Qatar Airways finally takes delivery of it’s first Airbus A380

Doha based carrier Qatar Airways has taken delivery of it’s first Airbus A380 super jumbo today, at a handover ceremony in Hamburg. Under-scoring the importance of their partnership, Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, officially took delivery of the aircraft from Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO.

The airline has taken delivery of the aircraft after a three month stand-off with Airbus over the quality and fit of the cabin fittings. The aircraft was originally scheduled to be delivered at the Farnborough Air show this past July.

Akbar Al Baker said Airbus was not to blame for the delayed delivery of it’s A380, defusing a volatile situation after earlier threatening to seek compensation.

The aircraft bearing registration A7-APA is powered by four Engine Alliance GP7270 engines and is the first of the airline’s ten Airbus A380 aircraft on order.

Qatar Airlines Airbus A380 delivery

Qatar Airways A380 will accommodate a total of 517 people – 461 in Economy, 48 in Business and eight in First Class, featuring the widest first-class seats in the industry. The airline has followed the layout of fellow Middle Eastern carrier Emirates and placed the First and Business Class cabins on the aircraft’s upper deck, along with a special lounge area for premium passengers.

Qatar Airways A380 First Class Cabin
Qatar Airways A380 First Class Cabin. Image courtesy the airline.

The airline has followed the layout of fellow Middle Eastern carrier Emirates and placed the First and Business Class cabins on the aircraft’s upper deck, along with a special lounge area for premium passengers. You can view the Qatar Airways A380 cabin layout seatmap here.

Qatar_Airways_A380_Delivery_16

Qatar Airways is the 12th carrier to fly the A380. The airline’s first A380 will make its debut on the popular London Heathrow route, from Hamad International in Doha, followed by Paris Charles de Gaulle.

About Vedant Agarwal

A frequent flyer for both work and pleasure - Vedant has held elite status on many of the major alliances and airlines. Also an avid aviation photographer, his pictures have been published in and on the covers of many international publications.

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