Qatar Airways Maintains Momentum Connecting More People Internationally than any other Airline

Doha, Qatar – New independent data from OAG reaffirms Qatar Airways as the largest airline in the world in terms of Available Seat Kilometers (ASK), offering more global connectivity to its passengers than any other airline. Qatar Airways expansive network of more than 1,000 weekly flights to over 130 destinations, provided over 2.6 billion ASKs during March 2021, offering the most flights to international destinations.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for the aviation industry and, despite this, Qatar Airways never ceased operations and worked diligently to take people home safely and reliably throughout the crisis. The airline has also added seven new destinations in the past 12 months including San Francisco and Seattle in the US, Abuja, Accra and Luanda in Africa, and Brisbane and Cebu in Asia Pacific.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “ At Qatar Airways, being there for our passengers, trade partners and corporate customers has been our major focus since the start of the pandemic. We have dedicated ourselves to being the airline passengers can rely on, operating with the highest hygiene and bio-safety standards. We are thankful and proud of the response from our passengers that has enabled us to continue providing the most flexible travel options as the world’s largest airline for international air traffic. This independent data from OAG once again highlights Qatar Airways’ mission to be an airline that passengers and trade partners can rely on now and in the future as we offer unrivalled connectivity with a state-of-the-art and sustainable fleet.”

Qatar Airways has become the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. This follows HIA’s recent success as the first and only airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating. These recognitions provide assurance to passengers across the world that airline health and safety standards are subject to the highest possible standards of professional, independent scrutiny and assessment. For full details of all the measures that have been implemented onboard and in HIA, please visit qatarairways.com/safety.

Qatar Airways’ ability to continue flying throughout the pandemic and make a strong recovery is thanks to its strategic investment in modern, fuel-efficient aircraft that has allowed it to offer the right passenger and cargo capacity in each market. The airline’s fleet of 53 Airbus A350 and 37 Boeing 787 are the ideal choice for current market conditions, enabling the airline to commercially and environmentally sustainably rebuild their network.

Passengers can book flights with peace of mind, knowing that Qatar Airways offers unlimited date changes and fee-free refunds for all tickets issued before 30 April 2021, for travel completed by 31 December 2021. The carrier’s industry-leading flexible booking policy also provides the permanent feature of exchanging tickets for a travel voucher with 10% additional value for all customers booking travel via qatarairways.com. For full terms and conditions visit qatarairways.com/Flexibility.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’, and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. Qsuite is available on flights to more than 45 destinations including Johannesburg, Frankfurt, New York and Singapore.

Qatar Airways is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted ‘Skytrax Airline of the Year’ title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times. In addition to this, Qatar Airways home and hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) was ranked the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for the sixth consecutive year and rose to  ‘Third Best Airport in the World’ by the SKYTRAX World Airport Awards 2020.