NEWS 7 WORLD PREMIERE
NEWS 7 WORLD PREMIERE Qatar Airways Unveils Its Revolutionary Seat at ITB Berlin 2017 ITB Berlin 2017 played host to Qatar Airways’ presentation of its new Business Class Product, which will offer ultimate comfort to travellers Ulrich Garnadt Chairman of the Board of Directors, Eurowings Eurowings Wants to Be The LCC Reference in Quality Akbar Al Baker CEO, Qatar Airways Following the lease of 33 airberlin aircraft, Eurowings intends to give more quality to its customers at a time of fast expansion for the carrier Qatar Airways Press Conference is a highlight of ITB Berlin as there is always important news to be announced by a usually outspoken Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker. ITB 2017 Qatar Airways briefing was again a colourful event with the airline announcing the launch of its highly anticipated and revolutionary new Business Class. Rebranded ‘QSuite’ the new product is reaching standards which have never been seen before in the industry. “The idea of the new seat design was inspired by… myself,” said the Qatar Airways CEO enthusiastically. “I had precise ideas of what a traveller would like on board and I just transmitted my thoughts to a team of young and talented designers to create the best seat in the sky”, he added. The QSuite works as a truly customisable private suite, providing comfort but also total flexibility for passengers. The new premium product will feature the industry’s first-ever double bed available in Business Class, with privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room. Adjustable panels and movable TV monitors in the centre of the cabin will also grant passengers a private space of four seats which will allow colleagues, friends or families travelling together to transform their area into a private suite, where they can work, dine and socialise together. These new features provide the ultimate customisable travel experience that enables passengers to create an environment that suits their own unique needs. Flexibility is driving the concept of the QSuite. A la carte meals with the option of choosing the time of service, a choice of over 4,000 film and television programmes, will give each QSuite passenger almost total control of their cabin environment. According to Akbar Al Baker, passengers will be able to enjoy the new product from June 2017. “The first aircraft to be retrofitted will serve the Doha-London route, the second aircraft will be put in service to Paris and the third to New York. Our entire fleet of Boeing B777 and Airbus A350-1000 will be equipped by the middle of next year”, promised the Qatar Arways CEO. Until the first retrofitted aircraft takes off, ITB Berlin visitors can experience the QSuite at Qatar Airways stand in Hall 2.2. The new business class cabin was unveiled on Wednesday in the presence of Michael Müller, the Mayor of Berlin and HE Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Ambassador for Qatar in Germany Faced with increased competition, Eurowings wants to be perceived more than ever as the reference low cost airline offering not only competitive fares but also outstanding quality. “Europe is reaching saturation point with LCC flights’ offer largely exceeding demand. The only next step to retain our shares and grow business is to propose a high quality product”, explained Karl Ulrich Garnadt, Chairman of the Board of Directors during ITB Berlin 2017. Eurowings is also increasing capacities in Europe following the leasing of 33 airberlin aircraft. Eight of the leased aircraft will go to Eurowings’ base in Cologne, seven to Stuttgart and four to Munich, the airline’s new base. “We will open Munich at the end of March with a network of 30 destinations”, indicated Garnadt. After Vienna, Eurowings opens a new European base in Palma de Mallorca this summer. “We are also working on the integration of Brussels Airlines into our Eurowings Group by next year, following Lufthansa’s acquisition of 100% of the Belgian carrier,” Garnadt said. During the summer, new long haul destinations out of Cologne will serve Las Vegas, Montego Bay, Seattle and Windhoek among others. To further increase its quality of service, Eurowings is launching the programme “Make My Way” giving passengers more choice in their flight. “We aim to provide a fully digital customized experience, such as booking a holiday with us including flights and accommodation, the introduction of Wi-Fi on European flights, and proposing a flight pass on short haul destinations with guaranteed fixed fares on one-way ticket”, added Oliver Wagner, Eurowings CEO Hall 2.2 / Stands 207, 208 Hall 25 / Stand 156 ITB BERLIN NEWS • Friday 10 th March 2017
