Qatar Airways celebrates more than 10 years of service to New York

Qatar Airways recently hosted a private VIP gala dinner with influential business leaders and political dignitaries to celebrate more than a decade of the award-winning airline’s successful service to New York City at the historical and renowned venue Cipriani.

The glamorous evening was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, along with many prominent business and cultural leaders, including Permanent Representative of State of Qatar to The UN, Sheikha Alya Al Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States, Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani and Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Investment Authority, Mansoor Al Mahmoud.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said: “Congratulations to Qatar Airways on its 10th anniversary connecting the United States from The State of Qatar. Qatar Airways is a model of what is possible when excellence and determination are the goals. The airline’s philosophy of bringing people together, providing the right for all to travel is more important than ever. Qatar Airways provides a way for Americans and Qataris to travel and offers jobs for thousands of families, helping to grow the economies of both nations.”

At the gala event, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said: “Tonight is an exciting one for Qatar Airways, as it is a celebration of more than a decade of serving the people of the United States. We have a very special relationship with the people of New York, as it was our first gateway into this country just over 10 years ago. We are also very proud of the contribution we have made, and continue to make to the US economy as a large portion of American-made aircraft in our fleet are testament to the faith we have in American products.

“We also continue to develop strong relationships with our US partners including JetSuite, Boeing, G.E. and Gulfstream. Tonight we reaffirm our commitment to build on the strong relationship we have already established here in the US, and to continue to expand our presence here, offering an outstanding product and providing even more choice for US travellers.”

In October, Qatar Airways became the Official Global Airline Partner of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and the team’s home, Barclays Center, the Brooklyn, New York venue that hosts many of the world’s most exciting entertainment and sporting events. This marks the first major partnership between the airline and an NBA team or venue.

Qatar Airways’ A350-1000, the world’s most technologically advanced passenger aircraft, landed in New York in October 2018, marking the airline’s first US route to operate commercial flights on the ultra-modern aircraft. The five-star airline is the global launch customer for the innovative A350-1000 aircraft, the latest member of the Airbus wide-body aircraft portfolio. The aircraft offers enhanced levels of passenger comfort, thanks to the lowest twin-engine noise level of any aircraft, advanced air conditioning technology and full LED mood lighting.

In December 2017, the award-winning airline launched the ground-breaking Qsuite on direct flights to New York. Qsuite features the industry’s first-ever double bed available in Business Class, with privacy panels that stow away, so that passengers in adjoining seats can create their own private room. Adjustable panels and movable TV monitors on the centre four seats let colleagues, friends or families travelling together to transform their space into a private suite, allowing them to work, dine and socialise together. These new features provide the ultimate customisable travel experience that enables passengers to create an environment that suits their own unique needs.

Qatar Airways’ first flight to the US was to John F. Kennedy International Airport on 28 June 2007. Currently, the award-winning airline operates two daily direct flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Hamad International Airport.

The multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Business Class’ by the 2018 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Business Class Seat’, ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge’.

One of the world’s fastest-growing airlines, Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft flying to over 160 business and leisure destinations across six continents. The airline plans to launch a host of new destinations before the end of 2018, including Gothenburg, Sweden; Mombasa, Kenya; and Da Nang, Vietnam.