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Qatar Airways’ maiden voyage to Miami International Airport (MIA) touched down yesterday, commencing service to the airline’s sixth US gateway. |
The service marked its 142nd destination worldwide from the central hub in Doha. With this new route, Qatar Airways is the first and only airline to offer non-stop service between the Middle East and Miami, Florida.
The launch continues a major expansion by the airline into the US. Non-stop service to Philadelphia International Airport began in April, and the airline will commence flights to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in July.
Airline’s CEO Akbar al-Baker, who was on-board the maiden flight, led a high-level delegation, including the director of Miami Airport, Emilio Gonzalez; the vice chairman of the Greater Miami Visitors and Convention Bureau, Bruce Orosz; senior officials from the airline and a group of international media.
“Miami is an essential destination in our expanding global network,” al-Baker said. With Doha’s centralised location, travellers from Miami can reach cities such as Bangkok, Nairobi, Colombo and Mumbai in 20 hours or less through a quick transfer in Doha.
The airline recently moved its entire operations to Qatar’s new airport - Hamad International Airport.
Miami International Airport is one of the largest in the US, handling over 40.5mn passengers in 2013. It is the country’s second busiest airport for international travel and the busiest for international freight.
Qatar Airways’ Doha to Miami route is being operated with a Boeing 777-200 in a two-class configuration of 42 seats in Business and 217 seats in Economy. 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.
