Tag: Qatar Airways

Singapore Airlines To Launch World’s Longest Flight

May 30, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Singapore Airlines Ltd said it would launch the world’s longest commercial flight in October, a near-19 hour non-stop journey from Singapore to the New York area.

The 8,277 nautical mile (15,329 kilometre) flight from Singapore to Newark, New Jersey with 161 business class and premium economy seats will eclipse the 7,843 nautical mile Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Auckland as the world’s longest, according to airline data provider OAG.

Airlines including Singapore Airlines, Australia’s Qantas Airways Ltd and U.S.-based United Continental Holdings Inc are adding ultra-long haul flights that can capture an airfare premium of around 20 percent versus flights involving one or more stops.

The Singapore-Newark flight marks the return of a popular route for Singapore Airlines. The carrier had flown the marathon flights until 2013, when high fuel prices made the use of four-engine Airbus SE A340-500 jets uneconomic. It has since flown to New York’s JFK Airport via Frankfurt.

Singapore Airlines is Airbus’ first and to date only customer for the A350-900ULR, an ultra-long range version of the fuel-efficient twin-engine A350 jet.

Qantas has said it is considering the purchase of the A350-900ULR or Boeing Co’s 777X to allow it to fly non-stop from Sydney to London from 2022, an even longer 9,200 nautical mile journey.

Singapore Airlines said on Wednesday that it also plans to introduce non-stop flights from Singapore to Los Angeles with the A350-900ULR at a later date.

The airline expects to receive its first A350-900ULR in September, with all seven on order due by the end of the year.

(Reporting by Jamie Freed; Editing by Himani Sarkar)

In the news for January 22, 2018

January 22, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

Tiny Toilets On American Airlines 737 MAX Annoy Flight Attendants.

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Tiny bathrooms

Norwegian Airlines Sets Record for Fastest Transatlantic Flight.

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Norwegian Airlines sets record

Qatar Airways says delivery of first Airbus A350-1000 delayed.

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Qatar Airways Airbus A350-1000

Air Lease CEO says momentum building for new Boeing mid-sized jet.

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New Boeing midsize jet

Qatar Airways Launching New Service to Penang

December 3, 2017 / WIL BALDWIN

Qatar Airways has announced it will launch new nonstop service to Penang beginning on February 6, 2018. The Penang flights will be the airline’s second Malaysian destination, adding to its current service to the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur that began in December of 2001. The airline will fly three times a week to Penang with its state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which features 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class, with spacious cabins and specially-designed interiors. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner also offers lower altitude-equivalent pressure, improved air quality and optimal humidity, enabling passengers to arrive at their destination feeling refreshed. Passengers will be also able to enjoy the airline’s superior in-flight entertainment system, offering a multitude of entertainment options.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Malaysia has long been one of our most sought-after destinations, and as such, we are delighted to launch a new direct service to Penang, offering our passengers a second gateway into the country. With three weekly flights between Doha and Penang, we are sure travellers to this exotic holiday destination will be enchanted by both Penang’s magnificent natural scenery and our unrivalled five-star onboard service.”

As part of the airlines continued expansion in Asia, the airline also recently announced the addition of extra services to the Thai city of Krabi, as well as to the Vietnamese cities of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, to commence in December 2017 and January 2018, respectively. In December, Qatar Airways will launch service to Thailand’s Chiang Mai, its fourth destination in Thailand, to meet increased demand for Southeast Asian destinations from holiday-makers.

Qatar, will be adding many more exciting destinations to its network in 2017 and 2018, including Canberra, Australia; St. Petersburg, Russia and Cardiff, UK, to name a few. The national carrier of the State of Qatar is one of the fastest-growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now celebrating its twentieth year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft flying to business and leisure destinations across six continents.

Flight Schedule:

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Doha (DOH) to Penang (PEN) QR850 departs: 02:30 arrives 14:30

Penang (PEN) to Doha (DOH) QR851 departs: 20:30 arrives 23:20

Qatar Airways to buy stake in Hong Kong based Cathay Pacific

November 7, 2017 / WIL BALDWIN

Qatar Airways has agreed to buy a 9.6% stake in Hong Kong based Cathay Pacific Airways for $660 million. The investment comes as Qatar Airways has been searching for ways to expand globally for the last few years. The air carrier, based in the State of Qatar in the Persian Gulf region, recently dropped an unsolicited bid for a 10% stake in U.S. based American Airlines Group. Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific are both members of the oneworld frequent flier alliance, which allows each carrier’s customers to earn and redeem miles on the other’s flights.

The investment is the first by a Middle East air carrier in an Asian airline. The deal also comes on the heels of Qatar Airways purchasing a 20% stake in British Airways parent International Consolidated Airlines Group, a 10% stake in South America’s LATAM Airlines Group, and a 49% stake in Meridiana Airlines of Italy. The leading air carriers in the world have been investing in other regional airlines to try and expand their global footprint, but the strategy has been hit and miss. The collapse of both Alitalia and Air Berlin followed the cutoff of funding by their partner Etihad Airways. American Airlines last March committed to investing $200 million in China Southern Airlines in a bid to access a bigger share of China’s growing travel market. That deal represented around 2.8% of China Southern’s shares.

Management at American Airlines showed no interest in any involvement Qatar Airways. The U.S. carrier opposed the unsolicited offer, which came as American, Delta and United are all publicly accusing Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Emirates of receiving unfair subsidies from their governments. The North American carriers have been lobbying the U.S. government to restrict the Middle East carriers rights to fly to the United States. Since 2004, proven subsidies to the 3 Gulf carriers have totaled almost $50 billion. This has allowed them to expand without the normal financial realities by which privately held airlines must abide.

Singapore Airlines To Launch World’s Longest Flight

In the news for January 22, 2018

Qatar Airways Launching New Service to Penang

Qatar Airways to buy stake in Hong Kong based Cathay Pacific

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