Qatar Airways' Airbus A350 lands in the U.S.

Qatar Airways had an early Christmas gift for passengers in the United States looking to make the non-stop long-haul to Doha: the fast-growing airline landed its new Airbus A350 at JFK airport in New York City, becoming the first carrier to offer the state-of-the-art aircraft in the United States.

“I believe our loyal guests in the United States and the new customers we look forward to welcoming on board will appreciate all of the smart, small details that make a very big difference,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker of the new plane, speaking at a press conference at the Peninsula Hotel in downtown Manhattan on Wednesday.

An XWB (extra wide body) machine powered by two new-generation Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, each powering 84,000lb of powerful, yet quiet thrust, the A350 stands out as one of the more tech-savvy and innovative aircrafts on the market today, a notion PAX got to experience first-hand on an intimate tour of the plane at JFK airport this week.

Boasting wider-than-usual seats in both economy and business classes, the aircraft offers impressive features designed to improve the passenger experience, such as advanced air conditioning technology, LED mood lighting and an entertainment system offering up to 2,000 movies complimented by a remote Android smart pad system.

Passengers in business class can enjoy a chic bar space, complimentary travel kits produced by Giorgio Armani, and a high-tech seat with back massage options that instantly transforms into a full-flat bed (mattress and pajamas included).

Qatar Airways acquired the Airbus A350 last year, becoming the first operator to do so, making its mark as a Global Launch Customer. Its first two commercial flights operated between Frankfurt and Doha’s new hub, Hamad International Airport, last January. Triple daily services to Singapore followed and a daily flight to Munich was added last October. In 2016, the Airbus A350 will fly from Doha to Philadelphia starting in January; it will add a route to Boston in March, and a second daily to JFK in New York City in April.

Qatar Airways has since ordered 80 A350 models to add to its existing fleet of 173 aircrafts, which include 30 Boeing 777-300ERs, 39 Airbus A320s, and 25 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, among many others.

“Every decision we make is designed to meet the needs of our guests,” said Al Baker, adding that Qatar Airways will also introduce a new service to Los Angeles starting January 1, 2016.  “As you can see we have big plans for our guests in the United States.”

And you could say the 18-year-old airline is taking those plans seriously. Qatar Airways recently consolidated all of its United States offices and opened a new flagship office in the Empire State Building. 

“New York is the center of the universe, they say,” said Al Baker, referring to the arrival of the Airbus A350 into the United States as a “milestone event” for Qatar Airways. “This is a city where if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.”

Qatar Airways also used their press conference as an opportunity to debut their new global television commercial, part of the airline's 'Going Places Together' campaign that plays on the idea of achieving wonderful things in work and family life, and encourages passengers to fulfill their dreams and adventures. 

The airline also debuted their new safety video, a creative soccer game-inspired film featuring star players from the FC Barcelona soccer team, which Qatar Airways sponsors.

On Qatar Airways’ new campaign, Al Baker said: “It’s not just Jennifer Aniston. It’s not Nicole Kidman. Our brand new campaign is much bigger than a celebrity. It’s about all of us, going places together.”

Other unique features of the Airbus A350 include:

• Revolutionary airframe and systems designed to optimize fuel burn (engines that have the lowest CO2 emissions of any aircraft in the widebody category).

• Highly aerodynamic wings made from the world’s largest single pieces of carbon-fibre composite material.


• 36 business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access, 80-inch full-flat beds, and 17-inch HD in-flight entertainment screens.

• 247 economy class 18-inch wide seats in a 3-3-3 configuration offering 10.6-inch entertainment screens and more space at shoulder level due to vertical side wall panels.

• WiFi is available in all classes.

• Window seats that offer wide, panoramic views, with windows that transition from fully transparent to 100 per cent light-blocking.

• Optimal cabin air quality (air exchange every two to three minutes) so passengers don’t feel dry and tired upon arrival. 


For more on Qatar Airways, go to www.qatarairways.com.