The 'Design for a Decade'

摘要

The introduction of the first Airbus A350-900 (A7-ALA, msn 6) into the Qatar Airways fleet at the beginning of the year meant more than just a new aircraft for the carrier. The twin-jet type will be a platform for the airline's expansion - with a total of 80 A350s forming the backbone of the Gulf company's fleet - but the new type is not the only planned change. When A7-ALA was welcomed in Doha on January 7, it was parked in front of the Premium Terminal, reserved for Qatar's most valued passengers. It was a symbolic move by the airline to underline how the aircraft will raise the comfort and service offered to a new level, and not just for business class passengers but in economy class, too. The first commercial A350 flight, to Frankfurt, took place on January 15 from the brand new Hamad International Airport in Doha. Qatar Airways' second A350 is expected to be delivered in March and the airline should have eight jets by the end of this year.