Q: You’ve just been voted World’s Best Airline for 2024 for the eighth time. Why is Qatar Airlines performing so well?
A: Qatar Airways is incredibly proud to be the only airline in the world to have won the Skytrax ‘World’s Best Airline’ eight times and the ‘World’s Best Business Class’ 11 times.
The awards are testimony that our dedication to ensuring that all passengers receive a premium service, regardless of where they may be sitting on the plane, has resonated.
Qatar Airways takes pride in constantly improving our onboard experience with innovative products, as we’re known to be always pushing the industry’s benchmark.
Our award-winning Qsuite business class is the perfect example, where we were the first airline to launch individual suites for a business class that offer different cabin configurations of double and quad settings, complete with other elements such as on-demand dining, commonly found only in first class cabins.
Most recently, we further upped the ante for our business class service by launching caviar service onboard for selected routes, including services between Doha, Sydney and Melbourne.
Q: The airline business is a really competitive one. How will you maintain your excellent performance figures in 2024 and beyond?
A: It sounds slightly cliched, but it’s important to always strive for excellence and innovation – if we feel we can enhance customer experience then it’s worth exploring.
Our recent announcements around our new Qsuite 2.0 and adding caviar to our business service highlight that we are not resting on our laurels.
Apart from our onboard services, the transit experience at Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha is also a highlight as HIA was voted Skytrax ‘World’s Best Airport’ 2024.
Transiting at HIA is also a unique experience as it recently unveiled a new extension that includes a tropical garden at the centre of the airport where a new Qatar Airways Al Mourjan business class lounge is.
This is in addition to myriad retail, hotel and lounge offerings, such as the exclusive Louis Vuitton Lounge in collaboration with Michelin Chef, Yannick Alleno. Thus, Australian passengers can look at their transit at HIA as a special attraction that adds to a more enriching travel experience.
Last but not least, working closely with our trade partners is also key in ensuring Qatar Airways’ success and we’re thankful for all the support given to us so far as we remain committed to serving the Australian market.
Q: You’ve been flying to Australia for many years and currently have 42 weekly flights to five different cities. Why is the Australian market so important to you?
A: Australia has been an important market for us since we started servicing the country in 2009.
Qatar Airways is so dedicated to serving the Australian market that we operated flights to Australia throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic period to provide crucial connectivity to help with global repatriation and bring Australians home safely.
This year marks our 15th anniversary and we’ve been made to feel very welcome throughout this period as we strive to provide the best possible service.
Our appetite to do so continues to grow and we’re always looking to expand our routes and frequency of flights to better serve the market.
Q: You’re also the official airline partner of The Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia in 2025. What do you hope to get out of this alliance?
A: The British & Irish Lions remain one of the most iconic sports teams, with supporters constantly travelling in their thousands for tours every four years.
Services between the UK, Ireland and Australia continue to be a part of our most popular routes and we are excited to offer our top-notch service to all the fans travelling over next year.
It’s going to be a big next few years for rugby union in Australia with next year’s aforementioned tour being followed by the men’s Rugby World Cup on these shores in 2027 – we’re keen to support the code in what promises to be an exciting period of re-build and growth.
Q: What kind of experience will Aussies get when they are onboard?
A: Being customer-centric is paramount for Qatar Airways as we aim to go above and beyond to ensure a seamless and premium experience for every customer touch point.
Passengers travelling in premium cabins can look forward to our award-winning food and beverage selection for a “fine dining in the air” experience.
This includes amazing Australian wines, a luxury amenity kit from French cult brand Diptyque, and premium loungewear from The White Company.
Q: Finally, can you reveal any plans you have for expansion in the future?
A: Product-wise, we are eagerly awaiting the rollout of the new Qsuite 2.0 next year which will be a crowd pleaser for the premium cabin category.
Business-wise, Qatar Airways most recently acquired a 25 per cent share in the independent African carrier, Airlink – it’s a key piece of business for us as an organisation, as we look to further develop our operations across the African continent, where we already fly 29 routes.
Regarding the Australian market, we’re always looking for opportunities to expand our routes and frequency of flights to provide a better service to Australians.
