Airline will offer a unique dining experience in the skies and on the ground
National carrier is committed to supporting Qatari nationals through its Al Darb Qatarisation Programme
DOHA, Qatar - Qatar Airways is proud to celebrate Qatar National Day by creating special moments inspired by Qatari culture and local traditions on board and at Hamad International Airport’s Al Mourjan Business Lounge.
Qatar National Day commemorates the founding of the State of Qatar on 18 December 1878 by Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, under whom Qatar became a single, coherent nation and an independent, unified country.
On flights from Doha, all passengers will be taken on a journey of flavours with Qatari cuisine, a limited- edition menu card representing the iconic Qatar National Museum and a dessert inspired by the renowned desert rose. On select flights, passengers in premium cabins will be treated to traditional Arabic coffee and dates, and will also receive a commemorative magnet as a keepsake.
In celebration of Qatar National Day, the airline has also introduced bespoke touches at the Al Mourjan Business Lounge at Hamad International Airport. Upon arriving to the lounge, passengers will be welcomed with Arabic coffee and dates and will enjoy decorations of white and burgundy roses, which resemble the colours of the national flag of Qatar. When passengers are ready to dine, they can taste an array of main dishes and desserts from the buffet or à-la-carte menu that take inspiration from local Qatari cuisine.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Despite the ongoing global pandemic and disruption across the world, we are delighted to be celebrating Qatar National Day, and offering our passengers a variety of special offerings and arrangements on board and on the ground. This precious occasion gives us the opportunity to celebrate together as one nation, demonstrating our pride to our beloved home, the State of Qatar.”
In addition to Qatar Airways’ on board and lounge activities, Hamad International Airport will be dressed with the Qatar National Day slogan and flags. Qatar Duty Free will also bring the flavours of the country to customers with Qatari-inspired dishes using local ingredients at Harrods Tea Room – the menu includes Qatari farmed seabass, machboos, slow cooked braised lamb shank, spring chicken, orange basboosa, saffron cake and rose umali, along with afternoon tea.
The wider Qatar Airways Group will be celebrating the occasion of Qatar National Day with a range of digital-led activities for its employees around the world. The Qatari flag will also be displayed across the façade of the airline’s Doha-based buildings.
The airline is committed to the development of young Qataris through its Al Darb Qatarisation Programme. Al Darb is a Qatari word that means ‘The Pathway’, and highlights the different paths that individuals can take with Qatar Airways through initiatives such as its Summer Internship Programme and Graduate Developee Programme. With a total of eight Al Darb programmes, national students and graduates are provided with real-life projects that add to their work experience and prepare them for a successful career with the national carrier of the State of Qatar. Nationals are an important pillar as the airline further establishes efforts to support the Qatar National Vision 2030 towards a sustainable Qatar.
Qatar’s national vision aims that by 2030, the nation will become an advanced society capable of sustaining its development and providing a high standard of living for its people.
Throughout 2020, the Qatar Airways Group was proud to play a role in supporting the State of Qatar’s successful efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 within the country, working closely with the local authorities including the Ministry of Public Health to implement new safety measures and comply with government directives.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’, and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. It is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times.
Notes to Editors:
About Qatar Airways:
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. Qatar Airways is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times.
Hamad International Airport (HIA), the airline’s home and hub, was recently ranked “Third Best Airport in the World”, among 550 airports worldwide, by the SKYTRAX World Airport Awards 2020. Rising from fourth position in 2019 to third in 2020, HIA has been steadily rising in the ‘World's Best Airports’ rankings since the start of its operations in 2014. In addition, HIA was voted the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for the sixth year in a row and ‘Best Staff Service in the Middle East’ for the fifth year in a row.
Qsuite, a patented Qatar Airways product, features the industry’s first-ever double bed in Business Class, as well as privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room, a first of its kind in the industry.
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 160 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 4,000 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, B777, 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, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM, 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, one of the world’s leading international air cargo carriers, serves more than 60 freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight in the belly-hold of passenger aircraft to an extensive global network. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes two Boeing 747-8 freighters, 21 Boeing 777 freighters and four Airbus A330 freighters.
Qatar Executive is the private jet charter division of Qatar Airways Group. Luxury jet services are available for worldwide charter on board the operator’s wholly-owned business jet fleet. Qatar Executive is the launch customer for Gulfstream’s G700, the world’s first commercial service operator of the Gulfstream G500 and largest commercial operator of the G650ER worldwide. Qatar Executive's service portfolio also includes aircraft management, maintenance and Fixed Based Operator services.
For further information, please contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200