Qatar Airways to join oneworld alliance on October 30

by BA Staff

Doha-based Qatar Airways will become a full member of oneworld®, the alliance of airlines, from Wednesday 30 October 2013, becoming the first of the GB3 (Gulf Big 3) slated to join any of the global airline alliances.

It received clearance to board oneworld after successfully completing a thorough review of its readiness, conducted by British Airways, which is sponsoring Qatar Airways’ entry into the alliance, with oneworld’s central team.

Qatar Airways completes its oneworld implementation programme just one year after receiving its invitation to join, announced at a press conference in the alliance’s New York home in October 2012. This will make its induction into oneworld one of the fastest in the alliance’s history. Normally it takes around 18 months for any airline to be readied to enter any alliance.

Qatar Airways’ addition to oneworld will come shortly before the airline moves into its new home base, Hamad International Airport, which has been designed to strengthen Doha’s position as a premium global hub, with an eventual capacity for 50 million passengers a year.

From Wednesday, October 30, Qatar Airways will offer oneworld’s full range of services and benefits. The three million members of Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club loyalty programme will enjoy frequent flyer privileges whenever they fly with any oneworld member airlines – airberlin, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines and some 30 affiliated airlines. This includes earning and redeeming Qmiles for awards and earning Qpoints for tier status when flying with all these airlines.

oneworld member airlines with designate Qatar Airways

Privilege Club Platinum cardholders will have Emerald status in the oneworld programme. Privilege Club Gold will be equivalent to oneworld Sapphire and Privilege Club Silver will be oneworld Ruby.

From 30 October, Privilege Club Platinum and Gold members will be able to access 550 airport lounges worldwide offered by oneworld member airlines when they fly with one of the alliance’s carriers. Qatar Airways’ First and Business Class passengers will also be able to use oneworld partner airline lounges.

Also from 30 October, the 130 million members of the established oneworld airlines’ frequent flyer programmes will be able to earn and redeem awards and tier status points and receive all other oneworld benefits on Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways is already participating in Global Explorer, the round-the-world fare offered by all oneworld members and various airlines that are not part of the alliance.

More than 20 of its destinations and five countries – Ethiopia, Iran, Rwanda, Serbia and Tanzania – will be new to the oneworld map. More significantly, Qatar Airways will substantially strengthen the alliance’s customer offering by providing superior routing alternatives across many hundreds of city pairs. For example, passengers flying between Asia and Southern Europe or between Asia and Africa will now have convenient one-stop connections not previously available within the oneworld network.

The alliance is currently undergoing the biggest expansion in its history with:

• The addition of Malaysia Airlines, one of this industry’s most frequent award winners, six months ago, further strengthening oneworld’s position in South East Asia, one of the fastest growing regions for air travel demand.
• The switch in the second quarter of next year to oneworld from the Star Alliance by TAM, the leading airline in Latin America’s leading economy, Brazil, along with its Paraguayan affiliate, following the addition to oneworld on 1 October 2013 of the newest member of the LAN group, LAN Colombia, solidifying oneworld’s position as the leading alliance in Latin America.
• The introduction early next year of SriLankan Airlines, as the first airline from the Indian subcontinent to join any global alliance, which, with Qatar Airways, will make oneworld the leading alliance in the region.
• In addition, US Airways proposes to switch from Star to oneworld as part of its planned merger with American Airlines, subject to necessary approvals.

With Qatar Airways and the other airlines lining up to join, oneworld will:

• Serve almost a thousand airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,000 daily departures.
• Carry 480 million passengers a year on a combined fleet of almost 3,500 aircraft.
• Generate US$ 140 billion annual revenues.

Qatar Airways’ oneworld implementation programme has represented one of the most extensive projects in the airline’s 16-year history, with working groups covering some 20 streams of activity. Projects are nearing completion to bring its various internal processes and procedures into line with the alliance’s requirements, and extensive employee training and communications programmes are now underway at Qatar Airways and the alliance’s established members, to ensure they are ready to provide oneworld’s customer services and benefits across the expanded alliance from 30 October.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said:

“In Qatar Airways’ relatively short history, we have quickly established a reputation for innovation, quality and excellence in everything we do. We are pleased to build on that by becoming the only major airline from the Gulf to date to be joining any of the global airline alliances. We are proud to entering the best of them, in oneworld – and to be doing so in record quick time. We very much look forward to flying alongside some of the best airlines in the world from 30 October, bringing the heightened benefits offered by oneworld to our customers.”

oneworld CEO Bruce Ashby said:

“Quality has always been the hallmark of oneworld, so we are pleased to be adding to our alliance another of the world’s highest quality airlines, in Qatar Airways. oneworld aims to be the first choice alliance for frequent international travelers the world over. Qatar Airways will significantly improve our connectivity between many of the destinations that are most important to those customers. We look forward to welcoming it and its customers on board the world’s leading airline alliance.”

Images courtesy oneworld and Qatar Airways

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Qatar Airways commences services to Chicago

by Devesh Agarwal

Qatar Airways’ commenced its thrice-weekly passenger services between Doha and Chiacgo, The Windy City. Chicago will become the 126th destination for the middle east carrier, and its fourth US gateway after New York JFK, Washington Dulles, and Houston George Bush Intercontinental.

The Doha Chicago route is being operated with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a two-class configuration of 293 seats in Economy Class and 42 in Business Class.

Flight QR991 arrived to a warm welcome at a grand airport ceremony attended by a number of dignitaries, including Qatar’s Ambassador to the United States of America His Excellency Mr. Mohamad Bin Abdulla Al-Rumaihi, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker and airport officials.

Current schedule

QR991 departs Doha 08:00, arrives Chicago 14:30 Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
QR992 departs Chicago 20:55 Tue, Thu, Sat, arrives Doha 18:25 the following day

The service will move to a daily schedule from June 15th with no change in flight timings.

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Qatar Airways not interested in any Indian airline at present

by Devesh Agarwal

Doha based Qatar Airways denied any interest in investing in any carrier in India at present.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said

“Qatar Airways categorically denies it is interested in investing in Spicejet or any other Indian airline. This is pure speculation by individuals who deliberately want to spread such unfounded rumours to raise the stock value of their entities.

“India is a huge market and a potentially lucrative one. While we have expressed interest in expanding our presence in India, we will only be interested in any potential investment once we are sure regulations and laws are properly liberalised. I can confirm we are currently not talking to any Indian airline.”

Qatar Airways issued this statement after rumours linking it to SpiceJet came out, causing a huge bump in the latter's share prices.

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Post your views: Topic of the week: Global alliances accept the Middle East Big 3 (MEB 3)

This topic this week is focussed on the Gulf region home of the fast rising behemoths Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad.

The last few days have been startling to say the least. From competing head-on, the airlines of the world, have accepted, nay welcomed, the Middle East Big 3 (MEB3) of Emirates, Qatar, and Etihad.

A few weeks back the shocker of an announcement, Australia's QANTAS was dumping oneworld partner, and virtual cousin, British Airways, in favour of (gasp) Emirates!!!! and.... QANTAS, the second largest airline at Singapore Changi airport, will shift its base to Dubai!!!!!

Then the week began with news that Abu Dhabi based Etihad is signing a long term partnership with SkyTeam founders Air France-KLM and in a rare instance of cross alliance cooperation, Air France and KLM will code share with oneworld member airberlin, in which, Etihad, has an almost 29% stake. SkyTeam cooperating with oneworld cooperating with MEB3 mon dieu!!!! H'as the world gone mad?!?!?

On Tuesday came the announcement that Qatar Airways is joining the oneworld alliance and its mentor is, yes you guessed it, British Airways. Willie Walsh to Alan Joyce, I say, good show. What chaps??

What are your thoughts?

Have the MEB3 become mainstream? With their global footprint, will they benefit or wreak havoc on their partners over the long term? Can the oneworld CEOs contain Mr. Akbar Al Baker?

Share your views. Talk back to your fellow readers.

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Qatar Airways to join oneworld alliance

Doha based, Qatar Airways is to join oneworld® airline alliance. Its election as a oneworld member designate was announced today at a press conference in New York.

The Doha-based airline's implementation into oneworld is expected to take between 12 and 18 months. British Airways will serve as the carrier's sponsor in joining oneworld. This move comes close on the heals of British Airways' close partner Qantas entering in to a strategic partnership with Gulf behemoth, and Qatar's strong competitor, Emirates airline.

Qatar Airways will be oneworld's second member airline based in the Middle East, alongside Royal Jordanian, which joined oneworld in 2007. In just 15 years of operations, Qatar Airways has built up a strong network serving 120 destinations in 70 countries. The airline operates over 100 flights a week to India, second only to Emirates.

Qatar Airways already code-shares with oneworld member designate Malaysia Airlines. It will develop bilateral links with more airlines in the alliance as it moves towards becoming a member of the group. Two oneworld member airlines currently serve Qatar's Doha hub - British Airways from London, and Royal Jordanian from Amman, along with member elect SriLankan, from Colombo. Additionally London is a major focus destination for Qatar Airways. The airline recently opened an ultra-premium lounge at Heathrow airport.

Among those alongside Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker at today's New York press conference to welcome the airline to oneworld were American Airlines' Chairman and Chief Executive Tom Horton, Chairman of the oneworld Governing Board; Chief Executive of IAG, parent of British Airways and Iberia, Willie Walsh; oneworld CEO Bruce Ashby; and senior representatives from other oneworld member airlines.

L-R Tom Horton (American), Akbar Al Baker (Qatar), Willie Walsh (IAG), Bruce Ashby (oneworld)

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said:

"Alliances are playing an increasingly important role in the airline industry today - and that will continue long into the future. Qatar Airways has carefully reviewed its strategic options and it is very clear that joining oneworld is by far the best way forward for us as we look to strengthen our competitive offering and give passengers what they fully deserve - more choice. Like Qatar Airways, oneworld is focused on quality and providing the best connections between the places most important to today's frequent international travellers.

"In Qatar Airways' relatively short history, we have quickly established a reputation for innovation, quality and excellence in everything we do, raising standards which our industry peers have watched with envy. We are pleased to build on that by becoming the only major airline from the Gulf to date to be invited to join any of the global airline alliances - and we are proud to have been invited to join the best of them, in oneworld. We look forward to completing all the joining requirements as soon as possible, and to fly alongside some of the best airlines in the world long into the future, bringing heightened benefits offered by oneworld to our customers."

American Airlines' Chairman and Chief Executive Tom Horton, Chairman of the oneworld Governing Board, said:

"Quality has always been the hallmark of oneworld, so we are pleased to welcome to our alliance another of the world's highest quality airlines. oneworld aims to be the first choice alliance for frequent international travelers the world over. Adding Qatar Airways will significantly improve our connectivity between many of the destinations that are most important to those customers, so today's agreement with Qatar Airways will enable us to offer even more value."

Willie Walsh, Chief Executive of IAG, parent of British Airways and Iberia, said:

"In Qatar Airways, oneworld is pleased to welcome another great airline that will enhance oneworld's network and product offerings in one of the world's fastest growing regions for air travel demand. Its fine reputation for customer service mirrors oneworld's own focus. British Airways is delighted to be serving as the sponsor of Qatar Airways in joining oneworld."

oneworld CEO Bruce Ashby added:

"The big three Gulf carriers have been embraced by millions of consumers the world over - just as consumers have embraced global airline alliances. Our own analysis clearly demonstrated that Qatar Airways is the best fit for oneworld's network, requirements, philosophy and strategy. oneworld is delighted to be the first of the global alliances to welcome a member airline from this region, enabling us to be the first to offer consumers the services and benefits offered by both a global alliance and a Gulf carrier. We look forward to welcoming another great airline to oneworld.

"oneworld's flexible approach to bilateral cooperation with carriers outside our alliance means that links already established between our member airlines with other carriers from this region may continue in tandem with Qatar Airways' addition to oneworld, further strengthening the choice and convenience we collectively offer our customers."

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Boeing makes Qatar Airways' first 787 first flight ahead of Farnborough air show

Boeing has achieved some peace of mind, by making the first flight of Qatar Airways' first 787 Dreamliner, just ahead of the upcoming Farnborough air show.

The airline's capricious CEO, Mr. Akbar Al Baker, is known for his non-diplomatic criticism, often seen as tantrums, of airframe manufacturers, especially at air shows. Boeing's competitor Airbus, was at the receiving end of his ire at the recent Dubai air show. Boeing with its delivery delays of the 787 has come in for severe criticism by Al Baker since 2009. 


First flights of early adopters of the 787, Japan Air Lines and Air India, did not merit a mention on the blog of Randy Tinseth, Boeing's Vice President, Marketing, but the first 787 flight of Qatar Airways sure did. A good outflanking move by Boeing to ensure it peace of mind at Farnborough.

Image courtesy Randy Tinseth's blog.

Qatar Airways is expected to take delivery of five 787's this year. The airline has repeated stated its intention on being the first, to offer 787 Dreamliner flights to and from London.

The Qatar 787 will be displayed at Farnborough as part of airline's UK publicity drive since the London route is very important to it. After the show Qatar plans to put the aircraft in to regional service within the Gulf for several weeks to train crews. The airline is expected to launch its 787 London service in late August.

The balance aircraft will be put in to service on other prestigious routes as they are delivered. We are posting one picture from Randy's blog. Please visit his blog and see the rest.

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