Press conference in Doha attended by more than 150 international media as Qatar Airways showcases the first of its 80 A350 XWB aircraft for the first time in its hub and home.
DOHA, QATAR – Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, hosted a press conference in the airline’s hub at the Premium Terminal of Doha International Airport, to a crowd of more than 150 international media, who had travelled to Qatar to view the first A350 XWB, for which the airline is the global launch customer.
Also in attendance at the press conference were Mr. Didier Evrard, Airbus Executive Vice President Head of Programmes and Mr. Eric Schulz, Rolls-Royce President of Civil Large Engines, both of whom previously attended the official delivery of the aircraft from Airbus to Qatar Airways at a ceremony held in December at the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are ready to commence operations with the A350 XWB and are delighted to introduce another level of service with our expanded fleet.
“The engineering design of the A350 XWB is modern, technologically refined and spacious, and we are proud to welcome yet another fine aeroplane into the Qatar Airways’ fleet.”
Following the press conference, media were given the opportunity to meet with the airline’s Group Chief Executive, before continuing to tour the newly inducted aircraft.
As global launch customer for the A350 XWB, Qatar Airways will be the only airline to fly this aircraft type for the foreseeable future, and was a significant contributor to its cutting-edge design in partnership with aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, and engine manufacturer, Rolls-Royce.
The first commercial service will be deployed on the Doha-Frankfurt route – a sold-out service – on January 15, 2015.
The A350 XWB will comprise a two-class configuration with 36 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, featuring 80” fully flat beds and 17” HD in-flight entertainment screens. Economy Class will comprise of 247 seats, each 18-inches wide in a 3-3-3 configuration, with up to a 32-inch pitch. Each individual seat will feature a 10.6” in-flight entertainment screen, and more space at shoulder level for passengers in window seats, thanks to a vertical side wall panel design.
Over 70 percent of the A350 XWB’s weight-efficient airframe is made from advanced materials combining composites (53 percent), titanium and advanced aluminium alloys. The aircraft’s innovative all-new carbon fibre reinforced plastic fuselage results in lower fuel burn as well as easier maintenance.
Qatar Airways is the only airline in the world to operate every family of Airbus’ modern airline portfolio. In addition to the 80 A350s it has on order, the airline has a current Airbus fleet comprising of the A320, A330 Freighter, A319LR, A321, A330, A340 and A380 families.
OnAir connectivity line fit on Qatar’s A350 fleet
OnAir’s full inflight connectivity suite, including Mobile OnAir and Internet OnAir, is being installed as line fit on Qatar Airways’ brand new A350s the first of which was unveiled in Doha today, January 7, 2015. Passengers can now choose between mobile phone connectivity and Wi-Fi, depending on their preference.
While flying, passengers have been taking to social media to say how much they like inflight connectivity and appreciate staying online.
“OnAir’s innovation has ensured that the internal technology matches the ground-breaking work that has gone into the construction of the A350,” said Ian Dawkins, CEO of OnAir. “We are helping Qatar Airways give its passengers the most up-to-date solutions which fall in line with passengers’ expectations of a 5-Star Airline.”
OnAir’s next generation inflight connectivity services, using GX Aviation, will be launched on the A350 in 2016. Inmarsat’s ground-breaking global Ka-band network will provide up to 50Mbs to the aircraft. Importantly, the passenger experience will be consistent across the globe.
“OnAir has been at the forefront of the inflight connectivity market since the very beginning. I am very proud that we’re continuing our tradition with another first for the industry with the launch of GX Aviation,” continued Ian Dawkins. “We understand the importance of providing the very best services available to the aircraft. Qatar Airways is a long-standing and loyal OnAir customer – its choice of OnAir inflight connectivity for its A350s speaks volumes about the service we are able to deliver.”
The OnAir-connected A350 will initially fly on the Doha-Frankfurt route.
Photo caption: Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, hosted a press conference in Doha for more than 150 international media, for the inauguration of the world’s first A350 XWB. Joining Mr. Al Baker on the head table were Mr. Didier Evrard (left), Airbus Executive Vice President Head of Programmes and Mr. Eric Schulz (right), Rolls-Royce President of Civil Large Engines.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
