Qatar Airways doubles Bangkok frequency

The seven additional weekly flights, due to begin on 27 March 2005, are being introduced to meet growing demand from business and leisure travellers to and from the Thai capital.

Qatar Airways will operate morning and evening departures from both Doha and Bangkok to suit individual needs of travellers.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the additional flights reinforced the airline's commitment to operate routes with increased frequency.

"We are delighted to be able to provide our passengers with greater choice of flight options to and from Bangkok," he said.

"With morning and evening departures every day, we are offering passengers with greater flexibility in their travel plans. Our flights will also offer excellent connections to and from Europe and the Middle East over our hub in Doha."

Qatar Airways Flight QR610 from Doha International Airport will leave daily at 0845, arriving at Bangkok International Airport at 1945 local time the same day. Return flight QR611 leaves Bangkok daily at 2045, arriving in Doha at 2345 the same day.

Qatar Airways Flight QR612 from Doha International will leave daily at 2025, arriving at Bangkok International Airport at 0715 local time the following day. Return flight QR613 leaves Bangkok daily at 0815, arriving in Doha at 1125 the same day.

The airline will continue to operate the modern Airbus A330-200 in a two-class configuration on the Bangkok route. The Business cabin has up to 24 seats that recline 160 degrees, while Economy features a maximum 259 seats.

The Airbus A330-200 features Qatar Airways' award-winning Audio Video On Demand system, allowing passengers in both classes to choose from an extensive list of international new release films and short programmes to view on their individual TV screens, and listen to an extensive list of CDs and radio channels.

Qatar Airways operates a modern all-Airbus fleet of 39 aircraft, which will double in size over the next few years following a $5.1bn order for 34 additional Airbus jets.

As one of the fastest growing and youngest carriers in the world, Qatar Airways has made significant inroads in the global aviation industry to become an award-winning airline in just a short few years.

It is one of only three airlines in the world to be ranked a Five Star carrier for excellent service and high standards by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry quality monitoring agency.

Skytrax also ranked Qatar Airways' cabin crew as the best in the Middle East in 2004 for the second year running and fifth best in the world following a survey of more than two million passengers worldwide.

Qatar Airways currently operates scheduled flights from its Doha hub in the Arabian Gulf, to 59 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent and the Far East.

The Japanese commercial city of Osaka will become Qatar Airways' first route launch of the Summer 2005 season and its 11th destination in the Far East.

The addition of Osaka takes the airline's global network to 60 destinations, with Tunis and Algiers due to be launched on May 2, and Athens on June 15. The airline plans to serve at least 70 destinations by the end of 2005.