Qatar Airways hosted a capacity-crowd press conference in Atlanta to discuss its new service, which will commence June 1, 2016.

The route between Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) and Hamad International Airport (HIA) will be operated daily non-stop with a Boeing 777, with the exception of the first flight – which will be deployed with an Airbus A380 super-jumbo for one day only, on June 1.

Qatar Airways’ third new destination to the US this year, Atlanta follows the start of services to Los Angeles (January 1) and Boston (March 16). Since 2007, with the airline’s first route to the US – to New York – services have exponentially grown, with America having an ever-increasing importance for Qatar Airways’ customers. More than 5,000 seats are flown each day between Qatar and the US, spread across the airline’s gateways.

Atlanta is expected to be a key route for business and leisure traffic, conveniently connecting the Far East, Africa and the Middle East regions to the State of Georgia, positively impacting business, conference and convention attendance, and family and friends visitor traffic.

Addressing media in Atlanta yesterday (May 17) at a press conference at the St. Regis Hotel in Buckhead, the airline’s group chief executive Akbar Al Baker was joined by Qatar Airways vice president of the Americas, Gunter Saurwein and country manager of the US, Lisa Markovic.

Al Baker spoke at length about the airline’s expansion strategy, including the third phase of the world’s newest greenfield airport, Hamad International Airport, the hub and home of Qatar Airways. Currently in its second year of operations, HIA is ranked one of the world’s top 10 airports and best in the Middle East. The airport features art installations, sculptures, 18 lounges, children’s play zones and relaxation areas, among other amenities.

“With our expanding presence in the US, we look forward to welcoming new passengers from Atlanta and beyond to experience our product and the distinct hospitality of Qatar Airways,” said Al Baker.

“We know passengers want more than just travel; they want an in-flight experience that provides comfort, from the design of the seat to the quality of the cuisine, to the range of entertainment options available. These elements matter more now than ever before, as we witness the increasing trend of long haul and ultra-long haul travel. Our network, much like our on-board product, is optimised for long journeys, offering customers fast and seamless transfers at our home airport, or the option to extend your time in Doha to experience the world’s finest airport. We want to go places together with our customers, to be part of their journey and contribute to a memorable experience.”

Flying to six continents with over 150 destinations on its route map, Qatar Airways is a full service global carrier, operating a mixed fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft – with an average fleet age of just five years. - TradeArabia News Service