In some trailed news since ITB, Qatar Airways has made a splash and has returned to Gatwick Airport.
Qatar Airways Boeing 787 water cannon salute at Gatwick Airport – Image, Qatar Airways
The airline will run a double-daily service between Doha and Gatwick, utilising Boeing 787-8 aircraft in the first instance, before switching to a 16 times a week service for the summer.
The planned service looks like this:
Doha to Gatwick
QR327 DEPART DOH 08:30 ARRIVE LGW 13:30 Daily QR329 DEPART DOH 02:10 ARRIVE LGW 07:10 Daily QR331 DEPART DOH 15:00 ARRIVE LGW 22:00 Seasonal QR331 operates Friday and Saturday from 15 June to 29 September
Gatwick to Doha
QR328 DEPART LGW 15:25 ARRIVE DOH 00:05+1 Daily QR330 DEPART LGW 09:00 ARRIVE DOH 17:40 Daily QR332 DEPART LGW 21:30 ARRIVE LGW 06:10 Seasonal QR332 operates Friday and Saturday from 15 June to 29 September Commences: 23rd May Seasonal services operate between 15th and 29th June on a Friday/Saturday basis Booked Equipment: Qatar Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Data: Qatar Airways
This marks a turnabout when Qatar Airways withdrew from the airport in 2011 to focus on London Heathrow.
On the launch, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, stated
“Qatar Airways is delighted to be expanding its reach in both London and throughout the U.K. Earlier this month, we launched direct flights to Cardiff, the capital of Wales, clearly demonstrating our continued commitment to this market. We are very proud of our strong and extensive trade ties with the U.K. and look forward to offering our loyal passengers the chance to explore the newest and most exciting destinations within our global network.”
Gatwick offers an easier access point than Heathrow for passengers in the South of England, and the times should provide good connectivity to the rest of the Qatar Airways network – especially their night-time bank of departures.
With the addition of Doha, Gatwick’s long haul network has grown to 60 destinations. It’ll also give Qatar Airways passengers to feed onto connecting British Airways flights (and vice-versa).
The route will use Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliners. I’ve travelled them in both Economy and Business Class for those seeking an insight to the onboard experience. The 787 experience in Economy Class is rather reasonable, whilst the businesses class service is well put together
It’s another welcome boon to Gatwick Airport as increases its long-haul network.
But will Qatar Airways hang around in the long-term? That’s the bigger question.
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