Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways and FC Internazionale Milano Forge Dynamic Partnership

Published

5 months ago

March 29, 2024

Admin

Qatar Airways and FC Internazionale Milano Forge Dynamic Partnership. Qatar Airways, the flagship carrier of the State of Qatar, proudly announces its collaboration with the renowned Italian football team, FC Internazionale Milano (Inter), as the Official Global Airline Partner. The announcement took place during the Dubai Airshow 2023, where Engr. Badr Al Meer, CEO of Qatar Airways Group, joined forces with Inter’s executive team to solidify the multi-year partnership.

Comprehensive Partnership Benefits Inter and Qatar Airways Fans Alike

This group-wide partnership encompasses branding, hospitality, and marketing rights, tailored travel solutions for Inter fans, and a strategic focus on strengthening Qatar Airways’ presence in Italy and Europe. The partnership extends across various domains, including:

Hamad International Airport: Designated as the ‘Official Airport’
Qatar Duty Free: Recognized as the ‘Official Duty-Free’
Qatar Airways Privilege Club: Acknowledged as the ‘Official Frequent Flyer Programme’
Qatar Airways Holidays: Designated as the ‘Official Fan Travel Partner’ in Qatar.

Celebratory Moments at the Dubai Airshow

To commemorate this significant partnership, Engr. Badr Al Meer hosted members of the Inter executive team for a special tour of Qatar Airways aircraft on display during the Dubai Airshow’s second day. The presence of Inter Legend Marco Materazzi added an extra layer of excitement, emphasizing the anticipation of a remarkable sports collaboration between Inter and Qatar Airways Group.

Exclusive Delegation Experience Onboard Qatar Airways Aircraft

The Inter delegation explored the luxurious offerings of Qatar Airways, including the Business Class suite on the Boeing 787-9, the award-winning Qsuite on the Airbus A350-1000, and the state-of-the-art Qatar Executive private jet, the Gulfstream G650ER. The delegation presented Qatar Airways with Inter jerseys, featuring the number “7” to symbolize the airline’s seven-time recognition as the “World’s Best Airline.”

Strengthening Ties with Milan

Expressing enthusiasm for the partnership, Engr. Badr Al Meer emphasized the historical ties between Qatar Airways and Milan, dating back to 2002. He highlighted Italy as one of the airline’s valued markets, anticipating the partnership to deepen relationships not only with Milan but also across Europe and Asia.

Inter CEO Corporate Reflects on the Growing Appeal

Alessandro Antonello, FC Internazionale Milano CEO Corporate, expressed pride in welcoming Qatar Airways to their global family as a prominent partner. The collaboration signifies the growing appeal of Inter’s brand, now linked with one of the world’s leading airlines, sharing a commitment to connecting places and people globally.

Privilege Club Offers Discounts for Inter Fans

In celebration of the partnership, Qatar Airways Privilege Club will extend special flight fare discounts of up to 12 percent for Inter fans traveling to witness the team in action at the San Siro Stadium.

Elevating Luxury Standards with Qatar Duty Free

Qatar Duty Free (QDF) aims to elevate its standards of luxury through this sponsorship, aligning with its recent recognition as the 2023 “Airport Retailer of the Year” by the Frontier Awards. The partnership with Inter leverages QDF’s prestigious status, providing transformative experiences for customers and VIP stakeholders.

Extending Rights to Qatar Tourism

The partnership with Inter extends beyond the airline and duty-free, involving Qatar Tourism, showcasing a well-rounded collaboration that supports the implementation of Qatar National Vision 2030 and strengthens relations between Italy and Qatar.

Uniting Aviation and Football Excellence

Symbolizing excellence in aviation and football, the partnership positions Qatar Airways as the key travel partner for Inter, connecting the team to exciting overseas tours and competitions. Qatar Airways’ branded LED signage around Inter’s San Siro Stadium will further enhance its visibility in Milan.

Inter: A Club of Historical Success

Inter’s rich history of success, boasting 19 Serie A, three UEFA Champions League, and eight Italian Cup wins, aligns with Qatar Airways’ mission of uniting the world through the power of sport. The club’s motto, “We are brothers and sisters of the world,” resonates with its passionate fan base, known as the ‘Nerazzurri’ faithful.

Qatar Airways Operations in Italy

Currently operating from two airports in Italy, Qatar Airways offers three daily flights from Milan Malpensa and 18 weekly flights from Rome Fiumicino. Starting January 2024, flights to Rome will increase from one to three daily flights, further strengthening the airline’s commitment to the Italian market.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways Plans to Offer Complimentary Starlink Internet Details Yet to Be Disclosed

Published

5 months ago

March 29, 2024

Admin

Qatar Airways Plans to Offer Complimentary Starlink Internet Details Yet to Be Disclosed. In a recent development, Qatar Airways, a long-standing user of Inmarsat-now-Viasat Global Xpress (GX) Ka-band satellite-based inflight connectivity service, has indicated its intention to offer SpaceX’s Starlink Aviation onboard Internet to its passengers on a complimentary basis. This offering will be accessible to passengers with a simple “one-click” process.

Rollout on Specific Aircraft and Routes

According to an official press release from Qatar Airways, the low-latency In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) service will be introduced on “specific aircraft and routes.” The airline has also mentioned that they are currently in the pre-launch phase of the rollout strategy in collaboration with Starlink. SpaceX Vice President of Starlink Commercial Sales, Jonathan Hofeller, has expressed that Starlink is “set to support the entire Qatar Airways fleet.”

This news emerged following the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO event in Long Beach, where Qatar Airways Group’s Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. During this event, Starlink executives met with airline representatives in a nearby hotel.

Changing Landscape in In-Flight Connectivity

The Qatar Airways-Starlink collaboration signifies a shift in the in-flight connectivity landscape. Traditional GEO satellites are being challenged by Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations like SpaceX’s Starlink. For example, Flexjet has announced plans to replace the Viasat hardware on some of its aircraft with Starlink.

Viasat acquisition of Inmarsat, coupled with these changes, has led to some Inmarsat value-added resellers reevaluating their positions. SITA, a service provider to Qatar Airways, has already disclosed its intention to exit the cabin connectivity market by January 2025.

Seeking Clarity from Qatar Airways

Runway Girl Network reached out to Qatar Airways to seek clarification on several points. They inquired about:

Qatar Airways plan regarding the replacement of Inmarsat (now Viasat) GX inflight connectivity hardware with Starlink.
Whether Starlink will be deployed across Qatar Airways’ entire fleet.
Commencement dates for supplemental type certifications and Starlink installations.
Which aircraft type will be the first to receive the new hardware.
The impact of SITA’s decision to cease being a GX value-added reseller on Qatar Airways’ decision to select Starlink.
Qatar Airways’ plans for continuing to roll out Inmarsat GX on its 787-9s.

Qatar Airways Response

In response to these queries, a Qatar Airways spokesperson stated via email that they would keep Runway Girl Network updated on any future operational developments. In a follow-up exchange, when further clarity on the deal was sought, the spokesperson requested the removal of a specific phrase from their press release.

Implications and Future Plans

In the absence of comprehensive details, it seems logical for Qatar Airways to consider introducing Starlink initially on its 787-8s. This fleet has seen recent in-seat In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) upgrades but still lacks true broadband connectivity.

Once Starlink is operational on Qatar Airways aircraft, passengers can anticipate complimentary access to ultra-fast Wi-Fi speeds of up up to 350 Mbps, which can be used for various Internet-based services including video streaming, gaming, web browsing, and more. In contrast, the airline presently charges $10 for inflight access to its ‘Super Wi-Fi.

Conclusion

Qatar Airways, in its press release, also proudly asserts its position as “the largest airline to collaborate with Starlink.” Other notable Starlink customers include Part 135 operator JSX, Hawaiian Airlines (launch delayed until early next year), airBaltic, and ZIPAIR.