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Tribune News Network
Doha
QATAR Airways (QA) will launch 12 new destinations in 2018.
The new destinations include San Francisco, the US; Cardiff, the UK; Utapao, Thailand; Chittagong, Bangladesh; Mykonos, Greece; M'e1laga, Spain; Accra, Ghana; Lisbon, Portugal; Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Prague, the Czech Republic; Kiev, Ukraine; and Mombasa, Kenya.
The announcement was made at a press conference held on the sidelines of the opening of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai on Monday.
QA also announced that it will be the first airline in the Middle East to launch high-speed broadband on flights starting this summer, along with a brand new graphic user interface (GUI) for improved usability and a complimentary new entertainment application for early access to thousands of entertainment options.
The QA also unveiled its new Business Class experience, 'Qsuite', to consumers in the Middle East for the first time at the ATM.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar al Baker said:"Qatar Airways strives to create the ultimate passenger experience. It is this simple methodology that continues to place us ahead of our competitors when offering the best service in the skies. Seamless connectivity is part of our passenger's lifestyle requirements on the ground and is fast becoming a minimum expectation for travel in the air. In order to not just meet these expectations, but to exceed them, I am delighted to announce this partnership with Inmarsat, the leading provider of airborne broadband connectivity. This, alongside our recently launched 'Qsuite', will offer premium passengers a new level of sophistication, privacy and connectivity in the skies from this summer. The new destinations announced today mean that we can now bring these innovative and world-class products to even more travellers around the world."
The proposed launch of the new high-speed broadband in partnership with Inmarsat (GX Aviation), heralds a new chapter in connectivity for the airline, enabling both premium and economy passengers the ability to stream content and browse the Internet with the same speed and efficiency as if they were on the ground.
Initially available on the Boeing 777 and Airbus 350, Inmarsat's 'GX Aviation' product will offer seamless connectivity through its proprietary Global Xpress Ka-band satellite network, designed perfectly for use in commercial aviation.
QA also announced the launch of its redesigned website, set to go live in early May. The new website was developed to showcase the airline's destinations and service, and features more than 2,000 new destination and fleet images, and over 400 videos, including 360 degree videos and panoramic images.
Baker revealed the finer details of the recently launched 'Qsuite' at the press conference, before revealing the 'Qsuite' in person to media and VIP attendees at the airline's stand. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, were given a tour of the 'Qsuite' by Baker.
