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Qatar Airways plans high-speed broadband on flights

Flag carrier Qatar Airways made a host of announcements, including 12 new destinations and high-speed broadband connectivity on flights, on the first day of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai yesterday.
The airline also unveiled its new Business Class experience, Qsuite, to consumers in the Middle East.
During the annual press conference held as part of the Middle East’s biggest travel show, Qatar Airways announced that it would be the “first airline in the Middle East” to launch high-speed broadband on flights starting this summer, along with a brand-new graphic user interface for improved usability and a complimentary new entertainment application for early access to thousands of entertainment options.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar al-Baker said: “Qatar Airways constantly strives to create the ultimate passenger experience.
“It is this simple methodology that continues to place us ahead of our competitors when offering the best service in the skies.”
“Seamless connectivity is part of our passenger’s lifestyle requirements on the ground and is fast becoming a minimum expectation for travel in the air,” he added.
“In order to not just meet these expectations, but to exceed them, I am delighted to announce this partnership with Inmarsat, the leading provider of airborne broadband connectivity.”
“This, alongside our recently launched Qsuite, will offer premium passengers a new level of sophistication, privacy and connectivity in the skies from this summer,” al-Baker said. “The new destinations announced mean that we can now bring these innovative and world-class products to even more travellers around the world.”
The carrier revealed at the press conference 12 new destinations to be launched in 2018.
These are San Francisco (US), Cardiff (UK), Utapao (Thailand), Chittagong (Bangladesh), Mykonos (Greece), Málaga (Spain), Accra (Ghana), Lisbon (Portugal), Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Prague (Czech Republic), Kiev (Ukraine), and Mombasa (Kenya).
This announcement came after Qatar Airways had already announced 14 new destinations for 2017-18, further adding to its global network of more than 150 destinations, according to a press statement from the airline.
Among the key announcements was the launch of the new high-speed broadband in partnership with Inmarsat (GX Aviation).
This offering “heralds a new chapter in connectivity for the airline”, enabling both premium and economy passengers the ability to stream content and browse the Internet “with the same speed and efficiency as if they were on the ground”, the statement notes.
Initially available on the Boeing 777 and Airbus 350, Inmarsat’s GX Aviation product will offer “seamless connectivity” through its proprietary Global Xpress Ka-band satellite network, designed perfectly for use in commercial aviation.
Qatar Airways also announced the launch of its redesigned website, set to go live in early May.
The new website was developed to showcase the airline’s destinations and service, and features more than 2,000 new destination and fleet images, and over 400 videos, including 360-degree videos and panoramic images.
Meanwhile, al-Baker revealed the finer details of the recently-launched Qsuite, before unveiling the Qsuite in person to the media and VIP attendees at the airline’s stand.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Rashid al-Maktoum were given a tour of the Qsuite by Qatar Airways chief executive.
Qsuite features the “industry’s first-ever” double bed available in Business Class, with privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to “create” their own private room.
Adjustable panels and movable TV monitors allow colleagues, friends or families travelling together to transform their space into a private suite, allowing them to work, dine and socialise together.
These new features provide a customisable travel experience and enable passengers to create an environment that suits their unique needs.
“Qatar Airways continuously revolutionises the passenger experience, enabling passengers to enjoy First Class features within the airline’s Business Class cabin,” the airline said.
The first Qsuites will be retrofitted onto existing Qatar Airways aircraft from June onwards, at a rate of one plane per month.
The first destinations to feature the Qsuites are due to be London, Paris, and New York, it added.
Each of the new seats is crafted with intricate details such as hand-stitched Italian leather and satin rose gold finishing.
In addition to the customisable on-board seating experience, Qatar Airways is also launching a customisable food and beverage concept, introducing a menu offering a host of new dining choices.
The new Business Class menu will now offer a selection of snack “sharing dishes” available throughout the flight, allowing travellers to turn dining at 35,000 feet into a social experience.
A wake-up Express Breakfast will also be available for those who choose to sleep a little longer by making the most of the “Do Not Disturb” option available on the door of their private Qsuite.
The enhancements and improved connectivity will be complemented by the airline’s relaunched entertainment system, Oryx One, offering a “next-generation user interface that has been redesigned to make it even easier to surf content and choose from up to 3,000 entertainment options – enough to fly around the world 94 times”.
“Even when on the ground, the brand-new Oryx One mobile app showcases the very best of Qatar Airways’ entertainment, extending and complementing Qatar Airways’ in-flight experience, allowing passengers to browse the vast entertainment content library on their own device, at their own leisure,” the statement said.
Passengers can enjoy trailers of the latest Hollywood blockbuster releases and plan their on-board viewing before leaving the ground, and even read a selection of magazines and newspapers whilst waiting to board.
Passengers can also make their own favourite viewing list and transfer it on-board via the addition of the Near Field Communication technology built in to each Qsuite seat.
These enhancements come as the airline celebrates its 20th year of operations, marking two decades of growth, industry leadership and innovation.
The Arabian Travel Market 2017 continues until April 27.



Source: http://www.gulf-times.com/story/545663/Qatar-Airways-to-offer-high-speed-broadband-soon

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