QATAR AIRWAYS’ LATEST BIRD TAKES FLIGHT TO FRANKFURT
(Posted 15th January 2015)
(Qatar Airways’ and the world’s first Airbus A350XWB registered as A7-ALA)
News in from Doha confirmed that Qatar Airways’ flight QR 67 to Frankfurt has taken off with a full load of passengers on board at 08.07 hrs local time and was given an ETA for Frankfurt at 11.57 hrs local time, making aviation history. This is the first ever commercial flight of the world’s latest and most advanced passenger jet, the Airbus A350XWB, which will bring operators of this aircraft type savings of up to 25 percent over conventional wide bodied aircraft presently in use.
Powered by two Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines (84.000 pounds of thrust each), the most advanced jet engine in the world at the moment, is this state of the art aircraft thought to be a game changer, in terms of operating economics and also in terms of comfort in the air.
Revealed to the world at large during a colourful ceremony at the Qatar Airways Executive Terminal, which is located at the ‘old airport’ of Doha, has Airbus’ latest aircraft today entered commercial service, the first in Qatar Airways colours with 79 additional orders awaiting delivery.
(The massive nose gear of the A350XWB seen close up and personal a week ago in Doha and the uniquely shaped curved winglets which help to reduce the fuel burn)
Configured in a two class layout with 36 of the most advanced flatbed seats found in any business class, with only four seats abreast in a 1 x 2 x 1 fishbone setting, and 247 seats in economy class, which with 18 inches are the widest on the market will this aircraft offer unprecedented space on board, which combined with superior catering and award winning inflight entertainment is sure to have introduced a winning formula to the Qatar Airways fleet.
(Track this and many other flights via https://flightaware.com/live/flight/QTR67)
In a related development has Qatar Airways yesterday also announced two additional services, which will make the airline’s appeal even greater, with travelers and with cargo shippers.
An A330F, the so called ‘Pharma Express’ will from 28th of January onwards operate two weekly services from the Swiss city of Basel, dedicated to load pharmaceuticals from the city’s predominant industry. The precious cargo will be flown via Doha to any point in the world with but one stop enroute, ensuring that urgent medication reaches hospitals, patients and emergency centres without any delay. The flight originates in Brussels, where equally a large number of pharmaceutical and bio-engineering companies are at home, combining two key centres for healthcare products. The cargo will be shipped in specially designed containers ensuring constant temperature and humidity levels. Transit at the Hamad International Airport from the originating flight to the onward service will be by air-conditioned, purpose built trucks to ensure the cold chain remains uninterrupted, especially during the hot summer months.
At the same time did the airline announce the launch of direct flights to Sofia, which will be de-linked from the current routing via Bucharest come March this year. Also upped will be the number of flights, from presently five to six, from Doha to the Turkish capital city of Ankara from 01st of March, while Zagreb flights will see the addition of an extra flight making it 5 per week.
Qatar Airways passengers from the Eastern African destinations of Entebbe, Kigali, Nairobi, Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam with final destination Frankfurt now have the choice to either opt for the A350XWB service QR 067 or else fly on QR 69 which for the time being will be operated with a B787 Dreamliner, until the next A350 is delivered to Qatar Airways, then allowing both daily flights from Doha to Frankfurt to be operated with this revolutionary new plane.
