Neymar, Lewandowski and Cafu star in Qatar Airways’ new football-themed safety video

3, December 2019/in News /by Natalie

Qatar Airways has turned a pre-match team-talk into an entertaining safety video that will be shown on board flights before the end of the year. Featuring football legends past and present, the video delivers important safety information with the help of personalities from the airline’s ongoing partnerships with AS Roma, Bayern Munich and FIFA.

The film stars Brazilian footballer Neymar Jr, Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski and AS Roma legend Cafu, who are led through the in-flight safety routine by a comedic double act of coach and kitman played by British television regular Jason Thorpe and comedy actor Ross Hatt.

Directed by Peter Lydon, who co-wrote the script with award-winning creative agency 180 Kingsday, the six-minute film is designed for Qatar Airways’ global, family audience. Mirroring the airline’s latest advertising campaigns, the film seeks to add a playful spin to a vital part of the in-flight experience.

Qatar Airways Senior Vice President Marketing and Corporate Communications, Ms Salam Al Shawa, said:

At Qatar Airways, safety is priority one and we want to ensure everyone, including our most frequent travellers, watches our safety briefings. The wonderfully creative concept from 180 Kingsday will capture our passengers’ attention whilst providing a fun, light-hearted video to get the in-flight entertainment underway. The level of quality and attention to detail in this video is paramount and I am sure the content will both inform and amuse our global passengers of all ages.

Kalle Hellzen, Executive Creative Director at 180 Kingsday, said:

Humour has been shown to increase memory, so there seems to be no better way to communicate such important information than by making it fun. As always, the world of Qatar Airways enchants.

Paul Baker, Sales Director of Global Travel Management, said:

In-flight safety videos aren’t always the most entertaining or interesting. But Qatar Airways has produced a great video, especially for football fans. When you next fly on Qatar, look out for some of the world’s best-known football stars.

And, while you’re on-board, check out Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system. It offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, B777, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.

Qatar Airways was recently named ‘Airline of the Year’ for the fifth time by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘Best Business Class Seat’, and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’.

Please contact your GTM Account Manager to book flights on Qatar – whether you’re travelling on business, or just for the football…

Airbus to stop production of the A380

14, February 2019/in News /by Dave

Chief Executive Tom Enders has confirmed that Airbus will stop building the A380.

Following a review of its operations, and in light of developments in aircraft and engine technologies, Emirates is reducing its A380 orderbook from 162 to 123 aircraft. Emirates will take delivery of 14 further A380s over the next two years. As a consequence and given the lack of order backlog with other airlines, Airbus will cease deliveries of the A380 in 2021.

Emirates has decided to continue growing with Airbus’ newest generation, flexible widebody aircraft, ordering 40 A330-900 and 30 A350-900 aircraft.

Enders said,

As a result of this decision we have no substantial A380 backlog and hence no basis to sustain production, despite all our sales efforts with other airlines in recent years. This leads to the end of A380 deliveries in 2021. The consequences of this decision are largely embedded in our 2018 full year results.

The A380 is not only an outstanding engineering and industrial achievement. Passengers all over the world love to fly on this great aircraft. Hence today’s announcement is painful for us and the A380 communities worldwide. But, keep in mind that A380s will still roam the skies for many years to come and Airbus will of course continue to fully support the A380 operators.

Guillaume Faury, President of Airbus Commercial Aircraft and future Airbus CEO, said:

The A380 is Emirates’ flagship and has contributed to the airline’s success for more than ten years. As much as we regret the airline’s position, selecting the A330neo and A350 for its future growth is a great endorsement of our very competitive widebody aircraft family. Going forward, we are fully committed to deliver on the longstanding confidence Emirates is placing in Airbus.

Airbus will start discussions with its social partners in the next few weeks regarding the 3,000 to 3,500 positions potentially impacted over the next three years. However, the ongoing A320 ramp-up and the new widebody order from Emirates Airline will offer a significant number of internal opportunities.

British Airways – First A380 Enters Service.

24, September 2013/in News /by Paul

British Airways’ first A380 flew its first official longhaul service today with its inaugural flight to Los Angeles.

Five A380 services a week will now operate between London Heathrow and Los Angeles, increasing to a double daily service from 10 April 2014.

From 22 October, daily A380 services will start between London Heathrow and Hong Kong. Johannesburg is the third A380 destination, with services planned to start from 12 February 2014.

British Airways took delivery of its second A380 over the past weekend, with a third due next month.

Your chance to try a short-haul flight on an A380…

30, August 2013/in News /by Paul

British Airways is currently flying its new Airbus A380 aircraft between London Heathrow and Frankfurt on selected flights.

The aircraft’s official inaugural flight is on Tuesday 24th September between London Heathrow and LAX. In the meantime, grab your chance of flying on the A380 in Europe. Please call us for further information.

BA A380 Flights Go On Sale.

26, July 2013/in News /by Paul

British Airways has announced that customers can now book seats on their new Airbus A380 aircraft to Hong Kong, Johannesburg and Los Angeles.

Seats are available now for Hong Kong services commencing 22nd October 2013, and for Johannesburg from 12th February 2014 and, lastly, for the double-daily service to Los Angeles from 10th April 2014. Seats to LAX on one of the five flights each week, starting 24th September 2013, are also on sale now.

BA’s A380’s will all offer a total of 469 seats split over four cabins, namely, World Traveller, World Traveller Plus (WTP), Club World & First. There will be 14 seats in First on the main deck, with a total of 97 seats in Club World, split between both the main and upper decks. Whilst WTP will be situated on the upper deck with 55 seats. World Traveller cabins will be split over both decks.

Your Corporate Travel Newsletter

20, June 2012/in Corporate Travel Newsletter /by Paul

Singapore Airlines – All A380 From London.

All three of Singapore Airlines’ services from London Heathrow to Singapore are now operated solely by Airbus A380 aircraft; previously one of the three daily services was operated using a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

From this October, Singapore Airlines will also add an additional fourth daily rotation between London & Singapore. The new service will be gradually phased in starting from Friday 14th September, before becoming a daily service during week commencing 21st October.

Emirates’ Business Rewards Program.

Business Rewards is a loyalty program open to companies whose employees travel around the world with Emirates.

Customers can enrol online and subsequently earn Business Rewards Miles, which can then be redeemed for flights or upgrades. Individual Skywards frequent flyer members will continue to earn and collect the same number of Skywards Miles as they always have.

SAA To Axe Cape Town Service.

The 15th August 2012 will see South African Airways’ (SAA) last service from London to Cape Town. SAA has blamed its decision (to withdraw the service) on increased competition by both, direct and indirect airlines, reduced demand, increases in the UK’s Air Passenger Duty and the introduction of a £52 visa fee for South Africans travelling to the UK.

New Virgin Atlantic Service To Vancouver.

Virgin Atlantic has launched a new four times weekly service to Vancouver from London Heathrow. Services operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays in both directions.

Construction Work At LAX.

Please note that construction work inside the international terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), may result in longer walks, or passengers being bussed to/from their aircraft.

The work is scheduled to take approximately 6 months, lasting until the end of November. Because of this many airlines are advising passengers to allow at least 75 minutes for check in, if they have hold luggage, and 60 minutes for those with hand luggage only. This is to allow extra time to clear security and reach the departure gate a minimum of 40 minutes prior to departure.

AA To Go Ten Across.

As widely predicted, American Airlines will adopt a dense ten across layout (3-4-3) for the economy cabin of its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which enter service this December.

At present American’s existing fleet of Boeing 777 aircraft are configured 2-5-2, by comparison British Airways fleet of 777’s are configured 3-3-3.

The aircraft with the new economy class layout will enter service between Dallas and Sao Paulo, and is also planned to operate from Dallas to London on December 30th, followed by New York JFK to Heathrow on February 14th 2013.

The move to the new ten across lay out has been made to reduce operating costs so that American can keep its fares as low as possible.

Two New Hotels Open In London.

Two new hotels have recently opened their doors in central London. Firstly, the 5* Bulgari Hotel & Residences, is situated at 171 Knightsbridge.

Secondly, the ME London is located on the Strand, at the southern tip of Covent Garden. With its very central location, the hotel is only a short walk to Fleet Street and EC4, the River Thames, Waterloo Bridge and the theatre district.