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By David Flynn, June 24 2020 Qatar Airways will phase out its entire Boeing 777-300ER and 777-200LR fleet by 2024 in favour of new Boeing 777X jets as part of a ‘green modernisation’ push which will also see the last Airbus A380 scuppered by 2028. “We are very conscious about our emissions and we are very keen to keep on introducing fuel-efficient aeroplanes,” Qatar Airways Group CEO His Excellency Akbar Al Baker tells Executive Traveller. “We are retiring the entire (Airbus) A330 fleet now, we are retiring all the 777s over the next three to four years, we are retiring the A320 aeroplanes.” Al Baker also said that the new-for-old swap would see its Boeing 787-9s eventually “replace the 787-8s”, although this is tied to a delayed delivery of the factory-fresh Dreamliners from at least 2022. “We plan to to reduce our emissions and have carbon-neutral growth over a period of time.” The reinvention of the Gulf carrier’s Boeing 777 fleet will be almost a like-for-like swap. Qatar Airways has 48 workhorse Boeing 777-300ERs, which will make way for the initial 50-strong order for the Boeing 777-9 Qatar Airways has nine long-legged Boeing 777-200LRs, which will be replaced by 10 extended-range Boeing 777-8s The steady draw-down of the 777-300ER and 777-200LR jets as the next-gen 777X rolls into the hangars at Doha means that "by 2025 we will have just the 777X," Al Baker says. All of the Qatari flag-carrier’s Boeing 777X jets will feature a second generation of the airline’s highly-regarded business class Qsuite, with Al Baker confirming “we are developing new seats for the 777s.” In addition, some of the 777-9s may also boast “a very exclusive first class cabin of just four seats,” Al Baker says, describing the under-development suites as a deliberately “very niche product” aimed at well-heeled Qatari travellers. “We have huge demand here in Qatar to two or three European destinations” such as London and Paris, “so we may introduce a very small first class cabin for our local passengers who want a very exclusive first class product.” However, the luxury cribs would appear on “just a handful” of the Gulf carrier’s Boeing 777-9 aircraft dedicated to those premium-heavy European routes.. https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qatar-boeing-777-retirement “I think eventually, first class will keep shrinking on airlines,” he explains. “An aeroplane is very expensive real estate, and occupying a big portion with so few seats as first class, which (on Qatar’s A380) had a load factor of averaging never more than 55-60%.”. https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qatar-boeing-777x-first-class

Qatar Airways’ Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker doubled down on his word that the airline could leave the Oneworld Alliance. And, the final decision could come sooner than expected. During a press conference at ITB Berlin on Wednesday following the unveiling of Qatar’s new economy seat, Al Baker said that the carrier will make its final decision on whether or not to leave the alliance within the next two months. “In the matter of a month or two, we will give you the news if we are going to stay or withdraw [from Oneworld],” Al Baker said. “I think it is the latter that will happen.” Since 2015, Qatar has threatened to leave Oneworld, though that tone has come in spurts. More recently, as of October 2018, Al Baker’s harsh exit words have hit stronger and more often, as he’s doubled down on his stance that the Middle Eastern carrier will depart. During Wednesday’s press conference, Al Baker insinuated that the carrier will leave, and when it does, it’ll have a lasting affect on the state of the alliance. “If we leave Oneworld, we will create a big hole for them in their entire connectivity,” Al Baker said. Al Baker’s voiced his frustration with certain members of the alliance — specifically, though not explicitly mentioning, American Airlines and Qantas — for not treating Qatar with the same respect as the other members. “We have given them breathing space to get their act together,” he said. “As an airline, we will demand respect and not submit to anybody trying to bully us.” By the sound of it, things haven’t improved and Qatar could soon see its way out of the alliance. If it does indeed leave Oneworld, the move could have negative consequences for American Airlines and British Airways flyers who have long earned AAdvantage and Avios miles, as well as elite-qualifying credits when flying with Qatar. https://thepointsguy.com/news/qatar-oneworld-decision-2-months/?utm_source=TWITTER&utm_term=editorial&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=100000283516778 ________________________________ Vamos ver se não é mais uma bravata do AAB. A empresa anunciou novos destinos para 2019: Izmir, Malta, Rabat, Davao, Lisboa, Mogadishu e Langkawi. Há outros sete destinos a serem anunciados.