Qatar will begin to take delivery of its new Boeing 777s - a mix of 14 777-300ERs (Extended Range) and six 777-200LRs (Longer Range) - in 2007.
The airplane deal is valued at approximately $4.9 billion at list prices. This order was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website.

“Qatar Airways continues along a path of profitable growth that is directly tied to our consummate service and dedication to our customers,” said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker. “I know our passengers will be thrilled seeing the Boeing 777 in Qatar Airways livery and they can look forward to our maximizing the comfort of the airplane’s roomy cabin across our network, but particularly on new long-haul routes.”

Qatar Airways is one of the world’s fastest growing airlines and was recently named “Airline of the Year” at the annual Middle East and North Africa (MENA) travel awards. Qatar Airways is also one of only four airlines in the world with a Five Star ranking for service and excellence awarded by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry monitoring agency.

Qatar Airways currently operates a fleet of 47 aircraft flying to 70 destinations worldwide from its operational hub of Doha, capital of the State of Qatar.

For the past few years, Boeing and Qatar Airways have been in serious discussions about initiating a new working-together relationship and introducing Boeing’s fast-selling 777 into the airline’s fleet. Boeing’s 777 family now overwhelmingly dominates the commercial twin-aisle market segment and the airplanes will be the first Boeing models to rejoin Qatar Airway’s fleet.

“We are pleased to see Boeing 777s joining Qatar Airway’s fleet and to welcome the airline back as a customer,” said Lee Monson, vice president of sales for the Middle East and Africa.

“It seems only fitting that one of the world’s premier airlines will now operate the world’s premier twin-aisle jetliner. We’re also thrilled to have the 777’s outstanding performance evaluated firsthand by yet another great airline.”

The 777 family of airplanes is popular with passengers and airlines alike due to its fuel-efficient twin-engine design, high reliability, low operating costs, and comfortable and spacious interior. The 777-300ER carries 365 passengers up to 7,880 nautical miles (14,594 kilometers).

Recently, Boeing made enhancements to the 777-300ER that improve the airplane’s overall fuel efficiency by 1.4 percent. This amount is in addition to the 2 percent fuel-burn improvement already proven in revenue service by airlines that currently operate the 777-300ER. The 1.4 percent improvement in fuel efficiency equates to an annual savings of approximately 200,000 gallons (757,000 liters) per aircraft.

As the world’s longest-range commercial airplane, the 777-200LR is capable of connecting virtually any two cities in the world nonstop while carrying more passengers and revenue cargo than any other jetliner. In service, it can transport 301 passengers up to 9,420 nautical miles (17,445 km).

Over the life of the 777 program, 44 customers worldwide have placed 849 firm orders for 777s and more than 570 of the efficient, twin-engine jetliners are in service.
——-