Qatar Airways CEO opens new Premium Lounge in London
Qatar Airways has officially opened its new Premium Lounge for First and Business Class passengers at London's Heathrow Airport in front of VIP guests drawn from the diplomatic world, travel industry, corporate business leaders and the British media.
Located airside at Terminal 4, the lounge is Qatar Airways' first dedicated facility for premium passengers outside its Doha hub, where the carrier operates the award-winning Premium Terminal.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker officially opened the lounge in front of over 50 invited guests before giving them a tour of the facility.
The event marked the start of another busy year for the carrier, with the launch of new routes, as well as additional capacity on the London Heathrow - Doha route, being stepped up from four to five flights a day, effective March 25.
The lounge reinforces the importance of the UK as one of the airline's busiest routes.
Guests at the opening discovered a lounge designed to resemble a boutique hotel or private member's club rather than a conventional airport facility for an airline. They experienced the ultimate in luxury and Five-star service which reflects the airline's drive to excel in all areas of operations.
Qatar Airways recruited lounge staff from Five Star hotels and restaurants to work in the theatrestyle Global Brasserie kitchen, innovative Delicatessen, and elegant Signature Martini bar that are key features of the new Heathrow lounge which can accommodate over 90 passengers.
Following a landmark year in 2011, which saw Qatar Airways introduce 15 new destinations to its network and win the coveted Skytrax Airline of the Year Award, the airline's new Heathrow lounge is set to become the benchmark for international airport lounges.