Just a few months after launching flights to Perth, Qatar Airways is set to be the world’s first airline to operate scheduled Boeing 787 flights to and from Australia early next year.
Qatar Airways’ first long-haul Boeing 787 Australian commercial service will begin operations on February 1, 2013, connecting passengers from Perth to Doha and onwards to many destinations including London Heathrow which this week will have a Boeing 787 on the route.
Qatar Airways’ 787 Dreamliner debut on the Perth route is set to make it the first worldwide airline to operate regular scheduled flights to and from Australia with Boeing’s next
generation aircraft.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar al-Baker said passengers travelling to and from Australia will have the opportunity to travel onboard one of the most sophisticated, spacious and comfortable
aircraft in the skies.
“Our Perth route was launched in July with three flights a week, but we stepped up capacity at the beginning of this month to daily and soon we will deploy our new Boeing 787 on the route which demonstrates the confidence that we have in this relatively new market for us,” said
al-Baker.
“From Perth, passengers are able to easily connect via Doha to over 80 destinations worldwide, including over 30 in Europe such as London Heathrow which from this week will see Qatar Airways flying a Boeing 787 on one of its five daily flights.
“From February, we will be able to offer the UK and western Australian markets a single 787 product all the way giving our passengers a whole new long-haul experience on the world’s newest aircraft. We are delighted with today’s announcement, providing our Australian passengers with an unparalleled service onboard the most talked-about aircraft in the world today.
“In just two-day’s time as we inaugurate our 787 on the London Heathrow route, Qatar Airways is firmly on the global aviation map as a carrier with a determination to continue its expansion drive and improve an already superior in-flight product,” he added.
Qatar Airways took delivery of the first of 60 Dreamliners last month with the third 787 joining Qatar Airways’ fleet just days ago. The Dreamliner marks the start of an exciting new era for travellers worldwide with unparalleled levels of comfort and luxury onboard Boeing’s next generation aircraft.
“The carrier’s new addition to its fleet also heralds a fresh era for Middle East aviation with it being the Boeing 787 launch customer in the region. With more 787s being inducted into our fleet over the next year, further route launches and our move to a brand new international airport in Doha in 2013, Qatar Airways continues to look forward to another year of exciting developments,” he added.
Over the next few weeks and months, Qatar Airways will launch services to a diverse portfolio of new routes, including Gassim, Saudi Arabia (7 January 2013); Najaf, Iraq (January 23); Phnom Penh, Cambodia (February 20); Chengdu, China (March 19); Chicago, USA (April 10); and Salalah, Oman (May 22).
The Doha – Perth Boeing 787 Dreamliner schedules, effective February 1:
Daily: Depart Doha QR900 at 0130 hrs, arrive Perth at 1720 hrs; Depart Perth QR901 at 2245 hrs, arrive Doha at 0510 hrs
Connections to London Heathrow:
Depart Doha QR075 at 0625 hrs, arrive London 1105 hrs; Depart London QR076 at 1505 hrs, arrive Doha 0045 hrs
following day.