Qatar Airways Brings Five-Star Service To London’s Heathrow Terminal 4
Shout-Africa Travel News
London, UNITED KINGDOM – Qatar Airways has announced it will move operations at London Heathrow to the airport’s Terminal 4 (T4) from 8 December 2010. The Doha-based carrier’s switch from Terminal 3 follows the completion of a multi-million pound upgrade that sees T4 now offer passengers improved amenities, enhanced baggage facilities as well as a wider selection of restaurants and retail stores.
All Qatar Airways departures and arrivals at London Heathrow will be through T4 and the airline’s passengers will benefit from a dedicated spacious check-in area in the terminal’s Zone A. Qatar Airways First and Business Class passengers and Gold and Silver Privilege Club card holders will be able to access the terminal’s Skyteam lounge.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said that the airline’s new services at T4 will be further enhanced as the airline plans to install a dedicated lounge for its Premium customers. The new lounge will be the first of its kind for Qatar Airways outside its operational hub in Doha and is due to open in the second half of 2011.
“Qatar Airways’ move to Terminal 4 at London Heathrow allows the airline to further enhance our 5-Star services for our passengers. As one of our busiest routes, London plays an important part in our overall route network and we are delighted to be enhancing our operation here,” said Al Baker.
“The move will culminate with the building of our first dedicated lounge for our First and Business Class passengers outside of our Doha hub. Qatar Airways will bring the best of its award-winning Premium Terminal concept in Doha to London Heathrow,” he added.
Qatar Airways recently introduced its flagship Boeing 777 aircraft for the first time on one of its European routes, operating daily between London Heathrow and its Doha hub. Qatar Airways currently operates six flights a day between the UK and Qatar – four-a-day from London Heathrow; and daily from both London Gatwick and Manchester.
In November 2006, the Doha-based airline was the first in the world to introduce a dedicated terminal for its first and Business Class passenger. The Premium Terminal subsequently went on to collect industry accolades globally for its unique concept and its unrivalled levels of luxury. The same award-winning approach achieved with the Premium Terminal will be employed in the airline’s London Heathrow lounge.
By 2013, Qatar Airways plans to serve 120 key business and leisure destinations worldwide with a modern fleet of 120 aircraft. Today, the airline’s fleet stands at 93 aircraft, flying to 95 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North and South America.
Qatar Airways will operate a fleet of 120 aircraft by 2013, by which time its global network will rise to 120 destinations. The airline has ordered 80 Airbus A350s, 24 Airbus A320 Family of aircraft, 60 Boeing 787s and 32 Boeing 777s, with deliveries of the latter having started in November 2007. The carrier has aircraft orders for more than 200 jets worth over US$40 billion pending delivery and is one of the customers of the twin-deck Airbus A380 ‘super jumbos’ with five on order and scheduled for delivery from 2012, by which time the New Doha International Airport would have opened.
