DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways celebrated capacity increases across its global network this weekend, as three of the airline’s destinations received upgraded aircraft commencing 1 July, the same day upon which the world’s best airline also inaugurated its new route offering to Marrakesh with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Guangzhou (China), Geneva (Switzerland) and Warsaw (Poland), all received new aircraft types on their respective daily flights from Doha’s Hamad International Airport, in recognition of continued demand for Qatar Airways service, operated by the world’s newest aircraft types and expanding fleet.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: ““Qatar Airways is delighted to enhance the aircraft that serve the important destinations of Guangzhou, Geneva and Warsaw, almost doubling the daily capacity across all of these routes from Doha’s Hamad International Airport. This is testament to our commitment to provide our passengers with the greatest comfort on board the world’s most modern and efficient aircraft, while illustrating our confidence in the popularity of these cities as a place to visit and do business.”

The inaugural A380 flight to Guangzhou was met with a warm welcome as it touched down for the first time and now represents the airline’s fouth A380 destination, after Bangkok, London and Paris. Qatar Airways became the first Middle East airline to fly to Guangzhou in 2008 with a Boeing 777.

The A380 is spread across twin decks in a tri-class configuration of eight seats in First Class, 48 seats in Business Class and 461 in Economy Class and will serve Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, the third busiest airport in China, and the city of Guangzhou on the Pearl River Delta, home to 57 million people.

Qatar Airways also commenced its second Boeing 787 Dreamliner service to Switzerland this weekend as the inaugural Dreamliner flight to Geneva touched down was greeted by a water cannon salute, witnessed by gathered media and senior representatives from Qatar Airways and Geneva Airport. The route was previously operated by an Airbus A320, while daily flights to Zurich already operate with the Dreamliner.

The Qatar Airways Dreamliner operates a two-cabin configuration, comprising of 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class. All seats include individual television screens, with Economy Class customers benefitting from a screen 10.6 inches wide, offering the latest inflight entertainment comprised of up to 3,000 options, complemented by the airline’s award-winning service.

Qatar Airways also welcomed the expansion of its service from Doha to Warsaw this weekend as a new wide-body service to Warsaw Chopin Airport commenced operation. The route was previously operated with the Airbus A320 aircraft.

The increase in demand for travel to and from the country and the airline’s steadfast commitment to the Polish market resulted in the introduction of the 260 seat A330 aircraft on the daily flight.

Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 19 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 186 aircraft to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations worldwide.

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Notes to Editors:

Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 19th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 186 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents. Qatar Airways won Airline of the Year, Best Business Class Airline Seat and Best Airline in the Middle East at the 2015 Skytrax Awards. This is the third time the airline won the accolade of Airline of the Year.

Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.

In 2015 Qatar Airways launched Oryx One, an enhanced interface for its inflight entertainment system, increasing the number of movies and TV shows on board from 950 to up to 3,000. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 as well as select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the five-star airline’s on-board Wifi and GSM service.

Qatar Airways is one of the world’s leaders in sponsoring global sporting events, including the strategic team sponsorships of FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia FC. Qatar Airways’ strategy reflects the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message - Going Places Together.

Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest cargo carrier, serves more than 50 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally on 186 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet now includes eight Airbus 330Fs, nine Boeing 777 freighters and two Boeing 747 freighters.

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