Qatar Airways takes delivery of 50th Boeing 777

DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) recently received its 50th Boeing 777, taking the total count of aircraft in operation to more than 180 single aisle and widebody aircraft.
The global carrier operates the Boeing 777 to a host of destinations – including Houston, Buenos Aires and Los Angeles, which are a few of QA’s longest destinations as measured by flight hours.
QA Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said: “We place passenger comfort and the flying experience at the forefront of our aircraft programme, and with the introduction of the Boeing 777 into the fleet just under a decade ago, our crew and passengers have come to know how comfortable and spacious the cabins are.
“We are proud to fly the Boeing 777 and this milestone in our fleet is a mark of the success we have had with Boeing and QA’s fleet programme.”
More than 35 per cent of the airline’s route network is operated with a Boeing 777 (includes both passenger and freighter destinations).
When QA’s first Boeing 777 order was made in 2006, the airline’s network reached just over 50 destinations. Now a decade later, with more than 150 destinations, the Boeing 777 has formed a core part of the fleet, and has been the backbone of the long haul and the ultra-long haul route expansion strategy.

“Over the last decade, QA and Boeing have developed a strong and enduring partnership that began with their first 777 order,” said Ray Conner, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
“We are proud to celebrate the 50th 777 delivery and see this market-leading aircraft continue to play a vital role in the operations of such a premium operator as QA.” Conner added. QA is one of the world’s largest operators of the Boeing 777, with the airline mostly deploying it on long and ultra-long haul routes.
QA recently announced it will serve Auckland, New Zealand, from the airline’s hub in Doha, making it the longest commercial route in the world at 18 hours and 20 minutes from the airline’s hub in Doha, utilising the Boeing 777.

The Peninsula