Qatar Airways History
Qatar Airways is the national airline of the State of Qatar and one of the aviation industry’s big success stories. It was established by the government of Qatar on November 22, 1993, and operations began on January 20, 1994. The airline was a small regional carrier serving a handful of routes.
In 1997, the airline was re-launched under the mandate of His Highness The Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Since then, Qatar Airways has grown to become one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world. In 2011, it was named Airline of the Year by Skytrax Airline Global Industry Audit.
Today, Qatar Airways operates a fleet of more than 200 aircraft, serving over 170 destinations worldwide. The airline is known for its luxurious service, state-of-the-art aircraft, and award-winning in-flight entertainment system. Qatar Airways is also a founding member of the oneworld alliance, which includes some of the world’s leading airlines.
Fleet Overview
Qatar Airways has one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the world, with an average aircraft age of approximately five years. The airline operates a mix of narrow-body and wide-body Airbus and Boeing variants that serve a range of short, medium, long-haul, and ultra long-haul international customer and cargo routes.
As of July 2023, Qatar Airways has a fleet of 239 aircraft, comprising 49 Airbus A320 family, 48 Airbus A350 XWB, 10 Airbus A380, 2 Boeing 747-8, 30 Boeing 777, and 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airline also has an order backlog of 100 aircraft, including 60 Airbus A321neo, 20 Boeing 777X, and 20 Boeing 737 MAX.
The airline’s flagship aircraft is the Airbus A380, which features a three-class configuration with First, Business, and Economy cabins. The airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner, on the other hand, features a two-class configuration with Business and Economy cabins. Qatar Airways also offers a luxurious Qsuite on its Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft, which features a fully lie-flat bed, a personal entertainment system, and a privacy screen.
Overall, Qatar Airways’ modern and diverse fleet enables the airline to offer a comfortable and seamless travel experience to its passengers, while also allowing it to efficiently serve a wide range of destinations across the globe.
In-Flight Services
Qatar Airways offers a range of in-flight services to make your journey comfortable and enjoyable. Here are some of the key features of their in-flight services.
Cabin Classes
Qatar Airways offers three cabin classes – Economy, Business, and First Class. Each cabin class is designed to provide maximum comfort and convenience to passengers. The Economy Class offers comfortable seats with ample legroom, while the Business Class offers lie-flat seats and access to the airline’s lounge. The First Class offers private suites with flat beds and a personal entertainment system.
In-Flight Entertainment
Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system, Oryx One, offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, music, and games. Passengers can choose from over 4,000 entertainment options, including the latest Hollywood blockbusters and popular TV shows. The system is available on all flights, and passengers can access it through their personal screens.
Catering Services
Qatar Airways offers a range of catering services to suit different dietary requirements and preferences. Passengers can choose from a variety of meals, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and low-fat options. The airline also offers a range of snacks and beverages throughout the flight. In addition, passengers can pre-order their meals before the flight through the airline’s website.
Qatar Airways Destinations
Qatar Airways offers flights to over 160 destinations worldwide, including Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania. Some of the most popular destinations include London, Paris, New York, Bangkok, and Sydney.
Qatar Airways’ hub is Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, which serves as a gateway to the Middle East. From there, passengers can connect to destinations in other parts of the world.
In addition to its regular destinations, Qatar Airways also operates charter flights and cargo services to various locations. The airline is committed to expanding its network and regularly adds new destinations to its route map.
Passengers flying with Qatar Airways can enjoy a range of amenities, including in-flight entertainment, comfortable seating, and delicious dining options. The airline also offers a frequent flyer program, Privilege Club, which allows members to earn and redeem miles for flights, upgrades, and other benefits.
Frequent Flyer Program – Privilege Club
Privilege Club is Qatar Airways’ frequent flyer program that rewards loyal passengers with exclusive benefits and privileges. As a member of Privilege Club, you can earn Qmiles – the program’s currency – every time you fly with Qatar Airways or any of its partner airlines. You can then redeem your Qmiles for award flights, upgrades, or other benefits.
There are four tiers in the Privilege Club program: Burgundy, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The higher your tier, the more benefits you’ll receive. For example, Gold and Platinum members get access to Qatar Airways’ luxurious lounges and can enjoy extra baggage allowances.
In addition to earning Qmiles through flights, you can also earn them by using Qatar Airways’ partner services, such as car rentals, hotels, and credit cards. You can also transfer Qmiles to family and friends, making it easier to plan trips together.
Overall, Privilege Club is a great way to enhance your travel experience with Qatar Airways and enjoy exclusive benefits as a frequent flyer.
Qatar Airways Awards and Recognition
Qatar Airways has received numerous awards and recognition for its exceptional service, innovation, and commitment to excellence.
In 2021, the airline was named Airline of the Year by AirlineRatings for the second time in three years. Qatar Airways also won the Best Middle East Airline, Best Catering, and Best Business Class awards. This recognition is a testament to the airline’s commitment to providing exceptional service to its customers.
Additionally, Qatar Airways has been awarded the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards for seven consecutive years, from 2011 to 2022. The airline has been recognized for its outstanding customer service, onboard experience, and product offerings. Skytrax also awarded Qatar Airways’ hub, Hamad International Airport, as the World’s Best Airport in 2021.
Qatar Airways has also been recognized for its sustainability efforts, winning the Air Transport World Eco-Airline of the Year award in 2020. The airline has implemented numerous initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable travel, including investing in fuel-efficient aircraft and reducing single-use plastics onboard.
Overall, Qatar Airways’ numerous awards and recognition reflect its commitment to providing exceptional service and innovation in the airline industry.
Partnerships and Alliances
Qatar Airways has formed strategic partnerships with leading airlines, banks, and hotels to provide its passengers with a seamless travel experience. Through these partnerships, passengers can earn and redeem rewards, enjoy exclusive benefits, and access a wider range of destinations.
Oneworld Alliance
Qatar Airways is a proud member of the Oneworld Alliance, a global network of 13 world-leading airlines committed to providing the highest level of service and connecting passengers to over 1,000 destinations worldwide. As a member of the Oneworld Alliance, Qatar Airways passengers can enjoy a range of benefits, including lounge access, priority boarding, and seamless connections.
Qatar Airways has also expanded its partnership with JetBlue, increasing connectivity to and from the U.S. Sales have commenced with the additional codeshare flights starting from 19 April 2021 between the U.S. and Doha and 1 May 2021 for destinations beyond Doha. Additionally, Qatar Airways has formed a partnership with Malaysia Airlines, expanding its network to include new destinations in Southeast Asia.
Through its partnerships and alliances, Qatar Airways continues to provide its passengers with unparalleled access to the world’s most exciting destinations, while offering a seamless travel experience that is second to none.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Qatar Airways is committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and has implemented several initiatives to support local and international communities. The airline works with local non-profit organizations in Qatar on various projects, including a medical center in Pakistan with Qatar Charity. Qatar Airways Cargo has launched a new chapter of its sustainability program, WeQare: Rewild the Planet, focused on transporting endangered animals back to their natural habitat, free of charge. In May 2021, Qatar Airways Cargo helped rehome seven rescued lions from Ukraine to South Africa.
The airline’s commitment to environmental sustainability is also evident in its efforts to address global environmental challenges. Qatar Airways has achieved the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) certification, which recognizes airlines’ efforts to manage and reduce their environmental impact. The airline has also implemented measures to reduce its carbon footprint, such as investing in fuel-efficient aircraft and adopting sustainable practices across its operations.
In addition to its CSR initiatives, Qatar Airways has also been recognized for its commitment to social responsibility. The airline has won several awards for its outstanding corporate social responsibility efforts, including the “Best CSR Program” award at the 2021 Aviation Business Awards and the “CSR Initiative of the Year” award at the 2021 Transport Arabia Awards.
Career Opportunities at Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world, and it offers a wide range of career opportunities in various fields. The airline values diversity and inclusivity and provides a supportive work environment for all its employees.
The airline offers career opportunities in the following areas:
- Cabin Crew
- Engineering
- Flight Operations
- Ground Services
- Information Technology
- Sales and Marketing
- And more
Qatar Airways provides its employees with comprehensive training and development programs to help them grow and succeed in their careers. The airline also offers competitive compensation packages and benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and travel benefits.
To apply for a career at Qatar Airways, candidates can visit the airline’s careers website and search for available job openings. The website provides detailed information about the job requirements and application process.
Joining Qatar Airways provides an opportunity to work for a world-class airline and be part of a team that is committed to providing exceptional customer service and experiences.