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Airlines and Aviation

Qatar Airways ensures luxury and sustainability complement each other: Ejetta

Travel Daily Media (TDM): What does luxury travel mean to Qatar Airways, and how do you translate that into the passenger experience for travellers from Thailand? The QSuite has been a game-changer in business class travel. How does this product cater specifically to the preferences and needs of Thai passengers? Boru Tilahun Ejetta (BTE): Qatar Airways takes great pride in its premium branding and exceptional service, having been recognized as the only airline in the world to win the Skytrax Airline of the Year award eight times and the Skytrax World’s Best Business Class award eleven times. From the moment passengers arrive, Qatar Airways’ Premium Lounge in Bangkok offers a serene retreat before their flight. Designed with modern Arabian aesthetics and infused with Thai hospitality, the lounge provides tranquil views of airport gardens, exclusive amenities by Diptyque, and a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. Our award-winning business class, Qsuite, incorporates many elements typically found in first-class cabins into a business class product. Qsuite delivers an unparalleled experience with private suites, fully lie-flat beds, dine-on-demand service, and customizable cabin configurations to accommodate individual, double, and quad travel needs. It features a premium amenity kit from the luxury French beauty brand Diptyque, ensuring guests can travel in comfort while wearing The White Company loungewear set. Thai passengers can expect a genuinely restful and luxurious experience, enhancing their journey from boarding to arrival. Furthermore, Hamad International Airport (HIA), voted Skytrax World’s Best Airport in 2021, 2022, and 2024, further elevates the travel experience. Elite passengers can unwind in the exclusive Louis Vuitton Lounge, where they can indulge in world-class luxury alongside culinary offerings by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. Flying with Qatar Airways guarantees an exceptional experience at every touchpoint. From our premium lounges and award-winning dining to the luxurious Qsuite and world-class facilities at HIA, Thai passengers can look forward to a seamless and unforgettable journey with us. Qatar Airways introduces Caviar on select Business Class flights, elevating the onboard experience TDM: In what ways do you see Starlink Wi-Fi setting a new standard for in-flight connectivity, particularly for passengers travelling between Thailand and global destinations? BTE: Starlink Wi-Fi is revolutionizing in-flight connectivity by providing ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet, allowing passengers to stay connected at 35,000 feet. With seamless, gate-to-gate access to fast internet, Starlink ensures reliable connectivity even over oceans and remote areas. Best of all, it is free of charge for all passengers! This makes activities like streaming, gaming, and work uninterrupted. As Qatar Airways leads the way with this groundbreaking technology, Thai passengers on select aircraft equipped with Starlink can enjoy a connected, productive, and enjoyable journey, wherever their travels take them. TDM: Qatar Airways has partnered with Chef Ton, a celebrated Thai chef, to elevate its onboard dining experience. How does this collaboration reflect the airline’s commitment to Thai passengers? Can you elaborate on the caviar service and other gourmet offerings? BTE: Qatar Airways’ partnership with Chef Thitid ‘Ton’ Tassanakajohn, a celebrated Thai chef known for his Michelin-starred restaurants Le Du and Nusara, underscores the airline's commitment to offering a world-class dining experience. Chef Ton has curated a menu featuring Thai-inspired dishes, blending traditional flavors with innovative presentations to enhance the inflight dining experience. In addition to Chef Ton’s exquisite Thai dishes, Qatar Airways offers an exclusive caviar service, further elevating the dining experience. Passengers in First and Business Class can indulge in premium caviar, served with all the traditional accompaniments, as part of a carefully crafted gourmet menu. The airline’s commitment to high-end dining extends beyond this with a variety of gourmet offerings, including an extensive wine list and on-demand dining, ensuring that every aspect of the culinary experience on board meets the highest standards of luxury and refinement. This collaboration reflects Qatar Airways' passion for integrating exceptional culinary talent to provide a memorable, luxurious journey for Thai passengers. TDM: The reopening of the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge in Bangkok has been highly anticipated. What unique features does the lounge offer to Thai passengers? BTE: Qatar Airways’ Premium Lounge in Bangkok offers Thai passengers an elevated and luxurious pre-flight experience, designed to reflect the airline’s commitment to comfort and exclusivity. Also, the Bangkok Premium Lounge is one of the five self-operated premium lounges Qatar Airways have globally outside of Doha. Located in Suvarnabhumi Airport, the lounge combines modern Arabian aesthetics with the warmth and hospitality of Thailand, providing an inviting atmosphere for all passengers. One of the standout features of the lounge is its serene ambiance, with tranquil views of the airport gardens. The lounge is thoughtfully designed to create a relaxing environment, allowing passengers to unwind and refresh before their flight. To further enhance the premium experience, the lounge features exclusive amenities crafted by the renowned French perfumier Diptyque, adding a touch of luxury to every detail. Gourmet dining options are another key highlight of the lounge, it features two expansive dining areas - The Brasserie for a formal dining experience offering a range of international cuisines from an à la carte menu and The Global Deli for a more relaxed buffet-style dining. The reopening of the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge in Bangkok is a significant step in providing Thai passengers with a truly exceptional and seamless travel experience, blending luxury, comfort, and attentive service in one stunning space. TDM: Qatar Airways has appointed a Master of Wine to curate its onboard beverage selection. How does this enhance the travel experience for Thai passengers, particularly those with a taste for fine wines? BTE: Qatar Airways' appointment of a Master of Wine, Anne Krebiehl, to curate its onboard beverage selection significantly enhances the travel experience for all passengers, including those from Thailand with a refined taste for fine wines. Anne, the appointed Master of Wine, brings valuable expertise in selecting the finest wines, ensuring a premium and thoughtfully curated collection that pairs perfectly with in-flight meals at 35,000 feet. There are a number of factors that affect the taste of wine in the sky, such as lower humidity and cabin pressure, which temporarily reduce passengers’ capacity to smell and taste intricate flavors. Recognizing these challenges, Qatar Airways carefully selects wines that are able to perform well at high altitudes, ensuring an enjoyable and optimal wine experience despite the unique conditions of the sky. In recognition of its exceptional wine offerings, Qatar Airways recently won the prestigious "Best Business Class Cellar" award at the 2024 Cellars in the Sky Awards, further solidifying our position as a leader in inflight wine service. This accolade highlights Qatar Airways’ commitment to offering an unparalleled selection of fine wines, handpicked for their quality, character, and versatility. The Master of Wine ensures that each wine complements and works harmoniously with the airline’s world-class food, elevating the overall dining experience for passengers. Whether Thai passengers are enjoying a gourmet meal, a refreshing aperitif, or a quiet moment of relaxation, they can indulge in wines that cater to every palate, served with the highest level of quality and attention to detail. TDM: What was the inspiration behind choosing Diptyque, and how does it resonate with the preferences of Thai travellers? BTE: Qatar Airways’ collaboration with the iconic French perfumer Diptyque for its exclusive amenity kits was driven by a shared commitment to luxury, quality, and exceptional service. Diptyque, renowned for its exquisite fragrances and premium products, was selected to enhance the passenger experience with a touch of refinement. The luxurious amenity kits, featuring Diptyque’s high-end toiletries such as perfumes, hand creams, and body balms, offer passengers an elevated in-flight experience, adding a layer of sophistication and indulgence. For Thai travelers, the choice of Diptyque resonates deeply with their appreciation for high-quality, premium products and luxury experiences. Thai culture places a strong emphasis on fine craftsmanship and attention to detail, and Diptyque’s reputation for creating beautifully crafted, sensory-rich products aligns with these values. This partnership reflects Qatar Airways' dedication to providing an exceptional experience tailored to the preferences of its passengers, ensuring that each aspect of the journey, from luxurious amenities to attentive onboard service, meets the highest standards of air travel. TDM: As luxury travel evolves, how is Qatar Airways balancing opulence with sustainability, and what role do Thai passengers play in this journey? BTE: As luxury travel evolves, Qatar Airways is committed to reducing its environmental footprint while offering world-class service. We have invested in a fleet of modern, fuel-efficient aircraft that minimize carbon emissions, and we are pioneers in using Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), with a target of 10% SAF fuel by 2030, alongside a robust fuel optimization strategy. Eco-friendly practices, such as introducing lightweight PET wine bottles and reducing up to 80% of single-use plastics in Quisine meal servings, ensure that luxury and sustainability complement each other. For Thai passengers, who are increasingly mindful of sustainability in their travel choices, Qatar Airways offers the Voluntary Carbon Offset Program, which allows passengers to contribute to renewable energy projects. They can opt-in while purchasing their tickets online.

Airlines and Aviation

Qatar Airways increases flights to Toronto and São Paulo

Qatar Airways is broadening horizons for travellers to and from the Americas with its upcoming increase in flights to Toronto and São Paulo. Reaffirming its focus on serving growing demand, the airline will serve Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) with five weekly flights from 19 June 2025, and São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) with 17 weekly flights from 25 June 2025. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer,Thierry Antinori, said: “We launched our services to Toronto Pearson Airport less than six months ago and have seen a strong response in the market. We are proud to announce the increase in flights to meet the growing demand for our award-winning travel experience.” “At the same time, we are expanding in South America with additional flights to São Paulo, a key gateway and strategic hub for business and leisure travel. These expansions underscore our commitment to providing seamless global connectivity through Hamad International Airport - voted World’s Best Airport Shopping by Skytrax in 2025.” Qatar Airways flights to Toronto (YYZ) The airline inaugurated its flights to Toronto in December 2024 ahead of the festive season, and is planning to offer daily flights to the city this coming winter to provide passengers across Canada enhanced connectivity to Doha and beyond. Summer schedule Departing every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: Doha (DOH) to Toronto (YYZ) – Flight QR767: Departure 08:10, Arrival 15:00 Toronto (YYZ) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR768: Departure 21:00, Arrival 16:40 Winter schedule The flights will depart daily: Doha (DOH) to Toronto (YYZ) – Flight QR767: Departure 08:25, Arrival 14:40 Toronto (YYZ) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR768: Departure 20:10, Arrival 16:55 Qatar Airways flights to São Paulo (GRU) Much to the joy of travellers from across the Far East, the Middle East and Australia, Qatar Airways is also increasing flights to São Paulo from 14 to 17 weekly flights. Travellers can soon enjoy the relaxing winter season in the lively metropolis with greater choice and convenience. Departing every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday: Doha (DOH) to São Paulo (GRU) – Flight QR785: Departure 00:10, Arrival 09:00 São Paulo (GRU) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR786: Departure 10:30, Arrival 06:45 Passengers will continue to benefit from Qatar Airways’ seamless connections to 55 destinations in Latin America through LATAM Airlines, including Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Lima and Santiago de Chile. Qatar Airways, a benchmark for excellence in the industry, remains a prominent leader in global connectivity and operates to over 170 destinations worldwide. Bookings for the getaways can be made at: qatarairways.com or through the airline’s mobile application.    

Airlines and Aviation

Qatar Airways nears Boeing 777 fleet-wide starlink upgrade, set to expand to Airbus A350 this Month

Qatar Airways, the largest global airline offering Starlink’s high-speed internet on-board, is now a few aircraft away from completing its Boeing 777 fleet-wide upgrade. The airline’s rapid rollout reinforces in-flight innovation leadership and marks one of the fastest and most ambitious Starlink installations in the aviation industry. In its latest global first, Qatar Airways will begin equipping its Airbus A350 fleet with Starlink Wi-Fi this month, becoming the first airline in the world to bring this cutting-edge connectivity to passengers onboard the Airbus A350 aircraft type. This expansion follows the airline’s success with the Boeing 777 and will see even more passengers enjoying fully complimentary, ultra-fast Wi-Fi for streaming, gaming, and working seamlessly at 35,000 feet. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We are just a few aircraft away from completing a full fleet-wide upgrade of our Boeing 777s with Starlink connectivity—an industry-first for a widebody fleet of this scale. In April, we will become the first airline in the world to begin equipping the Airbus A350 with Starlink, taking another bold step in our journey of redefining connectivity in the skies. We affirm our continual efforts to enhance our onboard WiFi experience, ensuring passengers enjoy greater comfort, convenience, and service.” With more than 80 per cent of its Boeing 777 fleet equipped with Starlink, the airline has operated more than 6,000 global flights with unparalleled and fastest gate-to-gate internet WiFi connectivity, unmatched by any other airline in the MENA region.      

Airlines and Aviation

Qatar Airways Group and Virgin Australia receive final go-ahead from the ACCC

Qatar Airways Group and Virgin Australia have received final go-ahead from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for the airlines’ integrated alliance. This final determination officially signals the green light for Virgin Australia’s new 28 weekly flights between Australia and Doha – operated under a wet-lease with Qatar Airways – to proceed. The ACCC’s authorisation of Qatar Airways’ partnership with Virgin Australia gives the Australian carrier access to the scale and expertise of a world-leading global airline and facilitates its re-entry into long-haul international flying. This will drive increased competition in the market while delivering greater choice and value for Australian passengers. Utilising aircraft wet-leased from Qatar Airways, Virgin Australia is set to commence long-haul flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth to Doha from June 2025, followed by Melbourne to Doha in December 2025. Through the award-winning Hamad International Airport in Doha, the flights open up more than 100 connecting itineraries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and enable Australian passengers to benefit from a host of increased loyalty earn and redemption opportunities for Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club and Velocity members. In addition to this, the flights will provide a significant boost to the Australian visitor and tourism economy, generating an estimated AUD$3 billion in economic value over the next five years. The collaboration arrangement will also support jobs growth, both in Virgin Australia and across the broader aviation and tourism sectors in Australia, with Qatar Airways set to provide secondment opportunities for 20 Virgin Australia pilots and 40 cabin crew in 2025. Another important area of focus for the partnership is sustainability, which includes the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel initiatives. This follows the Australian Government’s approval of Qatar Airways Group’s 25 per cent investment in Virgin Australia on 27 February 2025 – joining existing majority shareholder Bain Capital. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “Today’s announcement by the ACCC sends a clear signal of the appetite that exists for delivering competition, world-class service and value to Australian passengers. “It also marks the start of a new chapter in the relationship between our two airlines, and I would like to thank our Virgin Australia colleagues and valued stakeholders for their tireless dedication to our shared ambition to create healthy competition within the local aviation market, as well as our collective commitment to supporting Australian businesses, Australian jobs and the wider economy.” Virgin Australia Chief Executive Officer, Dave Emerson said: "This is a defining moment for Virgin Australia and the Australian aviation landscape. The ACCC’s final approval of our deeper strategic partnership with Qatar Airways marks the start of a new chapter for our airline and a world of opportunities for our people and customers. “Already, we are seeing some of the positive benefits of the partnership, including increased sale activity on airfares between Australia and Europe, the Middle East and Africa thanks to increased competition. “We are pleased to welcome Qatar Airways as not just a strategic partner, but a part owner in Virgin Australia. This reflects a huge vote of confidence from a leading global airline in our business and in Australian aviation more broadly.” Bain Capital Partner, Mike Murphy said: “This important milestone allows the airlines to harness their collective strength and unlock new areas of cooperation for the benefit of Australian consumers. We are delighted to officially welcome Qatar Airways Group as a minority investor in Virgin Australia.” In October 2024, Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a range of sustainability initiatives, including aims to advance the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), environmental management including waste and energy management, sustainable procurement, and aviation workforce development.        

Airlines and Aviation

Qatar Airways launches additional flights to global destinations

Qatar Airways is enhancing global connectivity with additional flights to key destinations around the world. The expanded services will offer passengers greater flexibility and seamless connections, further strengthening the airline’s network of more than 170 destinations. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “Qatar Airways’ vast network of global destinations is complemented with robust flight frequencies for the benefit of our passengers. The new additions further reflect our commitment to fostering worldwide connectivity and elevating passengers’ travel experience with our award-winning hub, Hamad International Airport (DOH) – voted World’s Best Airport and World’s Best Airport Shopping by Skytrax in 2024.  At Qatar Airways, we take pride in offering unparalleled services, and with the peak summer season approaching, we are pleased to fulfil the ever-increasing demand for air travel with accessible and convenient flight schedules.” From bustling metropolises to scenic landscapes, Qatar Airways is enabling greater connectivity in the following destinations: Amsterdam – increased from seven weekly flights to 11 Damascus – increased from three weekly flights to 14 Dar Es Salaam-Kilimanjaro – increased from three weekly flights to seven Entebbe – increased from seven weekly flights to 11 Larnaca – increased from seven weekly flights to 10 London Heathrow – increased from 49 weekly flights to 56 Madrid – increased from 14 weekly flights to 17 (bringing the jointly operated flights between Qatar Airways and Iberia from 21 weekly flights to 24) Maputo-Durban – increased from five weekly flights to seven Sharjah – increased from 21 weekly flights to 35 Tokyo Narita – increased from 11 weekly flights to 14 Tunis – increased from 10 weekly flights to 12    

Airlines and Aviation

Qatar Airways launches off-airport check-in service in Makkah for Hajj and Umrah Passengers

Image Courtesy: Qatar Airways   Qatar Airways, the World’s Best Airline as voted by Skytrax 2024, has introduced off-airport check-in service in Makkah, providing Hajj and Umrah passengers with a seamless and hassle-free travel experience. Launched in partnership with Saudi Ground Services (SGS), this service enables passengers to complete check-in formalities, receive their boarding passes, and the baggage to be collected from the city, ensuring a smooth journey to the airport. Effective March 1, 2025, Qatar Airways passengers departing from Jeddah can take advantage of a new off-airport check-in service at Makkah Clock Royal Tower, a Fairmont Hotel. Conveniently located at the hotel entrance from the ring road on L2, this service streamlines the check-in process, reducing airport wait times and allowing pilgrims to focus on their spiritual journey with ease and comfort. Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, said: “At Qatar Airways, we recognise the profound significance of Hajj and Umrah and remain committed to enhancing the travel experience for our passengers. By introducing the off-airport check-in service in Makkah, in partnership with Saudi Ground Services, we are ensuring that pilgrims can begin their journey with convenience and peace of mind. This initiative reflects our dedication to delivering world-class services tailored to the needs of our passengers, reaffirming our commitment to seamless and innovative travel solutions.” Saudi Ground Service’ Chief Executive Officer, Mohammad Abdul Kareem Mazi, said: “At Saudi Ground Services, we are honoured to continuously expand our innovative Hajj & Umrah off-airport solutions in collaboration with our partner Airlines ensuring we fulfil our commitment to serve all Hajj & Umrah passengers. Our partnership with Qatar Airways reflects our shared dedication to deliver seamless and Innovative travel experiences enabling pilgrims focus on their spiritual journey while we take care of their travel needs with convenience, efficiency, and peace of mind.” Passengers using the off-airport check-in service will benefit from an expedited departure process, with baggage securely transported to the airport and minimal waiting times at check-in counters. This initiative is part of Qatar Airways’ ongoing efforts to enhance its services for Hajj and Umrah travellers, offering a superior level of convenience and comfort from the moment their journey begins. This service is part of Qatar Airways’ award-winning offerings, designed to provide the highest levels of comfort, reliability, and care for those undertaking this sacred journey. As the World’s Best Airline for an unprecedented eight times, Qatar Airways remains committed to elevating every aspect of the passengers’ travel experience to passengers travelling from Saudi Arabia. With operations to 11 cities across the Kingdom, offering over 120 weekly flights – including 35 weekly flights to Jeddah – Qatar Airways continues to enhance connectivity and convenience, ensuring a seamless and exceptional journey for travellers.        

Air

ATIA lauds government approval of Qatar Airways’ stake in Virgin Australia

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) welcomed the Federal Government’s approval of Qatar Airways’ 25 percent stake in Virgin Australia. Association officials pointed out that this will enhance airline competition and create new opportunities for Australian travel agents and advisors. The increased competition on international routes means more reasons for travellers to use travel agencies and advisors to secure the best value flights, particularly for long-haul travel to Europe. With more airline options, travellers rely on expert advice to navigate the best routes, pricing and benefits. An advantageous situation ATIA chief executive Dean Long remarked that the acquisition is great news for Australians who want more choice and more competitive fares when travelling internationally, with greater choices on flights to Europe.  Long said: “More competition in the skies drives innovation, better pricing and improved services for travellers. It also increases the potential for greater investment to drive domestic competition. It’s a decision which will bring long-term benefits to Australian travellers and the broader travel industry.” The ATIA CEO added that the decision strengthens the role of travel agents and advisors in delivering value to consumers.  For agencies, on the other hand, greater competition means more reasons for travellers to use agencies and their travel advisors to find the best value. With regard to the association’s land supply members, greater competition and more competitive fares free up more of the budget for travellers to spend more on experiencing destinations through touring. Long concluded by saying: “With greater competition comes greater negotiation power for travel agents and advisors to drive greater commercial outcomes.”

Airlines and Aviation

Qatar Airways reinvents travel bookings with Sama at Web Summit Qatar 2025

  Qatar Airways is proud to sponsor Web Summit Qatar for the second consecutive year, debuting revolutionary travel AI tools and announcing its four-year long-term commitment as the Official Lifestyle and Travel Partner of the yearly event. The award-winning airline opened Web Summit Qatar 2025 with its latest innovations including Sama’s AI Booking, Dream Destination – The Pulse, QVerse Multi-Sensory Experience, AI Menu, Privilege Club Collection, and Reward Seat Finder. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Qatar Airways’ partnership extension with Web Summit Qatar illustrates our commitment to innovation and highlights our pursuit of adopting cutting-edge technological advancements to deliver leading passenger experiences. As the national carrier of the State of Qatar, we are also honoured to support further our country’s ambitions of technological growth and innovations.” Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “Qatar Airways is increasingly leveraging innovative technologies to enhance and streamline the customer experience. We aim to provide our passengers with excellence from the moment they open the Qatar Airways mobile application or website, and our team has developed digital AI tools to guide and engage our passengers throughout their booking and travel experiences. We look forward to seeing visitors discover the Qatar Airways pavilion and the ground-breaking technology they can engage with.” This year, Qatar Airways Pavilion features key staff in its ‘Tarmac Talks’, which also include pioneers in the industry giving insight into the technologies on display at the pavilion. The World’s Best Airline, as voted by Skytrax in 2024, has further brought together a number of innovations for visitors to discover, including: Sama Reinvents Booking Qatar Airways introduces a world-first AI booking experience with Sama, the AI Cabin Crew, now live on Qatar Airways QVerse, app and website. Designed to make booking effortless and personalised, Sama interacts naturally with travellers through voice and chat by guiding them every step of the way. With AI-powered, intuitive booking, travellers can simply ask Sama about flights, and she will curate a tailored itinerary. Planning a family trip? Just tell Sama - she'll suggest family-friendly destinations and refine the itinerary in real time. Available around the clock, Sama makes booking smarter. At Web Summit Qatar 2025, visitors can meet Sama as a hologram at the Qatar Airways Pavilion, where she will guide guests and answer their travel questions. Dream Destination - The Pulse – Interpreting emotion to enhance recommendations Following the successful launch of the world’s first AI promptless experience during Web Summit Qatar 2024, the latest version of this product now interprets user emotions to assist travellers in discovering their ultimate holiday destination. This represents a significant advancement into the emerging field of emotionally-aware AI and complements previous innovations launched on the Qatar Airways’ digital ecosystem and in the Privilege Club loyalty programme. Privilege Club Collection The Privilege Club Collection is a digital platform available to the airline’s loyalty members, enabling them to bid on exclusive ‘money-can’t-buy’ experiences using their Avios. The platform integrates the loyalty programme into members’ lifestyle by offering them a new avenue to spend their Avios on their favourite sports, music, and cultural events, as well as retail and dining experiences. Members will have access to exclusive auctions each of the three days at the Web Summit Qatar 2025. My Reward Seat Finder Launched in 2024, this unique tool allows members to search for reward seat availability with a calendar that shows all available options within a 30 days window, making the experience of booking a reward seat easier than before. My Reward Seat Finder allows Privilege Club members to specify their preferred window and class of travel. The tool then displays availability and Avios required accordingly. Tarmac Talks Visitors of the Web Summit Qatar 2025 have the rare opportunity to listen to some of the key players driving technological development within Qatar Airways. This includes 15-minute presentations from the creative minds behind the technologies featured at the Qatar Airways Pavilion including the themes of “Sama & The Future of Digital Branding: Where AI Meets Human Connection”, “Dream Destination the Pulse, The Imperative to Digitise the Cargo Industry”, and “Using Predictive Analytics to Elevate the Customer Experience”, along with several other engaging topics. AI Menu Recommendations Another industry first by Qatar Airways, AI Menu Recommendations allows Business Class passengers to explore and choose the delectable options on the onboard menu. Through the Qatar Airways application, Business Class passengers can now view the menu before their flight, and Sama will assist them with recommendations, presenting chef’s specials and curating specific dietary meals, e.g. vegetarian options. Qverse Multi-Sensory Experience The QVerse multi-sensory experience offers a highly immersive virtual reality journey, allowing visitors to explore Qatar Airways’ award-winning Qsuite through a blend of sensory interactions. By combining visual, auditory, and tactile interactions, users can step inside a fully digital recreation of the Qsuite, experiencing its luxury, comfort, and innovation in an entirely new way. This cutting-edge experience redefines how travellers engage with airline hospitality, bringing Qatar Airways’ world-class offerings to life in a ground-breaking approach. Brand Campaign Visitors can experience the airline’s ‘AI Adventure’ and immerse themselves in an emotive story as the main characters. As part of the innovative brand campaign, viewers can select from multiple scenes within the film to star as the leading roles. Owing to cutting-edge AI technology, the characters will be an accurate reflection of the viewer's appearance, adapting to their facial features, and skin tone.  AI Adventure has been viewed by 817k users with 107k taking part in their own video adventure. Additionally, Qatar Airways is offering a glimpse into the inner workings of the airline. Listen to the stories of the innovative minds working at Qatar Airways and get insights on what it is like to be a part of the team. Attendees interested in joining the Qatar Airways team will have an array of opportunities to connect with recruiters and will be provided with online resources. The award-winning airline welcomes passengers to explore the debut AI travel tools at the Qatar Airways pavilion at Web Summit Qatar 2025 during 23-26 February 2025.        

Airlines and Aviation

Qatar Airways equips 30th Boeing 777 with Starlink

Qatar Airways has achieved a new milestone with the installation of Starlink on its 30th aircraft, equipping over 50 per cent of its Boeing 777 fleet. This achievement comes four months after the airline launched the world’s first Boeing 777 Starlink-enabled flight and two months after surpassing its initial 2024 target of 12 installations by upgrading 15 aircraft with Starlink connectivity. Soaring ahead of competitors, Qatar Airways has significantly accelerated its Starlink rollout, cutting installation time per aircraft from three or two days to just 9.5 hours, reducing the retrofit by nearly three-quarters of the initial timeline. The airline has ensured a seamless process with no impact on operations or flight schedules by carefully timing the installations to fit within a 12-hour overnight timeframe. The World’s Best Airline, as voted by Skytrax in 2024, had initially planned to complete the installations in two years; however, Qatar Airways has optimised its process and will complete the full Boeing 777 fleet rollout in the second quarter of 2025. This will allow more passengers to stay connected free of charge throughout their journey, streaming their favourite shows and live sports, enjoying online gaming, or working seamlessly at 35,000 feet. Speaking at Web Summit Qatar 2025, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We are delivering on our commitment to provide our passengers the best in-flight connectivity at an unprecedented pace. In just four months since launching the world’s first Boeing 777 Starlink-equipped flight, we have already installed this ground-breaking service on 30 aircraft—far exceeding our initial targets. This reflects the commendable efficiency and dedication of our team. Starlink Wi-Fi is a game-changer for our passengers who will soon enjoy uninterrupted connectivity on even more routes.” Qatar Airways is simplifying a complex process by replacing existing systems and installing new ones at record speed while maintaining the highest safety standards—achieving efficiency beyond the standard installation process. With one of the fastest and most ambitious Starlink rollouts in the industry, Qatar Airways is once again setting new standards for in-flight connectivity by keeping passengers connected wherever they fly.      

Features

Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways Alliance Gains ACCC’s Preliminary Approval

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced its intention to approve a cooperative alliance between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways for a five-year period. Although final regulatory approvals are still pending, the competition watchdog’s proposal to authorise this strategic partnership is a promising development for air travellers. Enhanced Connectivity and Competition The proposed alliance will see Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways collaborate on 28 new weekly return services between Doha and four Australian cities: Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. According to the ACCC, this partnership is expected to boost competition, enhance connectivity, and provide passengers with more choices. Under the agreement, Virgin Australia would operate the new services using Qatar Airways’ aircraft and crew under a ‘wet lease’ arrangement. Public Benefits ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey highlighted the potential benefits of the cooperative conduct: “We consider that the proposed cooperative conduct would likely result in several public benefits including providing enhanced products and services for air travellers, which would include increased choice of international flights, with additional connectivity, convenience, and loyalty program benefits for consumers.” Interim Authorization and Marketing The airlines have already begun marketing and selling the new Australia-Doha routes under an interim authorization granted by the ACCC in November last year. Should the final regulatory approvals not be granted, both airlines have agreed to offer refunds or re-accommodation at no extra charge. Workforce Concerns While some stakeholders have raised concerns about the impact on Australian workforce laws, particularly the use of Qatar-based crew, the ACCC believes the proposed alliance would not significantly harm the Australian aviation workforce. Commissioner Brakey noted, “We consider that Virgin Australia is unlikely to commence operating long-haul international services between Australia and the Middle East on a stand-alone basis in the next five years.” Loyalty Program Benefits Under the proposed deal, Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer members would continue to earn and redeem points on Singapore Airlines flights worldwide, with existing partnerships with South African Airways and Virgin Atlantic remaining unchanged. Public Feedback and Final Decision The ACCC is now seeking public feedback on its draft determination, with submissions due by 7 March 2025, before making its final decision. This potential alliance between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways marks an exciting chapter in international air travel, promising enhanced services, greater connectivity, and improved options for passengers travelling between Australia and the Middle East.

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