Qatar Airways

[Jerry]

News

5 April
atar Airways To Bring the Airbus A350-900 To Cardiff To Mark The Inauguration Of The New Welsh Route
DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways is pleased to announce that the inaugural flight for its soon-to-launch Doha to Cardiff route will be flown using the ultra-modern Airbus A350-900 on the day of inauguration, in recognition of the aircraft’s links to Wales.

From 1 May 2018, Qatar Airways will be the first airline to offer daily flights between Doha and Cardiff, providing the Welsh capital with links to the rest of the world via Qatar Airways’ extensive global route network.

The A350-900, of which Qatar Airways was the Global Launch Customer and whose wings are built by Airbus in Wales, will mark the commencement of this exciting new route, which will go on to be served by another latest-generation aircraft, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “The launch of our new service to Cardiff is a major milestone for Qatar Airways. It makes sense that the inaugural flight that welcomes Qatar Airways to Wales is on the A350-900, as the wings of this very plane are built at the Airbus plant in Broughton, North Wales. The new service will connect the Welsh people with more destinations globally and provide them the opportunity to experience our unparalleled five-star service. We look forward to welcoming our new passengers on board and to connecting them to Doha and points beyond.”

Deb Barber, Chief Executive Officer of Cardiff Airport, added: “On behalf of the team at Cardiff Airport, I am immensely proud that world-class airline Qatar Airways has recognised the potential that exists within the region and chosen Cardiff Airport to operate a regular service to Doha from May 1st. The service opens up a world of connectivity for our customers in Wales and South West England to destinations across Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Asia and beyond.

“I am also very excited that Qatar Airways has chosen to mark the inaugural flight with the use of the A350-900. This is fantastic recognition of the aircraft’s links with Wales and the engineering prowess that we have here, and we very much look forward to welcoming this stunning aircraft to Cardiff Airport as part of the huge celebration when the new route begins in just a few weeks’ time.”

Following the inaugural flight, the new service between Doha and Cardiff will be served by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with 22 seats in Business Class, offering passengers direct aisle access with its 1-2-1 configuration, and 232 seats in Economy Class.

On board the Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner, lower altitude-equivalent pressure, improved air-quality and optimal humidity coupled with large, electronically dimmable windows create dramatic vistas and provide passengers with extra natural light. Full-spectrum LED lighting will help them adjust to changing time zones, allowing passengers to arrive at their destination feeling refreshed.

Qatar Airways currently serves London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, with service to London Gatwick to commence on 22 May 2018.

Qatar Airways proudly flies one of the youngest fleets in the sky, featuring the world’s most technologically-advanced and environmentally friendly aircraft. Qatar Airways operates more than 200 modern aircraft to a network of more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents. The airline plans a host of exciting new destinations for 2018/19, including Cebu and Davao, Philippines; Langkawi, Malaysia; Da Nang, Vietnam and Bodrum and Antalya, Turkey.

The launch of services to Cardiff follows a triumphant year of award wins. Qatar Airways currently holds the title of ‘Airline of the Year’ as awarded at the prestigious 2017 Skytrax World Airline Awards at the Paris Air Show, where the airline received a host of other notable accolades, including ‘Best Middle East Airline,’ ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge.’

Flight Schedules:

Cardiff (CWL) to Doha (DOH) QR 322 departs 15:55 arrives 00:45 (+1) (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat)

Doha (DOH) to Cardiff (CWL) QR 321 departs 07:25 arrives 12:50 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat)

Cardiff (CWL) to Doha (DOH) QR 324 departs 08:10 arrives 17:00 (Tue, Thu, Sun)

Doha (DOH) to Cardiff (CWL) QR 323 departs 01:15 arrives 06:40 (Tue, Thu, Sun)
https://www.cardiff-airport.com/new...mark-the-inauguration-of-the-new-welsh-route/

 

[Jerry]

The inaugural Qatar Airways flight on Tuesday 1st May 2018 will be on an A350 900 and will arrive at 12.50 and depart at 15.55.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

The inaugural Qatar Airways flight on Tuesday 1st May 2018 will be on an A350 900 and will arrive at 12.50 and depart at 15.55.

This is sure to be a big event. I wonder which WG 'dignitaries' will turn up, or will they leave it to their airport company senior officers? I think that would be the proper thing to do but with politicians........................

 

[Jerry]

This is sure to be a big event. I wonder which WG 'dignitaries' will turn up, or will they leave it to their airport company senior officers? I think that would be the proper thing to do but with politicians........................

Oh I'm pretty certain Carwyn Jones, Ken Skates and Alun Cairns will all be there to get as much political credit and photo opportunities as well!
I'm hoping to get the day off work for this as well originally wasn't going to but considering it'll be the only guarenteed A350 flight I'll be trying to get some video of it and Norwegian and Eurowings as well because i think they start on that day as well.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

The more I think of the 350 being used, I wonder what the general public will make of it. Those in the industry and those of us with an interest in the subject know that it is a step up in terms of size, and I am aware of the Welsh manufacturing link with the type (with one poster on another forum seeming to believe the Welsh Government should demand a 350 instead of an American Boeing all the time because of this), but does the wider public recognise an increase in prestige?

The 'Dreamliner' tag seems a very good publicity ploy by Boeing and has caught the imagination of much of the travelling public who otherwise don't have much interest in aviation for its own sake. I spoke to someone the other day who knows of my interest in the subject and they expressed delight that they were to be flying on a Dreamliner on their next trip to Cape Verde. Would they have had the same reaction if they were to fly on an Airbus 350-900 or a Boeing 787 for that matter? It would probably be just another aircraft to many.

What I'm trying to ask in a rambling sort of way is whether the 350 really does carry a cachet in the eyes of most people (who are not aviation enthusiasts) when compared with the 787's alter ego, the Dreamliner.

 

[Jerry]

What I'm trying to ask in a rambling sort of way is whether the 350 really does carry a cachet in the eyes of most people (who are not aviation enthusiasts) when compared with the 787's alter ego, the Dreamliner.

For many i doubt it will make a difference as many won't know the difference but the Dreamliner is a well known brand now so for some it will have the wow factor i suppose. The main thing for many will be that there is a regular wide body service from the airport and in their eyes that makes it a more 'proper' airport.

 

[Sean123]

I suppose you could argue that as cwl has a ba mro opperation that deals with boeing ' not airbus then the dreamliner has just as much prestige as the airbus , in fact dont they now maintain the 787 aswell ?

 

[Jerry]

I suppose you could argue that as cwl has a ba mro opperation that deals with boeing ' not airbus then the dreamliner has just as much prestige as the airbus , in fact dont they now maintain the 787 aswell ?

Yep BAMC has seen BA 787s as well as a few Norwegians. Should come in handy if Qatar get any tech problems!

 

[aviatorconcorde]

I suppose you could argue that as cwl has a ba mro opperation that deals with boeing ' not airbus then the dreamliner has just as much prestige as the airbus , in fact dont they now maintain the 787 aswell ?

Actually that will change after 2019 when BA take their A350's!

 

[Sean123]

Will bamc be maintaining the a350 then ?

 

[Jerry]

Will bamc be maintaining the a350 then ?

I doubt it. It's a Boeing facility, so 787 8s 9s and 10s and 777s and a slowly diminishing 747 fleet is what we'll see being maintained there I'd have thought.

 

[aviatorconcorde]

I doubt it. It's a Boeing facility, so 787 8s 9s and 10s and 777s and a slowly diminishing 747 fleet is what we'll see being maintained there I'd have thought.

They will be according to my friend who works at BAMC. Although it's a Boeing facility, the 747 fleet will get smaller while the A350 fleet grows.

The A350's arrive in 2019 so will probably be 2022/3 until they really require heavy overhaul. The 747's will all be gone in 2024 so that maintenance capacity has to go somewhere.

 

[Sean123]

diminishing 747 's ! you can't beat parking at the end of the runway (porthkerry) as a 747 or as we oldies say a jumbo comes in over the bristol channel !

 

[Jerry]

They will be according to my friend who works at BAMC. Although it's a Boeing facility, the 747 fleet will get smaller while the A350 fleet grows.

The A350's arrive in 2019 so will probably be 2022/3 until they really require heavy overhaul. The 747's will all be gone in 2024 so that maintenance capacity has to go somewhere.

I'm surprised at that but it's great for Cardiff and BAMC!

 

[Jerry]

diminishing 747 's ! you can't beat parking at the end of the runway (porthkerry) as a 747 or as we oldies say a jumbo comes in over the bristol channel !

And hopefully I'll get a photo and video of 1 one day!

 

[aviatorconcorde]

I'm surprised at that but it's great for Cardiff and BAMC!

Yes indeed!

Obviously plans change mind but hopefully this is what will happen.

 

[aviatorconcorde]

Interesting article from Wales online today.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/busin...ardiff-14508058.amp?__twitter_impression=true

Looks like the airbus "jumbo jet" is flying the inaugural and the 787 is getting a first class cabin.

Jokes aside - it doesn't make a difference to Joe Public and good on Wales online for getting the word out there.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Interesting article from Wales online today.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/busin...ardiff-14508058.amp?__twitter_impression=true

Looks like the airbus "jumbo jet" is flying the inaugural and the 787 is getting a first class cabin.

Jokes aside - it doesn't make a difference to Joe Public and good on Wales online for getting the word out there.

Sion Barry has always been a positive influence when it comes to debating CWL in the local press. You'd think he'd know the difference between business-class and first-class though; the fares would give a clue for starters.

 

[Jerry]

I posted my passenger stats on WAF as well and one of the comments about it concerning Qatar Airways was that on a good day the airport would be lucky to see a 30% LF on the flights. I found that an interesting comment especially as the poster hasn't said how he knows that info or is able to predict it.
I guess in 15 days we will start to get more info about the loads as the flights start then!

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I posted my passenger stats on WAF as well and one of the comments about it concerning Qatar Airways was that on a good day the airport would be lucky to see a 30% LF on the flights. I found that an interesting comment especially as the poster hasn't said how he knows that info or is able to predict it.
I guess in 15 days we will start to get more info about the loads as the flights start then!

I don't know where those figures came from. Only the airline will know the state of bookings to date and I suppose it might give the airport a broad idea of how things are looking. Given that Qatar's CEO has said publicly that he took the decision to begin the CWL route, and that not all his senior staff were in agreement, CWL is likely to be given lots of leeway to build up the route, if that is required.

There is no doubt that 1 May will be one of the most important days in the airport's history.