DOHA – Qatar Airways is set to be the world's first airline to operate scheduled Boeing 787 flights to and from Australia early next year, the airline company said in a statement Wednesday. Qatar Airways' first long-haul Boeing 787 Australian commercial service will begin operations on Feb. 1, 2013, connecting passengers from Perth to Doha and onwards to many destinations including London Heathrow which this week will have a 787 on the route. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said passengers traveling to and from Australia will have the opportunity to travel onboard one of the most sophisticated, spacious and comfortable aircraft in the skies today. “Our Perth route was launched in July with three flights a week, but we stepped up capacity at the beginning of this month to daily and soon we will deploy our new 787 on the route which demonstrates the confidence we have in this relatively new market for us,” said Al Baker. “From Perth, passengers are able to easily connect via Doha to more 80 destinations worldwide, including over 30 in Europe such as London Heathrow which from will this week will see Qatar Airways flying a 787 on one of its five daily flights. “From February, we will be able to offer the UK and western Australian markets a single 787 product all the way giving our passengers a whole new long-haul experience on the world's newest aircraft. We are delighted with today's announcement, providing our Australian passengers with an unparalleled service onboard the most talked-about aircraft in the world today.” “In just two days time as we inaugurate our 787 on the London Heathrow route, Qatar Airways is firmly on the global aviation map as a carrier with a determination to continue its expansion drive and improve an already superior in-flight product,” he added. “Qatar Airways took delivery of the first of 60 Dreamliners last month with the third 787 joining Qatar Airways' fleet just days ago. The Dreamliner marks the start of an exciting new era for travellers worldwide with unparalleled levels of comfort and luxury onboard Boeing's next generation aircraft.” A striking feature of every seat throughout the 787 is the award-winning touch screen Android system, where passengers are able to navigate through a truly interactive service offering more than 1,000 movie, TV programs, music and gaming entertainment options in a sophisticated and user friendly way, just like the latest smart phones. 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. Seats on the 787 Perth – Doha flights are now bookable online at qatarairways.com, through any Qatar Airways reservation office or local travel agent. To experience Qatar Airways' new 787, click on the following link www.qatarairways.com/787 and view details of the aircraft, its features with videos, including a fascinating 3-minute clip of the making of Qatar Airways' first Dreamliner. — SG The DOHA – PERTH schedules, effective Feb. 1, 2013 DAILY Depart Doha QR900 at 0130 hrs, arrive Perth at 1720 hrs Depart Perth QR901 at 2245 hrs, arrive Doha at 0510 hrs Connections to London Heathrow Depart Doha QR075 at 0625 hrs, arrive London 1105 hrs Depart London QR076 at 1505 hrs, arrive Doha 0045 hrs following day
