Qatar Airways Increases Daily Service To Chicago Ahead Of Peak Summer Travel Season

CHICAGO, June 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting June 15^th, Qatar Airways stepped up frequency on the Chicago – Doha route to daily flights ahead of the peak summer travel season.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130617/NY32831 )

Chicago remains a highly popular and key destination in the carrier's rising North American network and travellers from across the network will benefit from convenient, daily flights. Top destinations from O'Hare include Hyderabad and Chennai in India, Kathmandu, Nepal as well as destinations Cape Town, South Africa and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The frequency increase is just another step in Qatar Airways' continued expansion strategy to grow and enhance its international network – both with new destinations and through more capacity on existing routes. In addition to climbing passenger loads, the airline's cargo service from Chicago has seen steady growth, with the airline recently adding two additional cargo flights.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: "Qatar Airways launch in Chicago was one of our most successful in history. Chicago O'Hare is one of the world centers for aviation. Our introduction has been a great success and our increased service reflects the importance we pay to one of the top destinations for business and leisure travel."

"On behalf of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, I want to thank Qatar Airways for increasing its service at Chicago O'Hare International Airport," said Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino. "As Mayor Emanuel recently announced, the number of visitors coming to Chicago is surging to record levels. Chicago's thriving tourism industry is due in part to the direct access our partner airlines provide to connect our city to the world. Qatar Airways' 'best in class' service has been a welcome addition and its expansion to daily flights between Doha and Chicago is great news for travelers. We look forward to working together with Qatar Airways and our other airline partners to offer O'Hare travelers the highest level of customer service and the ability to fly almost anywhere in the world from Chicago."

Since commencement of service in April, Chicago travellers have embraced Qatar Airways 5-star service to 128 destinations around the world, particularly India and the Middle East. The additional capacity means travellers to and from Chicago will have even greater choice, improved connectivity, more flexibility and extra convenience when planning their holidays.

Qatar Airways Senior Vice President for the Americas, Bart Vos, added: "Daily service out of Chicago gives U.S. travellers better access to a vast network of international destinations. We encourage travellers to take this opportunity this summer season to experience the unparalleled quality and comfort aboard Qatar Airways."

Qatar Airways' Doha – Chicago route is being operated with a Boeing 777-300ER in a two-class configuration of up to 293 seats in Economy Class and up to 42 in Business. The aircraft offers seatback TV screens providing passengers with the next generation interactive onboard entertainment system and a choice of more than 1,000 audio and video options.

One of the fastest growing airlines in the world, Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 124 aircraft to 128 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas.

Qatar Airways has so far launched five destinations this year in addition to Chicago – Gassim (Saudi Arabia), Najaf (Iraq), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Chicago (USA), Salalah (Oman) and Basra (Iraq) – the latter started on June 3.

Over the next few months, the network will expand with the addition of further destinations – Sulaymaniyah, Iraq (August 20), Chengdu, China (September 3), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (September 18), Clark International Airport, Philippines (October 28) and Philadelphia, USA (2 April 2014).  

Notes to Editors: Qatar Airways currently has orders worth over US$50 billion for more than 250 aircraft, including Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s, A380s and A320 Family of aircraft. In addition to winning Skytrax's prestigious Airline of the Year 2011 and 2012, Qatar Airways was named Best Airline in the Middle East for the seventh year in a row, and its Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport was named Best Premium Service Airport for the third consecutive year in 2013. Skytrax is the only global independent passenger survey monitoring airline standards and is considered the ultimate benchmark for excellence in the airline industry. In October 2012, Qatar Airways became the first of the major Gulf carriers to officially announce plans to join a global alliance having been invited into the oneworld group. For more information, visit www.qatarairways.com.

For further information
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 44302072, Fax: +974 44302069
E-mail: [email protected] / Website: www.qatarairways.com

SOURCE Qatar Airways