Qatar Airways to Launch Direct Flight to Atlanta on First of June

Atlanta, May 18 (QNA) - Qatar Airways announced Wednesday that direct flights to Atlanta will commence 1 June, 2016. Atlanta is the 10th destination the airline serves in the United States, connecting to Qatar Airways home at Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, to more than 150 destinations worldwide. The route between Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) and Hamad International Airport (HIA) will be operated daily non-stop with a Boeing 777, with the exception of the first flight which will be deployed with an Airbus A380 super-jumbo for one day only, on 1 June, Qatar Airways said during a press conference held in Atlanta to discuss its new service. Qatar Airways third new destination to the United States this year, Atlanta, follows the start of services to Los Angeles on 1 January and Boston on 16 March. Since 2007, with the airlines first route to New York, services have exponentially grown, with America having an ever-increasing importance for Qatar Airways customers. More than 5,000 seats are flown each day between Qatar and the United States, spread across the airlines gateways. Atlanta is expected to be a key route for business and leisure traffic, conveniently connecting the Far East, Africa and the Middle East regions to the State of Georgia, positively impacting business, conference and convention attendance, and family and friends visitor traffic. Addressing media in Atlanta at the press conference, the airlines Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker spoke about the airlines expansion strategy, including the third phase of the worlds newest greenfield airport, Hamad International Airport, the hub and home of Qatar Airways. Currently in its second year of operations, HIA is ranked one of the worlds top 10 airports and best in the Middle East. The airport features art installations, sculptures, 18 lounges, childrens play zones and relaxation areas, among other amenities. "We know passengers want more than just travel; they want an in-flight experience that provides comfort, from the design of the seat to the quality of the cuisine, to the range of entertainment options available. These elements matter more now than ever before, as we witness the increasing trend of long haul and ultra-long haul travel. Our network, much like our on-board product, is optimised for long journeys, offering customers fast and seamless transfers at our home airport, or the option to extend your time in Doha to experience the worlds finest airport. We want to go places together with our customers, to be part of their journey and contribute to a memorable experience," he said. Flying to six continents with over 150 destinations on its route map, Qatar Airways is a full service global carrier, operating a mixed fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft with an average fleet age of just five years. Currently ranked as Best Airline in the World for the third time by Skytrax, the aviation industry benchmark for passenger satisfaction, with over 18 million people voting annually. Qatar Airways has received the vote of confidence from its worldwide passengers, serving more than 30 million annually. (QNA)