ATL officially welcomes Qatar Airways

Atlanta Fire Rescue delivers a water-cannon salute as the plane, a super-jumbo Airbus A380, touched down and made its approach to the gate just after 4 p.m. Qatar Airways will use a Boeing 777-200LR for regular service on the daily, nonstop route from Atlanta to Doha.

By Shane Blatt
Senior Public Relations Manager

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) leaders on Wednesday officially welcomed the inaugural flight of Qatar Airways, which flew in the world’s largest passenger aircraft just for the occasion.

Atlanta Fire Rescue delivered a water-cannon salute as the plane, a super-jumbo Airbus A380, touched down and made its approach to the gate just after 4 p.m. Qatar Airways will use a Boeing 777-200LR for regular service on the daily, nonstop route from Atlanta to Doha.

Interim Airport General Manager Roosevelt Council Jr., Airport Senior Deputy General Manager Michael Smith and other Hartsfield-Jackson leaders greeted the Qatar Airways delegation, which included Gunter Saurwein, senior vice president of the Americas, and Rossen Dimitrov, senior vice president of customer experience.

“Expanding opportunities for our customers and growing our international reach is one of our top goals,” Council said before the flight landed. “Qatar allows us to accomplish just that.”

Indeed, Hartsfield-Jackson is focusing on international travel as an important sector for expansion, not only to maintain ATL’s position as the world’s most traveled airport, but also to further Atlanta’s ability to attract global businesses.

Qatar Airways is critical to those efforts, as the airline offers a gateway to the Middle East, the fastest growing region in terms of air service.

As part of the ceremony, which included a photo op and gift exchange, members of the media toured the Airbus A380. On board, they interviewed Hartsfield-Jackson and Qatar dignitaries while checking out the luxe accommodations in first class and business class.

The double-deck, wide-body jet seats more than 500 passengers.

Atlanta is Qatar Airways’ third new destination to the United States this year, following the start of services to Los Angeles in January and Boston in March. In total, Qatar Airways serves 15 U.S. cities, including Atlanta.

Qatar Airways is one of the youngest and fastest-growing airlines in the world. It connects to more than 150 destinations daily.

Qatar Airways flew in a super-jumbo Airbus A380 to mark its inaugural flight to Atlanta on Wednesday. The airline will use a Boeing 777-200LR for regular service on the daily, nonstop route from Atlanta to Doha. Photos by Decisive Moment Event Photojournalism