1. The world’s first commercial passenger flight powered by a fuel made from natural gas.

On October 12, 2009, a Qatar Airways Airbus A340-600 conducted the world’s first commercial passenger flight using a mixture of kerosene and synthetic gas-to-liquids (GTL) fuel, produced from natural gas, on its flight from London’s Gatwick Airport to Doha.

A Qatar Airways aircraft completed the world’s first commercial passenger flight powered by a fuel made from natural gas.

The historic journey from London Gatwick to Doha took over six hours and was operated with an Airbus A340-600 aircraft using Rolls-Royce Trent 556 engines.

2. In May 2017, Qatar Airways became FIFA Partner and 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups official sponsor.

After the end of Emirates contract with FIFA, Qatar Airways was announced that it has an Official Partner and the Official Airline of FIFA as part of a sponsorship package lasting until 2022. Upcoming events sponsored by Qatar Airways will include the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017, the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, the FIFA Club World Cup, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019™ and the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™.

As an Official Partner of FIFA, Qatar Airways will have extensive marketing and branding rights at the next two FIFA World Cups, with an expected audience reach of more than two billion people per tournament. It will also have visibility at competitions such as the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the FIFA Futsal World Cup and the FIFA Interactive World Cup, the world’s largest online gaming tournament.

3. Qatar Airways has an oryx, the national animal of the State of Qatar, as its logo.

Everybody has seen the purple Oryx on Qatar Airways fin. The national animal of Qatar was completely extinct from the wild in 1972 but was reintroduced to the wild starting in 1982. Initially two herds were used to reintroduce the Oryx back. One from a Zoo in Phoenix, Arizona and another one from a “private collection” in Saudi Arabia.

The programme kicked off in Oman and then was further extended to the UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. After 25 years the Oryx has spread across the Arabian Peninsula and is only listed as “Vulnerable”, which has to be considered as a big success.

4. As of May 2014, the company is fully owned by the Qatari government.

Qatar Airways, one of the Gulf’s “big three” carriers, has become fully state-owned after the nation’s sovereign wealth fund bought out private shareholders.

The Qatar Investment Authority has bought the stakes owned by its former Prime Minister and other shareholders, CEO Akbar Al Baker said.

The purchase took place last July, but has only recently been revealed. It is understood that 50% of the airline was formerly in private hands. The cost of the deal was not announced.

5. Qatar has its own many subsidiary company in its umbrella. 

Qatar Airways has many divisions including:

• Qatar Aircraft Catering Company
• Doha International Airport
• Qatar Airways Holidays
• United Media Int
• Qatar Duty Free
• Qatar Aviation Services
• Qatar Distribution Company
• Qatar Executive (private jet).

6. Qatar Airways has ordered 37 A350-1000s.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, welcomed the arrival of the Airbus A350-1000 test aircraft to Qatar, as part of a special Demonstration Tour by Airbus. The visit was the first stop by the advanced aircraft to 12 destinations throughout the Middle East and Asia Pacific, designed to showcase the aircraft’s exclusive features to airlines and passengers. The arrival of the Airbus A350-1000 test aircraft comes just a month before Qatar Airways will become the global launch customer for the world’s very first A350-1000.

7. Qatar has one of the World’s Largest Business Lounge at Doha.

After commencing full operations at its new hub, Doha in 2014, Al Mourjan Business Lounge for Qatar Airways’            Premium passengers opened in July 2014. Al Mourjan Business Lounge is about 10 times the size of an Olympic size swimming pool and the Lounge access is for Qatar Airways and one-world first and business class passengers only.

Two-and-a-half acres in all, Al Mourjan consists of many individual spaces, all comfortable and pleasant to look at.

Qatar Airways says that entry into the Al Mourjan lounge is reserved for its own, as well as Oneworld alliance,              First Class and Business Class passengers, while Qatar Airways Economy Class passengers can purchase lounge          access for 450 Qatari riyals, or about $120 US.

8. Qatar has the world’s longest flight from Doha to Auckland it cross 10-time zones

The daily service from Doha to Auckland which is due to take off on December 3rd, 2016, is going to be the longest flight on earth. The distance between Qatar’s capital and the biggest city in New Zealand is 14,536 kilometres. The flight attendants are going to announce an estimated flight time of 18 hours and 30 minutes.

Not many aircrafts are able to perform such ultra-long flights and the only suitable candidate is the 777-200LR. Take a guess what the “LR” stands for? Yes, you are right! It stands for “Longer Range”. The big difference are the additional fuel tanks, lighter landing gear and raked wingtips.

9. Qatar Airways has formally joined Oneworld, becoming the first of the major Gulf carriers to join one of the global alliances.

The Doha-based carrier joins after just a one-year accession period and becomes the alliance’s 13th member. It is the second Middle Eastern member of Oneworld, alongside Royal Jordanian Airlines.

“We are convinced the time is right clearly right…and Oneworld is clearly the best alliance,” said Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker during a joining ceremony at Doha’s new Hamad International airport on 29 October.

10. Qatar airways has one of the mixed largest fleet in the world and Qatar Executive is the largest G650ER operator in the world.

Qatar Airways is the national carrier of the State of Qatar. Currently undergoing rapid expansion, Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world.

Current Fleets Passenger and Cargo both handling 212 aircraft which includes

• 39 Airbus A320s
• 23 Airbus A350-900s (2 leased LATAM aircraft)
• 30 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
• 40 B777-300ERs

Corporate Jet Subsidiary Qatar Executive (12 aircraft)

And fleet on order includes-

• 100 Boeing 777Xs (including options)
• 8 Boeing 777-300ER
• 55 Airbus A350s
• 30 Boeing 787s
• 3 Boeing 777F
• 80 Airbus A320neo Family (including options)
• 1 Airbus A380
• 8 Airbus A330 Freighter options
• 60 Boeing 737 MAX
• 8 (20 firm and 40 options) and
• 30 Gulfstream G500 and G600 aircraft and the flagship G650ER.