A young airline with explosive growth
You might know Qatar for its natural gas reserves, but the nation has made an even bigger mark on the global stage with its flagship carrier. Qatar Airways launched in 1997 under the leadership of Akbar Al Baker. Despite its relative youth, the airline has cemented its status as an industry leader, evidenced by its 5-star Skytrax rating and the 5 Airline of the Year awards it received from the same agency in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2019.
Speaking of records, Qatar Airways claims the fastest growth in the history of civil aviation for the period between 1997 and 2017. The fleet expanded from just 4 aircraft in 1997 to more than 220 today.
Ambitious strategy and high service standards
These results are driven by a few key factors:
- Unwavering support from the Qatari state.
- A modern fleet with an average aircraft age of 6.8 years, all equipped with the latest technology.
- An aggressive marketing strategy heavily tied to sports, including investments in football and Formula E.
- Continuous development of its hub, Hamad International Airport in Doha. The quality and constant upgrades of these facilities helped the airport climb from 75th to 5th place in the Skytrax rankings in 2018.
- First and Business classes that rank among the most comfortable and innovative on the market. Even the economy class provides a level of service that often rivals business class on legacy carriers.
This level of prestige comes at a premium, but Qatar Airways aims to elevate the experience for the traveler before they even touch down on any of the 6 continents served by the airline.
Qatar Airways, along with Etihad Airways, are among the best airlines right now. Their planes are very new and super comfortable. They provide real blankets, not just scraps of fabric like others do. The meals are hearty. They are generous with drinks (I am not talking about alcohol), but tea, coffee, and soft drinks. The flight attendants are very attentive and my flights have always gone well. Bravo!