Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Qatar Airways supported Manchester United Football Club for the Middle East Opus launch of the ultimate collection of memorabilia celebrating the history of the richest soccer club in the world.
The Manchester United Opus - a grand 800-page limited edition book weighing 35kg - recounts the club’s history, featuring exclusive ground-breaking editorial, including interviews with soccer greats, past and present.
Qatar Airways was proud to welcome a host of sporting celebrities to Dubai for the launch at the Burj Al Arab followed by a Gala Dinner at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Guests who flew Qatar Airways included Manchester United soccer legend Sir Bobby Charlton, former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, ex-captain Bryan Robson and British TV host Angus Deayton.
Former England soccer coach Sven Goran Erikkson, ex-World Boxing Champion Chris Eubank and model Caprice were also present at the star-studded event.
Only 10,000 copies of the Opus, which contains 2,000 photographs, have been printed with part of the proceeds going towards charity. The very first Opus, signed by the current Manchester United first team squad, will be auctioned off early next year in aid of UNICEF.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: "Qatar Airways is proud to be associated with the launch of the Manchester United Opus, the first-of-its-kind which captures the club’s historic moments. It is an association of pure excellence linking a quality soccer club with a quality airline."
Qatar Airways Senior Manager Commercial Operations Ali Al Rais, commented: "We were excited to have players and officials from Manchester United travel on Qatar Airways for this very special occasion. They had a taste of our award-winning service from Manchester and London to Dubai through Doha."
Qatar Airways currently operates a fleet of 52 aircraft to 70 online destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Far East and Indian subcontinent from Doha, the airline’s hub and capital of the State of Qatar. Together with codeshare partners, Qatar Airways serves more than 90 cities worldwide.
Qatar Airways is one of only four airlines in the world with a Five Star ranking for service excellence awarded by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry monitoring agency.
Skytrax also named Qatar Airways’ cabin crew best in the Middle East for the fourth year running in 2006 and second best in the world, while the airline’s global rankings rose to an admirable fifth best. Qatar Airways plans to more than double its fleet size to 110 aircraft by 2015.
About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is proud to be Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 150 business and leisure destinations.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways has been awarded World’s Best Airline, World's Best Business Class; Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax.
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.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 3,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways sponsors world-leading sports teams including FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia FC reflecting 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 international 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