What’s New

Qatar Airways experienced a milestone year in 2015, from beginning with the start of A350 operations for which it was the global launch customer, to growing its fleet by 20%, through to ending on a high note by launching a new brand campaign, “Going Places Together” and debuting an exclusive on-board safety video featuring FC Barcelona players.
Qatar Airways recently launched its new global brand campaign featuring the tagline “Going Places Together” reflecting the essence of the airline’s core ambitious plan for 2016 – to strengthen its global reach by bringing people and places together. The airline also created a buzz by breaking industry ‘norms’ with its fresh and unique on-board safety video featuring famous FC Barcelona’s La Liga players. 
Qatar Airways started 2015 as the global launch customer of the A350, the very latest in aircraft design by Airbus. With this achievement, Qatar Airways became the first airline in the world to operate every family of Airbus’ modern airliner portfolio, comprising of the A320, A330, A340, A350 and A380.
Throughout 2015, Qatar Airways added 29 new aircraft to the fleet, increasing its total aircraft count by 20%, reflecting the airline’s growth and expansion. At a ceremony at the Dubai Air Show in November, Qatar Airways welcomed the 25th Boeing 787 Dreamliner into its fleet, direct from the Boeing delivery centre in Seattle. The average age of Qatar Airways’ fleet is four years.
Qatar Airways launched eight destinations during 2015 – Abha, Amsterdam, Durban, Nagpur, Faisalabad, Multan, Sialkot and Zanzibar. Responding to growing demand in its existing markets, the airline increased service to more than 30 of its destinations. For instance, the airline launched an additional daily flight to Singapore in 2015 and also had a significant increase in seat capacity of around 32% by deploying a larger aircraft to Bengaluru in India, as part of its global expansion drive. 2016 promises to be equally exciting with new routes planned to Adelaide, Atlanta, Birmingham, Boston, Los Angeles, Sydney and Ras Al Khaimah.
Qatar Airways was crowned as Skytrax Airline of the Year for the third time in five years, being voted as the favorite airline by passengers – a major accomplishment for an airline to reach multiple times. In addition, the airline also collected two other awards: Best Business Class Airline Seat and Best Airline in the Middle East – which Qatar Airways has won for the ninth time.
The Paris Air Show in June was filled with highlights for Qatar Airways as the airline displayed five aircraft at the show – an A380, A350, A320, A319 and a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Qatar Airways also announced a firm order at the show for 10 777-8Xs and four 777 freighters with a total order value of USD 4.8 billion.
Qatar Executive, Qatar Airways’ business jet division, also announced an aircraft order for up to 30 aircraft from Gulfstream, diversifying their owned-and-operated fleet for the first time. Qatar Executive took delivery of its first G650ER in December 2015.
Qatar Airways became the first airline in the world to pass 10 million fans on Facebook, by using innovative and effective ways to engage with its fans.
Qatar Airways made a number of strategic business moves in 2015, including strengthening existing commercial ties with International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG), by acquiring a 9.99% stake in the group in January. Dhiafatina Hotels, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qatar Airways Group, owner of the Oryx Rotana hotel and the Airport Hotel at Hamad International Airport in Doha, expanded beyond the Qatari borders with the acquisition of the Sheraton Skyline Hotel at London Heathrow Airport and the Novotel Edinburgh Park Hotel in Scotland.
To support Qatar Airways’ growth in 2015, the airline increased its group employee numbers by 14% to a year-end total of more than 40,000 staff representing more than 150 nationalities.
Source: Qatar Airways