The Qatar Airways A350, simply beautiful – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
Ever since first seeing the Airbus A350 at the Singapore Airshow last year, I have had a soft spot for this aircraft. I was over the moon with excitement when the news came that I had been invited by Qatar Airways to cover the inauguration ceremony in Doha prior to its inaugural flight to Frankfurt on the 15th of January.
The aircraft had been officially handed over to Qatar Airways on the 22nd of December, 2014, in a special delivery ceremony hosted by Airbus.
A nice welcome at the press conference – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
The inauguration ceremony in Doha was accompanied by much fanfare, including a fun-filled three-day activity program for over 130 members of media from all over the world. Although there was no demonstration flight, like the event in Toulouse, it was still a very exciting and fun event to be part of.
The below photo report covers not only the official press conference and aircraft tour, but also the rather extravagant evening inauguration ceremony. This ceremony was one of the most impressive spectacles I had ever witnessed, and it was magnificently organized, right down to the choreographed light show on the aircraft. For the best viewing experience, be sure to click on each photo for the full resolution image to be displayed.
HE Akbar Al Baker (Qatar Airways Group CEO) begins the press conference in Doha, along with Dider Evrard (Airbus Executive VP) and Eric Schulz (Rolls Royce President of civil large engines) – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
One of the highlights for me during the event was the press conference with HE Akbar Al Baker. It is always such a joy to hear him speak; he really is setting a new standard and raising the bar for commercial air travel.
Now we move on to some of the AvGeek eye-candy that was the tour on-board the aircraft, as well as a spectacular night-time photoshoot.
The rather spacious aft galley on the Qatar Airways A350 – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
The crew rest area, with a capacity for six crew members at any one time – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
Economy class is configured in a 3-3-3 layout – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
The business end of the A350, complete with six large-screen LCD displays – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
The spacious and rather open-plan business class cabin; the sense of space is further enhanced by the flat ceilings and lack of center overhead bins – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
The central bar area in business class – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
Center business class seats; the cabin is setup in a 1-2-1 layout – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
All business class seats convert to lie-flat beds, complete with mattress and duvet – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
Window blinds are controlled electronically in the business class cabin – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
Probably the best looking winglet ever designed – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
All business class seats offer direct aisle access – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
The impressive Rolls-Royce Trent XWB, which powers the A350 – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
A very smart-looking nose section complete with the trademark A350 “bandit” wrapping around the cockpit windows – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
Following the afternoon aircraft tour it was time to prepare for the evening reveal ceremony and inauguration dinner. Below is a selection of images from this stunning presentation.
The stunning light show on the A350 – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
The entire light show lasted for close to five minutes – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
I am not one for night photography, but for the A350 I will make an exception – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
Simply stunning – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
A very “Arabian night” theme with the rising moon in the background – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
Great use of colored light projections made for some fun shots – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter
It was so exciting to be a part of an event where an airline is obviously so proud of their new aircraft type.
Note: Qatar took care of my accommodations while staying in Doha. Opinions are my own.
| Jacob Pfleger – Contributor A native of Australia, Jacob's interest in aviation first came about as a child going on a long-haul flight between Australia and Europe to visit relatives. In addition to being a pilot himself, he has worked in operations for a charter airline, been on-the-ramp handling aircraft, worked as a slot coordinator for major airports, and currently works as an aircraft charter broker for corporate and VIP clients throughout Eastern Europe. @avi8or1990 | Flickr |
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