QATAR AIRWAYS TAKES DELIVERY OF ITS 24TH AND 25TH BOEING 787 DREAMLINERS

Ceremony held at Boeing’s Everett Delivery Center in Seattle

SEATTLE, USA – Qatar Airways took delivery of its 24th and 25th Boeing 787 Dreamliners yesterday in a ceremony at Boeing’s production facility in Everett, United States.

As the Middle East launch customer for the Boeing 787, Qatar Airways received its first Dreamliner in November 2012. Since then the airline has continued to expand as one of the world’s fastest growing airlines and it now flies to more than 150 destinations, with its fleet of Dreamliners serving 30 of those global destinations, including Amsterdam, Casablanca, Cape Town, Rome, and Tokyo Haneda.

“Qatar Airways was the Middle East launch customer for the Dreamliner back in 2012, and it is certainly a milestone to accept our 24th and 25th 787s into our fleet today,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker.

“This year we have launched six new destinations in our expanding global network and these 787s will enable even more of our passengers to experience the genuine difference offered by travelling in one of the world’s latest aircraft. The larger windows with custom dimmers, the lower altitude cabin pressure with rapid air circulation, and the very latest in IFE and seat technology all provide our passengers with the five-star experience that they have come to expect from us as one of the world’s leading airlines.

“Before the end of the year, we will also add two more destinations to our network, including Durban in South Africa, and next year we will launch services to Los Angeles in January, Sydney and Boston in March, Adelaide in May, and Atlanta in June, as well a double daily frequency to New York – all of which will enable more of our passengers to experience our award-winning services on the world’s very latest aircraft, such as our new Dreamliners.”

“We are proud that the 787 is playing an important role in the rapid expansion of Qatar Airways’ network and serving international routes including long haul destinations,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. The Dreamliner helps the airline to meet its operational goals, while at the same time providing an unrivalled on-board experience for its passengers.”

Qatar Airways will fly its 25th Dreamliner directly to its home in Doha, the State of Qatar, and then on to the Dubai Airshow where it will be on display.

Qatar Airways is one of the world’s fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the sky, with 168 aircraft with an average age of under four years.

Made up of composite materials, the 787 Dreamliner is lighter and more fuel-efficient than any comparable aircraft of its size and range, and has unique features such as larger windows, reduced cabin noise and cleaner cabin air.

Qatar Airways 787 has 254 custom-made seats across its 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. All seats in Business Class are fully reclinable.

The airline’s 787s are the world’s first fully connected Dreamliners with wireless facilities for passengers to remain in touch with friends and colleagues on the ground through the internet and SMS mobile texting across both the Business and Economy cabins.