Qatar Airways launches the world’s longest flight service on one of the country’s most significant days of the year, Waitangi Day. Celebrations to memorialize the launch of the world’s longest commercial flight, which takes 17 hours and 30 minutes and covers a distance of 14,535 kilometres, began at the airport with a traditional water salute.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker travelled on board the inaugural flight from Doha to Auckland and was welcomed by The Hon Todd McClay, New Zealand’s Minister of Trade and State Owned Enterprises; and Auckland Airport chief executive, Mr. Adrian Littlewood.
Passengers travelling on the inaugural flight were welcomed on board with special cupcakes. Guests travelling in Business Class received a celebratory Kiwi Rose Fizz mocktail. Menu cards and beverage lists inspired by a traditional Maori carving were also designed especially for the occasion.
H.E. Mr. Al Baker said, “The launch of our new service to Auckland is an important milestone for Qatar Airways as we expand both in the region and globally across our network providing more options and better connections to exciting business and leisure destinations in Europe and the Middle East.
“Arriving in Auckland on Waitangi Day, and achieving the title of world’s longest flight for the return record-breaking service, which covers a distance of 14,535 kilometres and lasts 17 hours and 30 minutes, makes this an even more momentous occasion for Qatar Airways and provides another accomplishment to celebrate in this our 20th year flying the flag internationally for Qatar.”
His Excellency Jeremy Clarke-Watson, New Zealand Ambassador to the State of Qatar, added, “Welcoming Qatar Airways to New Zealand, through this direct service, is a significant event in the New Zealand Qatar relationship – opening up greater people to people and business to business connections between our two countries.
“We look forward to welcoming more Qatari and GCC nationals to New Zealand, taking advantage of New Zealand’s 90-day tourist visitor visa on arrival for GCC citizens. We also look forward to working with Qatar Airways and New Zealand exporters to maximise the potential of the direct service’s freight capacity, which opens up a whole new market for our exporters particularly in fresh food and beverage.”
Mr. Adrian Littlewood, Auckland Airport chief executive officer, commentd, “We welcome Qatar Airways to Auckland Airport and New Zealand. We expect this route to be very popular with visitors to New Zealand and with New Zealanders travelling, particularly between this country and Europe. Qatar Airways offers high quality inflight service and a wide network of destinations.”
Passengers travelling on board the Qatar Airways Boeing 777 to and from Auckland in Business Class can benefit from comfortable fully-flat beds with 78 inches of seat pitch. In addition, the on-demand à la carte menu service allows Business Class passengers to order anything from the menu at any time during the flight. The aircraft also features the airline’s award-winning Oryx One entertainment system, offering up to 3,000 entertainment options on individual screens in all classes.
