The skies over Europe and the Middle East are getting a bit swankier: Qatar Airways has announced the launch of a new daily all-premium Business Class service from its hub in Doha to London Heathrow.
The new service, set to launch on May 15, will be the first of its kind in the Middle East, with an Airbus A319 aircraft fitted with an all Business Class, single-aisle, 2–2 seating configuration offering 40 seats that recline into fully flat beds. Nice touch: Passengers will be able to use SMS mobile texting GSM and GPRS service in-flight. (Staying in touch with friends and family is definitely a perk.)
Qatar Airways currently operates five daily flights to London Heathrow, and the additional sixth flight will step up the frequency on the Doha – London Heathrow route from 35 to 42 weekly services. The new flight will depart Doha (QR015) at 2:50 p.m., arrives in London Heathrow 8:25 p.m. Depart London Heathrow (QR016) at 9:55 p.m., arrives in Doha 6:40 a.m.
As part of its expansion program, Qatar Airways will launch routes to eight new destinations during 2014: Sharjah (UAE) from March 1; Dubai World Central (UAE) from March 1; Philadelphia (USA) from April 2; Larnaca (Cyprus) from April 29; Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (Turkey) from May 22; Edinburgh (Scotland) from May 28; Miami (USA) from June 10 and Dallas/Fort Worth (USA) from July 1.