When you think of airline achievements over the past few years, Qatar Airways is a front-and-centre stand-out. Not only for their high service standards, aviation innovation, and countless awards but for being one of the few airlines to bring thousands of stranded Australians home during the pandemic.
Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence this year, Qatar Airways has proven time and again that they are here to serve Australians (and the rest of the world).
We take you through 25 impressive years of Qatar Airways’ highlights.
It All Started with a Vision
It takes vision, dedication, and a ton of gumption to start an airline. Thankfully, in 1997, His Highness the Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani began outlining how to make his dream of turning Qatar Airways into a recognised and respected international carrier. It was his vision that pivoted Qatar Airways (founded in 1993) to lead with its top-level service standards and commitment to excellence.
It’s unreal to consider that Qatar Airways started with only two aircraft (Airbus A310s); today, they have an in-service fleet of more than 230! The Qatar Airways fleet transports nearly six million passengers – plus a ton of cargo – across the globe.
Ahead of the Curve
Along with top-notch service standards and a focus on excellence, leading through innovation has been a Qatar Airways commitment. In 2007, they boldly placed an order for the next-gen A350 airplane, becoming the launch customer for this aircraft type in 2014.
Given the propulsion of the Qatar Airways brand and, in turn, its rapidly expanding fleet, the airline was quick to grow its global footprint. Now, they serve over 140 destinations worldwide, including five destinations across Australia, currently: Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Team Work Makes the Dream Work
While Qatar Airways’ superb flight attendants gain the most recognition for their friendly service, they are only one part of the massive team that helps the airline serve (and win countless awards). There are currently 50,000 staff working for Qatar Airways, all tirelessly committed to Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s vision.
In 2013, Qatar Airways extended their family by joining oneworld. This was a significant partnership, as QR became the first major Gulf carrier to join an airline alliance.
Home is Where the Heart Is
A part of the overall Airways experience for many Australians is the time spent in transit in Doha. The move to the award-winning Hamad International Airport in 2014 elevated the transit experience thanks to the airport’s plethora of facilities and services. These include a Sleep ‘n’ Fly Lounge, 100 duty-free shops, 30 restaurants and cafes, plus showers, spa facilities, prayer rooms, and more.
Skytrax crowned Hamad International Airport as the “Best Airport in the World” in 2021. They beat out hub rivals like Singapore, Seoul Incheon, and Dubai.
Open for Business
When it launched in 2017, Qatar Airways Qsuite business class was one of the most talked-about airline additions of the year. Launched on the Boeing 777-300ER, Qsuite has been lauded for its spacious private seats, in-flight storage options, mood lighting, premium culinary offerings, and, of course, the exemplary in-flight service. It’s no wonder Qsuite has received numerous accolades, including “World’s Best Business Class”.
Attention-Grabbing; Award-winning
The entire airline industry had no choice but to pay attention to what Qatar Airways brought to international skies because it didn’t take them long to begin receiving awards and accolades over their 25 years of operation. Due to their commitment to service, value, and reliability, QR has netted a tidy collection of Skytrax ‘Airline of the Year’ awards (a record six times), including the most recent one in 2021!
Continually Serving Australians
One of the most recently memorable ways that Qatar Airways has stood out from the airline pack has been during the pandemic. Thanks to the airline’s commitment to remaining in the air, they have been the heroes of our skies, repatriating thousands of Australians, ensuring they made it home safely to their loved ones. They have also been consistently praised for their COVID-safe standards, even receiving a Skytrax 5-star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating along with a Diamond Safety in APEX Health Safety recognition.
As Australia reconnects with the rest of the world, booking with an airline that has a proven commitment to weathering adversity will no doubt significantly assist in rebuilding consumer confidence for our industry. Something we can all agree that’s needed. Qatar Airways’ current COVID policies include guaranteed flexibility for travel completed by the 30th September 2022. Discover all QR’s flexi-travel options here.
Discover More Qatar Airways
So, congratulations Qatar Airways on upholding your standards and vision so consistently. We cannot wait to report on 25 more years of your aviation accomplishments.
To discover more of how Qatar Airways serves your clients (and you), head to their trade portal now.
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