QATAR AIRWAYS ANNOUNCES NEW ALL BUSINESS CLASS A319 SERVICE TO LONDON
(Posted 19th February 2014)
Qatar Airways yesterday announced the introduction of a dedicated business class only service from Doha to London, using an Airbus A319 with just 40 seats in a 2×2 configuration. Commencing on the 15th of May, this unique service will cater for the growing number of premium travelers from across Eastern Africa who chose to fly with Qatar Airways from any of their destinations in the region, Entebbe and Kigali, Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro and of course Nairobi, from where daily and multiple daily flights, all operated on Airbus A320 equipment, connect to Doha. The new service will bring weekly departures from Doha to London to 42 overall, i.e. raise capacity from 5 flights a day to 6 flights a day, underscoring the importance of the UK’s capital city for trade and tourism visitors from around the world.
(Interior of the Qatar Airways Airbus A319, configured in an all Business Class layout)
The airline’s CEO, Akbar Al Baker, had this to say when announcing Qatar Airways’ latest innovation: ‘Today’s announcement reaffirms Qatar Airways’ determination to continue its expansion drive by improving an already superior in-flight product. The airline goes to great lengths to consider passenger convenience and comfort at every step of their journey. The Doha – London Heathrow route is one of Qatar Airways’ most popular international routes and it was only fitting that we introduce an all Business Class service on this key route, where customers will also be able to benefit from our new Qatar Airways premium lounge in London Heathrow’s terminal four, and of course the Premium Terminal in Doha’.
Related to this development has Qatar Airways been awarded the World’s Best Business Class Airline for 2013 and has also twice been the recipient of the Airline of the Year Award in 2011 and 2012 at the prestigious Skytrax Airline Awards. The airline was named as ‘Best Long-Haul Airline’ for the second year running and ‘Business Airline of the Year’ at the high profile UK Business Travel Awards 2014 recently held in London.
Qatar Airways’ new A319 Business Class seat will arguably have the highest specifications for business class travel of any scheduled airline with flat bed seats that recline fully and state of the art Oryx entertainment system which offers more than 900 entertainment options – movies, television, video games and music.
Passengers can also remain in touch with their friends and of course their businesses on the ground through the SMS mobile texting GSM and GPRS service available on this aircraft, offering the amenities of a private jet at ordinary business class fares for those traveling between London and Doha.
Qatar Airways is expected to move soon to their new hub airport, Hamad International, where a new level of services and standards will await connecting passengers but in particular those who are travelling in Business Class and on selected services out of Doha in First Class.
Qatar Airways is also expecting the delivery of their first Airbus A380 within the next few weeks, raising the bar once more with what has been described as an exceptionally spacious cabin environment with less seats per row than any other competitor. Watch this space for breaking and regular aviation news.
