QATAR AIRWAYS SIGNS DEAL TO PROVIDE ON BOARD INTERNET CONNECTIVITY
(Posted 14th December 2015)
Qatar Airways earlier today announced an initial three year partnership with Ooredoo, a major global player in the telecommunications world, to provide internet services for passengers travelling on aircraft already enabled for in-flight connectivity.
Passengers travelling with Qatar Airways out of Entebbe, Kigali, Nairobi, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar need to find out from the local QR office if their Airbus A320 aircraft has been outfitted with the required transmission equipment.
The deal will allow all passengers on connected aircraft to roam the internet for up to 15 minutes for free, after which a nominal charge will apply. An extra hour will be charged at 5 US Dollars, three hours come at a price of 10 US Dollars and an entire flight will set a passenger back by 20 US Dollars. First Class passengers on the Airbus A380 will enjoy connectivity for free.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Mr. Akbar Al Baker said when announcing the deal: ‘Qatar Airways has always prided itself on delivering outstanding in-flight service, superior on-board products, and operational excellence for its passengers and today’s announcement is proof of this on-going commitment. We believe on-board shouldn’t mean off-line. As an ambitious and award-winning business we understand the need to stay connected whilst going places. By offering customers the chance to stay connected whilst flying, Qatar Airways is demonstrating its promise to offer a premium service to all customers. This partnership really reflects the values at the core of our new, recently unveiled, global brand positioning – ‘Going Places Together’ – and further underpins our commitment to offering the best to our customers’.
(From right to left: Sheikh Saud Bin Nasser Al Thani, Group CEO of Ooredoo; Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive; H.E. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Ooredoo; Mr. Waleed Al Sayed, CEO Ooredoo Qatar; Mr. Yousef Abdulla Al Kubaisi, COO Ooredoo Qatar and Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Thani, Chief New Business Officer Ooredoo)
Today’s announcement is a continuation of the premium travel experience offered through all touch points with the airline and reaffirms its position as Skytrax Airline of the Year. Ooredoo is known for providing world-class communication and with Qatar Airways they will be connecting passengers with loved ones, work, news and insights whilst they travel, whether for business or for pleasure. Currently the service is available across all connected aircraft and Qatar Airways plans to connect more planes in the near future.
On-board Wi-Fi is part of Qatar Airways’ state-of-the-art communications system available on all A380, A350, B787, A319, and select A320 and A330 aircraft. Qatar Airways’ new state-of-the-art hub airport, Hamad International, already offers guests in transit, prior to departure and on arrival free Wi-Fi throughout.
