Boeing Delivers First 787 Dreamliner to Qatar Airways
Airline to be first in the Middle East to operate the 787 and also Dreamliner will support carrier’s global expansion plans
Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Qatar Airways today celebrated the delivery of the airline’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airplane, the first of 30 787s ordered by the Doha-based airline, is also the first to be delivered to an airline in the Middle East.
“We are delighted to receive our first Dreamliner, an aircraft which we expect will establish new benchmarks for reliability and comfort, when combined with Qatar Airways’ signature passenger experience,” said Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways. “Our decision to invest in this game-changing airplane, which represents the future of air travel, reflects our firm belief in its unrivaled capabilities and the value it will add to our fleet and network expansion plans.”
Made from composite materials, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first mid-size airplane capable of flying long-range routes and will allow airlines such as Qatar Airways to open new, non-stop routes preferred by the traveling public. The airline has announced that it will deploy the Dreamliner on services to Dubai, London Heathrow, Delhi and Zurich, with others planned as additional 787s join the fleet.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Qatar Airways is one of the most remarkable airline success stories of our time and it is only fitting that it has taken delivery of the most technologically advanced jetliner of our time,” said Ray Conner, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 787, with its unmatched fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, is certain to enable Qatar Airways’ plans to continue to deliver on its promise of quality and profitability. Today’s delivery marks the beginning of a new chapter in Boeing’s partnership with Qatar Airways, which is based on a mutual commitment to excellence.”
In addition to providing airlines with unprecedented fuel economy and low operating costs, the 787 features a host of new technologies that greatly enhance the passenger experience. Qatar Airways’ customers will also experience cabin environment improvements such as improved lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, lower cabin altitude and enhanced ventilation systems, among other features. The airline’s 787 cabins are configured with 22 seats in Business Class and 232 in Economy.
Qatar Airways’ first Boeing 787 is also the airline’s 32nd Boeing airplane and will join a fleet of 31 Boeing 777 passenger and cargo aircraft. The Doha-based airline currently flies to a global network of 120 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.