Qatar Airways joins Oneworld Alliance

What is the use of wealth if it is not shared? Wealth ought to be used to enhance the lives of others, to foster solidarity within a community spirit and serve others better at a time when they need it most.

In its bid to be of service to mankind, Qatar Airways joined many international organizations in helping the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas region by flying for free eight tons of relief goods like tents, medical supplies and blankets. These goods are from Filipinos and other expats in Doha and were delivered straight to Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC).

The Qatar government had initially donated 80 tons of relief goods worth $70,000 to the Philippines. CIAC president and CEO Victor Jose Luciano thanked Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker for this noble endeavor.

Qatar Airways recently joined the prestigious roster of Oneworld, the world’s fastest growing and most highly rated global airline alliance. Its being the 13th addition to this illustrious alliance proves that it is truly an airline that cares to share and it gives its best service at all times.

Before the onslaught of Yolanda, I was invited by Qatar Airways  to witness the event in Doha. The airline CEO Akbar Al Baker said, “Our entry into the Oneworld Alliance and the opening of Hamad International Airport will revolutionize our capacity to bring international business to Doha’s doorstep.” The state-of-the-art $ 15.5 billion Hamad International Airport will strengthen Doha’s role as a premium global hub.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s international profile will be raised further in 2022 when it hosts the FIFA World Cup.

I learned that  Qatar is  known as the richest country per capita with natural gas reserves enough to last for 300 years. Here, a liter of water costs 35 cents while a liter of gas costs 30 cents. Qatar is a small country, with a population of two million. There are only 300,000 Qatari people — 50,000 of whom own equestrian horses that may be stabled for free by the government  since others have their own private stables. Foreigners mostly run the country including several Filipinos. I met some Filipino engineers aboard the luxurious Qatar Airways and learned that they have been working in areas involving the natural gas pipes, the source of wealth of the country. For the last seven years, they have been contentedly working in Qatar and come home to their families every two months. Each time they fly home, Qatar Airways has always offered them impeccable service.

Qatar Airways serves 130 destinations  in 70 countries with access to 550 airline lounges. With the addition of its members elect, the Oneworld network will grow to almost a thousand destinations, serve almost a thousand airports in more than 150 countries.

More than 20 of its destinations and five countries — Ethiopia, Iran, Rwanda, Serbia and Tanzania — will be new to the oneworld map. Oneworld also offers an extensive range of alliance fares enabling customers to fly on multiple airlines with attractive savings on regular published fares. These include Visit passes for Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Japan and Malaysia.

From our posh Oryx Rotana Hotel, we proceeded to the gala reception held at the luxurious St. Regis Hotel in Doha. The illustrious roster of dignitaries led by the Prime Minister of Qatar  Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani savored a glamorous dinner prepared by the celebrity chefs of Qatar Airways.

My newfound friends like Jeff Kriendler (author of Pan American World Airways  Aviation History Through the Words of Its People), Nguyen Thuy Mien from Thanh Nien Newspaper and Khun Boonsong from Bangkok Post enjoyed the glamorous evening that ensued in the grand ballroom of the St. Regis while in the airport, the one world logos were being applied on Qatar Airways entire fleet of 130 aircrafts including airport check-in desks, signage, websites, tickets, boarding passes and all items of stationary.

This stunning branding effort, one of the biggest campaigns in the aviation history, shows the fervor and tenacious zeal of Qatar Airways to be one with the world.

As an added treat, a special double miles offer was also extended  to all cardholders of all Oneworld member airlines’ frequent flyer programs — including those of Qatar Airways Privilege Club holders.

Earlier in the day, our media group from all over the globe  embarked on a city tour of Doha. From the Doha Corniche, a seven kilometre long, palm-fringed promenade which extends in a horseshoe shape around Doha Bay and the city’s sea-front, we toured the  spectacular skyscrapers, architectural design treasures like the museum of Islamic art by the world renowned Chinese American architect I.M. Pei. He studied Islamic history and heritage for six months before embarking on this  timeless and priceless jewel. We explored the impressive Katara cultural village, the charming old souk where one will be reminded of Alibaba and his encounters with the exotic vendors of silk, tapestries, shisha pipes, wares and spices. A hearty buffet lunch at a charming boutique hotel transported us to an Arabic enclave of rich flavors and tones of velvet, glass and historical and contemporary design. Sweet Arabic dates, chocolates and pastries were aplenty and a splendid way to cap the lunch of Middle Eastern flavors. If Dubai has its Palm City, Doha has it’s  Pearl-Qatar, which is “the most glamorous address in Doha” inspired by nature and built on the sea of a historical pearl- diving area. My group and I were floored when the tour guide shared that in this shopping enclave, the choices among shoppers do not just range from the usual Prada, Hermes or LV but from Maserati, Rolls Royce or Ferrari. 

Seeing all the CEO’s and senior executives from all the other Oneworld member airlines in front of us, I felt like Alice in Traveland entranced by all the movers and shakers in the aviation industry. How many lives have been touched, inspired and transformed by the ability to travel, transport cargo and make significant decisions that benefit our lives. Qatar Airways is the only one of the major Gulf carriers to join any of the global airline alliances. Becoming part of Oneworld, which holds more “best alliance” awards than any of its competitors, will strengthen the airline’s competitiveness, enabling it to offer customers an unrivalled alliance global network served by partners that include leading airlines from every region. It joined Oneworld just one year after receiving its invitation to join, which makes its induction into Oneworld one of the fastest in the alliance’s history.

We toured the magnificent 600,000-square-meter Hamad International Airport designed to safely host the world’s largest aircraft, including the Airbus A380. Its dual-runway system, two kilometers apart, can jointly handle up to 100 aircraft per hour.  The 2,200-hectare airport site synergizing architectural panache and technologically advanced systems will redefine your airport experience. Akbar Al Baker speaks passionately about the passenger experience, and anyone travelling through the new airport will immediately recognize the efforts made to enhance the end-to-end experience for all travellers — arriving, departing or transiting 

For passengers, there are activities designed depending on the hours of their layover. You can immerse yourself in unparalleled luxury shopping in 25,000 square meters of retail space, enjoy the 16 VIP lounges, stay in the two luxury transit hotels with 100 rooms each including squash courts, pools and spas and enjoy art gallery-like experiences and interactive entertainment.

Each time we fly, we make the world a better place as we fulfill not just our aspirations but others as well. As we continue to soar, Oneworld Alliance supports us towards the portals of our dreams.

With Qatar Airways now part of Oneworld, this alliance will truly bring more people together, countries closer and the world a little smaller. Nothing means more than to be connected, to unite in peace and harmony. To live in community with others. This is the amazing principle of Oneworld, to make the corners of the world a little closer, especially in times of crisis.

Congratulations Qatar Airways. One goal. One love. One world.

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Qatar Airways flies straight daily to Doha from Manila and has recently started its daily flights from Clark International Airport to Doha. For reservations, call 519-1888. For more information about Qatar Airways, log on to www.qatarairways.com.

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E-mail the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.