Qatar Airways launches Dreamliner flights to London Heathrow

Qatar Airways launched its inaugural long-haul Boeing 787 Dreamliner operations between Doha and London Heathrow last week.

Initially, one of the airline’s five daily flights is being operated with the Boeing 787 – Flight QR 075 departing Doha at 06:25, arriving at London Heathrow at 11:05, with the return flight QR 076 departing London Heathrow at 15:05, arriving in Doha at 00:45 the following day. Qatar Airways took delivery of the first of 60 Dreamliners last month with the third 787 joining the airline’s fleet just days ago.

Since taking delivery of its first 787 four weeks ago, Qatar Airways has been flying the aircraft between Doha and both Dubai and Kuwait allowing cabin crew to familiarise themselves with the airplane.

“We will be introducing the Dreamliner on our daily Doha – Perth route from 1 February 2013, the first ever 787 commercial service to Australia giving travellers between the UK and Australia a unique 787 experience of unrivalled comfort and style all the way with the world’s Five Star and Best Airline,” said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker.

Qatar Airways has 254 custom-made seats across its 787 Business and Economy Class cabins with specially designed interiors. Business Class is configured 1–2–1 with 22 seats, while Economy has 232 seats in a 3-3-3 layout.

Special features of the 787 Dreamliner include larger windows, reduced cabin noise and cleaner cabin air, as well as smoother ride technology that is supposed to result in an eight-fold reduction in the number of passengers experiencing motion sickness.

This system senses turbulence and commands wing control surfaces to counter it, smoothing out the ride. Other features include lower cabin pressure at higher altitude ensuring less fatigue, an air purification system ensuring cleaner and healthier air, as well as mood lighting throughout the aircraft.