Qatar Airways has announced the launch of a new daily all premium Business Class service from Doha to London. The new service will be the first of its kind in the Middle East, commencing from 15 May 2014, with an Airbus A319 aircraft fitted with an all Business Class, single aisle, 2–2 seating configuration offering 40 seats.
The airline currently operates five daily flights to London Heathrow and the additional sixth all Business Class daily service marks the start of a new service to and from the UK. The new additional flight will step up frequency on the Doha – London Heathrow route from 35 to 42 weekly services.
Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker said: “Today’s announcement reaffirms our determination to continue the expansion drive by improving an already superior in-flight product. The Doha – London Heathrow route is one of our most popular international routes and it was only fitting that we introduce an all Business Class service on this key route.”
The airline has a modern fleet of 129 aircraft flying to 134 key business and leisure destinations across six continents. As part of its aggressive expansion programme, Qatar Airways will launch routes to eight new destinations during 2014: Sharjah from 1 March; Dubai World Central from 1 March; Philadelphia from 2 April; Larnaca from 29 April; Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport from 22 May; Edinburgh from 28 May; Miami from 10 June and Dallas/Fort Worth from 1 July.
