The national airline has ordered 60 Boeing 777X, which al-Baker said would replace the current 777-300s and 777-200s that Qatar Airways operates.
He was speaking to reporters at a ceremony at the Doha International Airport to present the passenger version of the world's largest twin-engined jetliner, the 777X, which arrived in Doha Wednesday after staging a public debut at the Dubai Airshow.
“We will receive our first aircraft (777X) during 2023, in just under two years’ time. We are developing new cabin interiors for this airplane so that the passengers will have different amenities, over and above the high class product that they already enjoy in Qatar Airways.
“At Qatar Airways, we are never satisfied by giving you a seat and a meal. We want to give you comfort…we want to give you an atmosphere of feeling at home. We also want to give you a feel that you are special. So in that, we are constantly investing in improving our cabins and always raising the bar for other small carriers in our region to try and copy us,” al-Baker said.
Al-Baker noted, “The reason why we are always investing in new technology is to have a sustainable growth. This airplane is 20% more fuel efficient than the current 777s, which means we will be burning 20% less fuel… so less emissions from this airplane.”
In a recent interview with Gulf Times, Boeing managing director of Commercial Marketing for the Middle East and Africa Randy Heisey said, “Built on the success of the 777 and 787 Dreamliner families, the 777-9 will be the largest and most efficient twin-engine jet, unmatched in every aspect of performance. After delivery starting in late 2023, the 777X will provide an unmatched value proposition including the most payload capacity and lowest operating cost per seat of any widebody.
In addition, the 777X leverages several technologies proven on the 787 such as a new composite wing, which enhances fuel efficiency and reduces emissions, laminar flow nacelles, which save fuel and reduce emissions, large-format flight deck displays and available head-up displays for pilots and cabin features that enhance the experience for all onboard such as ‘Smoother Ride Technology’ to reduce the effects of turbulence; enhanced cabin altitude and humidity for greater comfort and significantly larger windows for more natural light.
Al-Baker told Gulf Times that 777X delivery in 2023, which was supposed to be in 2021 originally, “has nothing to do with the delays from Boeing.”
He said, “It is because of the regulators and as an aircraft manufacturer they (Boeing) have to comply with all the requirements of the regulator in order to give the satisfaction to both customers and to the operators.”