From the 28th of May travellers from Edinburgh can benefit from significantly reduced journey times to Asia and Australasia with just one smooth international transfer at Doha.Â
Qatar Airways is the national carrier of the State of Qatar. Currently undergoing rapid expansion, it is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. On October 30, 2013, Qatar Airways joined the oneworld Alliance, becoming the first Gulf carrier to join a global airline alliance, enabling its customers to benefit from almost 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,000 daily departures. The new route is not only the first from Edinburgh to the Middle East region, but will also be the country’s first scheduled service on one of the world’s newest aircraft, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Qatar Airways CEO, Mr. Al-Baker, said, “The start of services from Edinburgh to Doha not only offers travellers from the Scottish capital access to the Middle East in under seven hours, but also a quicker total journey time to other popular destinations in Asia, India and Australasia.
“We are delighted to confirm that the Boeing 787 will operate on this important new route and are sure that not only will this benefit the local market in Scotland, but also attract a significant amount of business and trade links for those wishing to travel to Edinburgh from all corners of the world.â€
Flying direct to and from Edinburgh, the Dreamliner has a two-cabin configuration, comprising of 22 seats in Business Class and 232 Economy Class seats with a high standard of comfort on board, including individual 10.5 inch television screens on all Economy Class seats and a full complimentary food and beverage service. Passengers will benefit from Qatar Airways’ award-winning inflight hospitality and, if not staying in the Middle East region, will then be able to fly onwards to any of Qatar Airways’ 136 destinations around the world.
The most popular destinations for those using the new route are sure to be in Asia, and Australasia, with journey times to Melbourne reduced to just 20 hrs with one quick international transfer at Doha’s soon to be opened Hamad International Airport, one of the world’s newest and most comfortable airports.
This will provide another option for Scottish fliers from Emirates, who currently are the only airline to fly directly from Glasgow to the Middle East and Australasia and is great news on top of the Chancellor George Osborne’s reform in Airport Passenger Duty (APD) which means that, from April 1 2015, all long-haul flights will be subject to the reduced band B tax rate of £67 per person.
DOHA to/from EDINBURGH:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
QR 027 departs Doha (DOH) at 08:00; arrives Edinburgh (EDI) at 13:15
QR 028 departs Edinburgh (EDI) at 14:45; arrives Doha (DOH) at 23:40