Qatar Airways Launches New York JFK Service

Qatar Airways has launched scheduled flights to New York's JFK International Airport with a new non-stop service linking America's financial centre with Doha, capital of the State of Qatar.

The new route gives Qatar Airways its second daily non-stop service to America, supplementing existing daily services to the capital, Washington DC.

The JFK service replaces Qatar Airways' one-stop, six-times-a-week operation between Doha and Newark Liberty International Airport, gateway to New York City, which was introduced in June 2007.

Passenger demand to New York's JFK International prompted Qatar Airways to move the flights. As part of the new schedules, Qatar Airways' Geneva service, which was linked to Newark, is now a dedicated non-stop service from Doha, operating four-times-a-week.

The JFK route offers passengers excellent connections across the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of the Far East, via Doha, the airline's operational hub.

Beginning 30th March 2009, Qatar Airways will step up its presence in the US market by linking Doha and Houston – the energy capitals of the Middle East and America respectively.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: "On behalf of Qatar Airways, I am delighted to see our aircraft now operating to one of America's premier airports and, at the same time, offering our customers the highest standards of service we are renowned for."

"I would like to thank officials at Newark Liberty International Airport for welcoming us with open arms when we launched the route last year. The route has gone from strength to strength, but passenger feedback was that they wanted us to operate into New York's JFK Airport, so I am absolutely thrilled we are able to take our service to this wonderful key gateway on the US east coast."

The new JFK service sees extra capacity through the dedicated non-stop flights, ensuring passengers have more choice.

The New York JFK route is operated with Qatar Airways' fourth and newest Boeing 777-300 Extended Range aircraft, which was delivered by the US aircraft manufacturer just days before the launch. The aircraft features 335 seats in a two-class configuration of 42 seats in Business and 293 in Economy.

With a 2-2-2 configuration in Business Class and each seat converting to 180-degree flat beds offering a generous pitch of 78 inches, together with individual TV screens measuring 15.4 inches, it is one of the most spacious premium cabins in the skies today. The Economy Class cabin, in a 3-3-3 configuration, has a seat pitch of up to 34-inches and 10.6-inch TV screens, designed to offer optimum viewing. Both Business and Economy class cabins offer in-seat PC power supply and touch-screen inflight entertainment (IFE).

The aircraft features a revamped IFE system, Oryx Entertainment, offering each passenger more than 700 audio and visual options, and individual control of their entertainment.

Al Baker added: "Our brand new Boeing 777s feature Business Class flat beds with unprecedented levels of space and comfort, which will truly give us an edge over our competitors in the Middle East and around the world."

"With a 78-inch Business Class pitch, our 42 premium seats are undoubtedly among the best in the world. And our Economy seats offer the greatest levels of comfort over any other airline in North America and the Middle East."

"But it's not all about seat comfort and space. Hospitality and the highest standards of service are our hallmark at Qatar Airways. We are delighted to be among a select-few airlines in the world to introduce the next generation in-flight entertainment systems – the Panasonic eX2 – onboard our Boeing 777s."

"With more than 700 audio and video entertainment options, we have an unrivalled selection for passengers to choose from. More than 150 international movies, over 50 games and hundreds of hours of video and audio programming – this clearly is a 'Multiplex in the Sky'."

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 64 Airbus and Boeing aircraft from its Doha hub to 83 key business and leisure cities across Europe, Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Far East and North America.

For Hong Kongers, this means an even easier and quicker journey to New York with Qatar airways, with economy class fares currently starting from HKD7,800.

Note: All timings are local, operating in and out of New York's JFK Terminal 4.