Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight to Cardiff in Wales on May 1 will be flown using the ultra-modern Airbus A350-900 on the day of inauguration, the national carrier announced on Thursday.

This is in recognition of the aircraft’s links to Wales, the airline said.

Following the inaugural flight, the new service between Doha and Cardiff will be served by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with 22 seats in business class, offering passengers direct aisle access with its 1-2-1 configuration, and 232 seats in economy class.

Qatar Airways will be the first airline to offer daily flights between Doha and Cardiff, providing the Welsh capital with links to the rest of the world via Qatar Airways’ extensive global route network.

The A350-900, of which Qatar Airways was the global launch customer and whose wings are built by Airbus in Wales, will mark the commencement of this exciting new route.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker said, “The launch of our new service to cardiff is a major milestone for Qatar Airways. It makes sense that the inaugural flight that welcomes Qatar Airways to Wales is on the A350-900, as the wings of this very plane are built at the Airbus plant in Broughton, North Wales. The new service will connect the Welsh people with more destinations globally and provide them the opportunity to experience our unparalleled five-star service. We look forward to welcoming our new passengers on board and to connecting them to Doha and points beyond.”

On board the Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner, lower altitude-equivalent pressure, improved air-quality and optimal humidity coupled with large, electronically dimmable windows create dramatic vistas and provide passengers with extra natural light.

Full-spectrum LED lighting will help them adjust to changing time zones, allowing passengers to arrive at their destination feeling refreshed.

Qatar Airways currently serves London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, with service to London Gatwick to commence on May 22.

Qatar Airways flies one of the youngest fleets in the sky, featuring the world’s most technologically-advanced and environmentally friendly aircraft.

Qatar Airways operates more than 200 modern aircraft to a network of more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents. The airline plans a host of exciting new destinations for 2018/19, including Cebu and Davao (Philippines); Langkawi (Malaysia); Da Nang (Vietnam) and Bodrum and Antalya (Turkey).

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