From Fortune:
https://fortune.com/2023/06/03/qatar-airways-ceo-says-first-class-pointless-on-next-gen-aircraft/
Qatar Airways has announced a codeshare agreement with Air Seychelles, the flag carrier of the Republic of Seychelles, allowing passengers on both networks seamless travel to one of the world’s most exotic and unique destinations.
Qatar Airways serves over 160 destinations worldwide and connects travellers from Africa, America, Asia and Europe easily to and from Seychelles through its hub in Doha, Hamad International Airport (HIA), currently named the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’. Moreover, Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can also earn and spend Avios at almost 200 outlets at Qatar Duty Free (QDF).
Currently, Qatar Airways operates a daily flight between HIA and Seychelles International Airport (SEZ), located on the Island of Mahé, near the capital city of Victoria, with a morning arrival and evening departure from Mahé Island. Because of this new codeshare agreement, Qatar Airways will place its code on Air Seychelles’ operated flights between Mahé and Praslin and enable passengers to continue their journey conveniently using a single booking. Praslin is home to the pristine Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site along with palm-fringed beaches, like Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio, both bordered by large granite boulders. Passengers can book their travel with both airlines, through online travel agencies, as well as with local travel agents.
Air Seychelles maintains its domestic network with a fleet of five Twin Otter TurboProps operating between Mahé and Praslin as well as charter flights. The airline celebrated 45 years in October 2022 and won the title ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline’ at the World Travel Awards held in Kenya.
Qatar Airways is re-introducing a direct Doha to Auckland flight, which commences on September 1, 2023 and will operate seven times a week/departing daily at 01:50 local time.
Qatar Airways will be operating an Airbus A350-1000 on the route with 46 Business Class and 281 Economy Class seats. A key feature of the service is the Qsuite, which is available to Business Class passengers.
From September 24, 2023, due to daylight saving time changes in Auckland, both QR920 and QR921 will arrive and depart one hour later, respectively.
Qatar Airways recently had the opportunity to add a small number of Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 aircraft to its fleet, the first of which arrived in Doha on April 15, 2023.
Since its arrival the aircraft has undergone post-delivery maintenance which has included IFE streaming installation and the aircraft has been used for pilot training almost every day.
The utilization of the Boeing 737-8s will add capacity to help drive future growth, especially in short haul markets, which will be expanded from the Doha-Kuwait-Doha route to other nations, principally in the GCC as further approvals take place. As a rapidly growing airline, these efficient and modern aircraft are a welcome addition to the narrow body fleet to support our sustainable expansion plans as the world’s leading airline. Qatar Airways has now received its second Boeing 737-8 and will receive the remaining 7 aircraft by end of July.
Qatar Airways is a leading customer for the Boeing 737-10 with 25 of this type ordered at the Farnborough Airshow in 2022. The Boeing 737-10 and Boeing 737-8 have a number of operational synergies, particularly in pilot training and ground handling, which will deliver value to customers, though there are differences in onboard amenities such as the Oryx One Play Wireless Inflight Entertainment, rather than the Individual IFE screens which will be available on the Boeing 737-10. Whilst the Boeing 737-8 will operate on shorter sectors, these are not expected to be exclusively operated with this aircraft and will flexibly utilise the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 depending on demand and capacity.
Qatar Airways has decided to take over the pending leases from Air Lease Corportation (ALC) and AerCap for seven new Boeing 737-8 MAX 8s that were previously destined for S7 Airlines.
Qatar Airways becomes a new operator of the type.
Qatar Airways is expanding its short-haul operations.
In addition, in July 2022 Qatar and Boeing finalized an order for 25 737-10 MAX 10 airplanes.
S7 Airlines was unable to take delivery of the new airliners due to sanctions against Russian carriers due to the illegal invasion by Russia of Ukraine.
The first aircraft has been painted in Portland, OR and is now pending delivery to Qatar Airways.
Top Copyright Photo: Qatar Airways Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 A7-BSC (msn 43329) PAE (Brian Worthington). Image: 960386.
Qatar AIrways aircraft photo gallery:
Qatar Airways will soon take delivery of its first Boeing 737-8 MAX 8.
Over the weekend, Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 A7-BSC (msn/ln 43329/8134) was painted in Portland and arrived and Paine Field in Everett, WA.
Qatar Airways and Airbus are pleased to have reached an amicable and mutually agreeable settlement in relation to their legal dispute over A350 surface degradation and the grounding of A350 aircraft.
A repair project is now underway and both parties look forward to getting these aircraft safely back in the air.
The details of the settlement are confidential and the parties will now proceed to discontinue their legal claims.
The settlement agreement is not an admission of liability for either party.
This agreement will enable Qatar Airways and Airbus to move forward and work together as partners.
Top Copyright Photo: Qatar Airways Airbus A350-941 A7-ALA (msn 006) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 960011.
Qatar Airwasys aircraft photo gallery: