RAJESH MISHRA

DOHA THE US-based United Airlines’ first flight from Doha took off from the Doha International Airport at its scheduled departure time 8.20pm on Wednesday.

The Doha-Dubai-Washington/ Dulles service operated by Boeing 777 aircraft will reach Washington DC at 6.30- am on Thursday. The departure time from Washington DC is 6.22pm and arrival at Doha International Airport is at 5.25pm.

Addressing a press conference at Sharq Village and Spa United’s Vice-President Atlantic & Pacific Sales James Mueller said that the 90 minutes’ stopover in Dubai would only help provide better connectivity to various destinations across North America and added that while the flight would be equipped with various latest facilities to offer to the passengers, the prices of the tickets would be competitive.

“Our customers in both the US and Qatar will benefit from increased travel opportunities and options with this new service.

I would like to thank the authorities in the State of Qatar for welcoming United Airlines to the newest point in our network,” Mueller said.

“Passengers arriving at Washington/Dulles on United flights from Doha are able to connect quickly and easily with United flights to destinations across North America. From its Washington-Dulles hub, United operates flights to more than 300 destinations throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, including more than 80 served non-stop,” he added.

Meanwhile, a United Airlines press release quoted Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Akbar al Baker, who is also CEO of Doha International Airport, as saying, “It is with great delight to welcome another well-established international airline of United’s stature to Qatar and offer the travelling public with even more travel options.” Doha is the fourth city in the Gulf region to be served by United, which already operates to Dubai, Kuwait City and Bahrain from Washington- Dulles. United serves more destinations in the Gulf Region and Middle East than any other American carrier.

According to Mueller, the airline offered a wide range of choices to the passengers such as United Global First, United Business First, The Business First, United Economy and United Economy Plus, which had been designed according to the various requirements of the passengers.

“For example, United Global First offers passengers high level of privacy and comfort, priority airport services and more-personal attention. The 1.98-m long, 60-cm wide flat bed seat features an audiovideo on demand entertainment system on a 39-cm video monitor,” he pointed out.

Also present at the press conference were the airlines’ Managing Director, Middle East, Africa and India Worldwide Sales, Rob Humphries and Regional Director, Middle East, Africa and India Laurent Recoura.