Qatar Airways connects Bahrain and Houston route with new one-stop flights

The carrier's daily morning flight QR151 departing Bahrain at 0520 hrs will arrive in Doha at 0610 hrs to connect onto Qatar Airways' new mid-morning long-haul service to Houston in the States of Texas.

Qatar Airways launches daily non-stop flights between Doha and Houston on March 30, using Boeing 777-200 Long Range aircraft featuring 259 seats of unrivalled levels of space and comfort, including fully flat beds in Business Class.

The route will offer passengers with convenient connections to and from Bahrain. Qatar Airways currently operates five Boeing 777-300 Extended Range aircraft, but takes delivery of its first Boeing 777-200 Long Range version next month for use on Houston and other ultra long-haul routes.

Addressing media in Bahrain today on the latest leg of Qatar Airways' GCC-wide Houston promotional roadshow, Executive Vice-President Commercial Ali Al Rais briefed journalists on the Doha-based airline's first new route of 2009.

A gala dinner for dignitaries, including guests from consulates, corporates, travel trade and the media takes place in Bahrain this evening.

"The launch of our latest US route is highly anticipated as Qatar Airways will bridge the world's energy capitals of Doha and Houston with this daily flight using our new long-haul flagship aircraft, the Boeing 777,"

said Al Rais, speaking at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain.

"Houston is a very strategic route for Qatar Airways, as it opens up increased bilateral business opportunities for the energy sectors across the Middle East and the oil-producing southern states of America. Houston will also be an excellent gateway to the oil-producing countries of neighbouring Mexico and Latin America."

He added: "Bahrain's rich financial and energy base gives Qatar Airways further reason to launch the route and establish this key international air corridor. Bahrain was one of the first states in the Gulf to discover oil back in 1940 which, together with other petroleum-related products, now account for over 60% of the country's export receipts.

"Furthermore, there exist very close ties between the Arab business community and energy companies in the Gulf with those in and around the Houston area. More than 65,000 currently live in and around Houston."

The Houston service will complement Qatar Airways' popular existing US routes to New York and Washington DC, launched in mid-2007. The airline currently offers daily non-stop flights between Doha and both New York's JFK International Airport and Washington Dulles.

The airline will fly daily to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport offering flexibility and convenience to business and leisure travellers flying to Houston and beyond. At almost 17 hours flying time, the Doha - Houston route will be one of the longest non-stop flights in the world.

Qatar Airways is renowned for its internationally-acclaimed Five Star service, superior cuisine and on-board entertainment options, additionally earning the credit of being the first Middle East carrier to provide fully flat beds in business class to Houston.

Regardless of class of travel, all passengers can enjoy the next generation interactive inflight entertainment onboard with a choice of more than 700 audio and video on demand options. From music, documentaries, movies, sport, comedy, children's programmes and interactive games, passengers are rest assured of a great choice of entertainment.

Qatar Airways was recently recognised as the world's Leading Business Class airline at the World Travel Awards, adding to its burgeoning award-winning cabinet.

With a modern fleet of 65 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, Qatar Airways flies to 83 key business and leisure cities across Europe, Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Far East and North America.