Qatar Airways

[nwoody2001]

Yeah I saw that on Twitter after I posted the about response! If that's the case, PIA need to demonstrate some vision, growth and investment!!! Bring it on, but they have a lot of catching up to do, fare behind the likes of the MEB3, Turkish and even Air India!!!

 

[Brum X]

Qatar have been doing some research on BHX

http://www.incentivetravel.co.uk/news/a ... -the-skies

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there ray and all, a few points were going through my head last night about qatar, say if there first two seasons at bhx prove to be a lot more successful than they hoped, if they know anything about bhx future plans for the airport expansion - ie - a second runway and new terminal over by M42, this could be named Birmingham Airport, North Terminal 1. If they got together with Emirates, American Airlines, United Airlines and they each made a contribution towards the future second runway and terminal two, hopefully this may attract other airlines with long haul to want to contribute as well, so making the second runway and terminal two for international and worldwide connections, and existing terminal for all national and domestic and short haul...what a prospect this would be..then you would be looking at 20 million plus passengers... Andyc

 

[nwoody2001]

Sorry Andrew, but when you have the likes of Gatwick carrying 4x the amount of pax at BHX off a single runway, and when the government wont decide on building another runway in London even though 3 of its airports are near capacity, the need or want for BHX to have a second runway will not exist for another decade of so yet!

that said, a new or significantly expanded terminal is a real pressing need!!!

 

[jfy1999]

This is a review of the Business Class product on the Qatar Airways 787. What stands out for me is that the reviewer says it's lot better than the A330 and 777 products. I suppose it's not too surprising given it's a newer aircraft.

http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/ ... ess-class/

 

[BHXsupporter]

Re: Qatar Airways business seating on B787

Thanks. An interesting report on Qatar business class seats. Personally I wouldn't want to sit in those two isolated seats with no view and the hurly-burly around. Wrt the herring bone (reverse) seating, I've previously had excellent service from Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong to Melbourne but with the seat angled towards the window it's nigh on impossible to get close to the window and I do love to stare downwards at the ground. Same also with Virgin Atlantic where I wasn't even facing the window in the herringbone configuration looking mainly at everyone else's socks! :nea:

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Anyone else think that the structure above the door looks like the roof of Grand Central?

Kevin

 

[Ray Finkle]

They definitely do.

It's a good review and people I've spoken to that have experienced the 787 Business cabin have said that it is excellent.

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there ray, let's hope that when qatar new 787 dreamliner starts at the end of this month, let's hope that all the waiting and patience will pay off, and hopefully it will become a bigger success than qatar hoped for, by enabling them to hopefully open up more routes from Birmingham to other destinations, and show that Birmingham is as good as Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester are...Andyc

 

[IanFarquharson]

Qatar only fly to Doha !!

 

[Matt995]

A7-BDA QR35, just pinging on the ground Doha for the first flight!

 

[Ray Finkle]

Apologies that they're a little grainy, another 10 minutes and we'd have had beautiful morning sunshine

Welcome to Birmingham Qatar Airways

 

[Ianbutty]

Apologies that they're a little grainy, another 10 minutes and we'd have had beautiful morning sunshine

Welcome to Birmingham Qatar Airways

So good to see. Let's hope for more.

 

[Paulsstrange]

Excellant picks Ray lovely to see this start

 

[Ray Finkle]

Very impressive cake. Apparently the largest so far.

From BHX Twitter

 

[nwoody2001]

I actually think I see the arrival of Qatar as bigger news that the A380 as I think this opens up many more doors and opportunities as well as competition out of BHX. Until today, EK had a monopoly when it comes to established and well respected long haul connecting airlines. Yes Turkish is growing but are yet to get their in my opinion. As suck, EK we always going to grow because they do what they do at BHX well. However, now there is competition and choice out of BHX which I think, for this market, is only going to be a good thing.

The more choice and competition, the more ppl could be attracted to BHX. The more ppl passing through, the more data we will have with regard to justifying further long-haul routes.

Qatars growth potential, especially in the short term is also exciting. a double daily 788 carries circa 375,000 annually. Assuming/hoping that's its a case of when and not if, it will be interesting to see how long it takes Qatar to grow at BHX.

A great day, welling Qatar to the BHX party!

 

[Brummiegem]

I agree nwoody2001.
I believe the airlines under pressure at BHX are Air India and PIA.
The onward connections from Doha differ as well as mirror those from Dubai,if that makes sense.
Plus the competition will do everyone no harm at all.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I also agree.

You only have to look at what a bit of extra competition has done to grow other markets. We just need some more long haul leisure routes now to challenge Thomson.

Even Visit London Britain have finally realised that there is a whole new world outside of the Capital.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Qatar Airways Starts Service From Birmingham With Eight Weekly Boeing 787 Dreamliner Flights To Doha

Qatar Airways today inaugurated the airline’s fourth United Kingdom gateway, with direct flights between Doha and Birmingham connecting the city with more than 150 destinations worldwide.

The inaugural flight touched down at sunrise on 30 March and was greeted by a traditional water salute witnessed by a crowd of gathered media while Qatar Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer Dr. Hugh Dunleavy, who travelled on board the inaugural flight with U.K. Ambassador to Qatar, Mr. Ajay Sharma, was greeted at the arrival gate by Birmingham Airport’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Paul Kehoe.

The addition of Birmingham marks the fourth U.K. gateway for Qatar Airways after London Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh, with the eight weekly services operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “We are delighted to commence services to Birmingham, our fourth U.K gateway. This vibrant and economically powerful region represents an important addition to our worldwide network and is a testament to our commitment to the U.K. passengers now have access to more than 150 global destinations, accessed via 73 flights per week from the U.K., facilitated by smooth transfers through our home and hub, Hamad International Airport.”

Qatar Airways now operates 73 flights per week to the U.K., with 42 flights per week to London Heathrow, 16 to Manchester, seven to Edinburgh and eight to Birmingham, from its state-of-the-art hub, Hamad International Airport.

Hamad International Airport offers 40,000 square metres of combined retail, food and beverage facilities, establishing the airport as a premier shopping and dining destination. With more than 70 retail outlets offering an unprecedented selection of designer labels, high street fashion, electronics and gourmet foods, the airport also features an airside hotel, complete with swimming pool, squash courts and spa.

The British Ambassador to Qatar, His Excellency Mr. Ajay Sharma said: “I was delighted to be able to travel on the inaugural flight from Doha to Birmingham. The launch of this new route will open up further opportunities for both Qatar and the U.K. Just like Doha, Birmingham and the surrounding area is host to a number of investment projects and tourist destinations that will appeal to investors and visitors. I am certain that this route will successfully enhance the partnership between our two countries.”

Birmingham Airport Chief Executive Officer, Paul Kehoe said: “We are extremely excited to be welcoming Qatar Airways to Birmingham Airport. Connecting the economically vibrant West Midlands region with the rapidly developing capital city of Doha will be hugely beneficial to passengers at both ends of the route. Additionally, the large selection of onward connections on Qatar’s network gives our long-haul travellers access to more of the most popular destinations around the world from Birmingham.”

A recent survey of 1,000 people from Birmingham and the surrounding region commissioned by Qatar Airways in the United Kingdom showed that 65 per cent of respondents would be more likely to use a local West Midlands airport if it had better long-haul connections.

The results clearly show that travellers in the West Midlands are keen to fly from a local airport if it offers a choice of long-haul destinations to rival those available elsewhere. With eight flights a week, including two flights on Saturdays – the equivalent of over 2,000 seats – Qatar Airways passengers travelling from Birmingham will have access to the world’s most exciting destinations, all within one convenient and seamless transfer at the airline’s state-of-the-art hub, Hamad International Airport.

The Birmingham route is operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in a two-cabin configuration, comprising of 22 seats in Business Class and 232 Economy Class seats. All seats include individual television screens, with Economy Class customers benefitting from a screen 10.6 inches wide, offering the latest inflight entertainment comprised of up to 3,000 options, complimented by the airline’s award-winning service.

Every seat has direct aisle access in Business Class, where passengers can catch up on sleep in a fully-flat bed or make productive use of their time utilising the large work surface area. Passengers can also stay connected while travelling with the option of Wi-Fi which is available throughout the aircraft.

Qatar Airways’ home, Hamad International Airport, houses one of the world’s largest and most luxurious Business Class lounges – the Al Mourjan Business Lounge.

Connections between countries such as Pakistan and Australia from Birmingham have never been easier thanks to Qatar Airways. In Pakistan, the airline serves seven destinations including Karachi, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Peshawar and Islamabad. From 2nd March the airline commenced a new service to Sydney, Australia and from 2nd May Adelaide will also complement the existing Perth and Melbourne services.

https://birminghamairport.co.uk/media-information/news/2016/03/qatar-airways-starts-service-from-birmingham-with-eight-weekly-boeing-787-dreamliner-flights-to-doha/

 

[Ray Finkle]

Someone from Dnata on Twitter has remarked that they were 'very busy sending exports on Qatar'.