Qatar Airways launched its service to Sydney this week in typical Qatar Airways fashion: with flyovers, a river of red carpet, stars, and an embarrassment of roses.
The Doha to Sydney route becomes the airline’s third gateway into Australia. The Boeing 777-300 serving the route will fly daily from Doha to Sydney. Qatar Airways has been served Melbourne since 2009, adding flights to Perth in 2012.
Flyover Day Fever
A straight landing at Sydney airport just wouldn’t be good enough, so the airline coordinated a flyover of Sydney Harbour. The video has been distributed through Qatar Airways’ YouTube channel.
Airport Arrivals
After the flyover, VIP delegates from Qatar, including Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, were met at the aircraft by Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Kerrie Mather; Official Secretary to the Governor of New South Wales, Colonel Michael Miller RFD; Destination NSW Chairman, Mr. John Hartigan; and Tourism Australia Managing Director, Mr. John O’Sullivan.
“Touching down here in Sydney for the first time today is an important milestone for Qatar Airways and for the people of Australia,” said H.E. Mr. Al Baker said. “I would like to personally thank Sydney Airport and city authorities for welcoming us today and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with them and the people of Australia in the coming years as we all go places together.”
NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Mr. Stuart Ayres said:
“Through our tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, we look forward to working with Qatar Airways and the opportunity to showcase our beautiful city, award-winning restaurants, stunning beaches and surrounding NSW regions to customers of one of the world’s fastest growing airlines.”
Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Kerrie Mather said:
“Qatar Airways’ new daily service will boost tourism, providing an additional 245,000 seats per year, generating an estimated 3,000 jobs and contributing more than AUD$240 million to the Australian economy.
“It will also foster trade, providing greater air cargo capacity and access to the Middle East. Australian exports to Doha grew by 23 per cent last year, and the State of Qatar’s high demand for livestock, cereal, meat, dairy products and crops provides a significant opportunity for Australian exporters.”
Shipping Power
The new Sydney route benefit both passengers and shippers.
The route adds 84 tonnes of cargo capacity per week in and out of the New South Wales (NSW) capital, giving Australia’s exporters access to Qatar Airways Cargo’s global network of more than 150 stations around the world.
Qatar Airways Cargo already carries 301 tonnes of freight in the hold of its Boeing 777 passenger aircraft into and out of Perth and Melbourne per week.
The new route to Sydney is expected to generate an estimated 3,000 jobs in New South Wales and contribute more than AUD$240 million to the local economy.
Qatar Airways Flyover Sydney Harbour for inaugural flight. Source: Qatar Airways
Inside the Qatar Airways B777
Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777 features a Business Class with fully-flat beds and 78 inches of seat pitch. The airline offers Business class passengers on-demand à la carte menu service, which lets them order from the menu at any time during the flight. The aircraft also features the airline’s state-of the-art Oryx One entertainment system, with more than 3,000 entertainment options on individual screens in all classes.
Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777 Economy class services can viewed here on the Qatar Airways site, including a guided tour of the cabin on Google street (embedded) which is really worth seeing!
Daily Flight Schedule
The flights operating to and from Sydney are as follows:
DOH-SYD QR908 Departs: 2010 Arrives: 1805+1
SYD-DOH QR909 Departs: 2220 Arrives: 0505+1
Doha Connections
Travellers flying to Australia on Qatar Airways will connect through the modern and lavish Hamad International Airport Doha, which opened in 2014. The airport was specially designed by Qatar Airways with passenger experience in mind.
The airport has more than 40,000 square metres of space dedicated to retail and dining, with more than 70 retail and 30 food and beverage outlets. There is also a 25-metre swimming pool, gym, hotel and spa.
VIP Gala
Qatar also brought VIPs and stars to a special ceremony celebrating the launch of the service, in a red-carpet gala worthy of the BAFTAs and Oscars.
In all 300 metres of red carpet were laid out, 15,780 decorated the set. Kylie Minogue was the airline’s brand ambassador for the night.
Learn More about Qatar Airways’ service in this exclusive Flight Chic report on the launch of the airline’s first A350 aircraft. Bottom line: a lovely flying experience.
Just for Fun
Kylie Minogue’s sister Danii Minogue is famous here on Flight Chic for her extremely enthusiastic reaction to the Residence on Etihad. (Please lower volume before pressing play).
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