at Doha International Airport

[edit] Cabin

All classes onboard Qatar Airways aircraft (except A319/320/321) have video screens at every seat. Live digital satellite television can be accessed on the A330 and A340 aircraft, offering European and Arabic channels. All long-haul fleet aircraft are equipped with on-demand IFE systems featuring movies, TV programmes, music, games, interactive maps, and a personal telephone.

Interior of Qatar Airways Airbus A330-200

Qatar Airways introduced new flat-bed seats in business class in its new Boeing 777-200LR aircraft. The new beds will be introduced throughout the fleet with time. The inflight lounges on board the A340-600's are due to be dismantled in order to increase seat capacity.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] First Class

Qatar Airways offers First Class passengers one of the most spacious seats in the sky with over 6.5 feet of legroom and seats that fold into complete flat beds fitted with soft feather duvets. First Class seats are equipped with massage functions, as well as a state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system, providing passengers with over 900 ways to relax and unwind. Passengers enjoy 5-star dining at 35,000 feet, with an exquisite ten-course meal.

[edit] Business Class

Qatar Airways offers Business Class passengers fully flat 180-degree horizontal beds in a 2-2-2 configuration onboard a fleet of brand new Boeing 777 aircraft. The Boeing 777 aircraft are used exclusively on flights to the USA - New York (JFK), Washington, DC (IAD) and Houston (IAH) - and on select routes throughout the Qatar Airways global network. Business Class passengers onboard other long-haul aircraft enjoy up to 172-degree recliner seats, with built-in automatic massage functions. Passengers are served a broad array of signature delicatessen such as foie gras, caviar, and smoked salmon. Customers may complement their meal with a wide selection of fine wines and champagnes, including select vintages exclusive to Qatar Airways.

[edit] Privilege Club

Qatar Airways' Privilege Club loyalty programme has reciprocal agreements with 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 & car rental companies.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Qatar Airways Flights to USA

A special terminal will be opened at Doha International Airport for travellers to the US. The terminal aims to maintain a high level of security, while at the same time making it easier and faster for passengers to board their flights to the US. [1]

[edit] Codeshare partners

Qatar Airways office in the Houston Pavilions in Downtown Houston

[edit] 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, in its flight from London's Gatwick Airport to Doha.^[6] 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.^[7]

[edit] 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.^[8]
• 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).

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Qatar Airways

• Official website
• Qatar to Houston - Qatar Airways