From left: Commissioner for Chicago Department of Aviation, Rosemarie Andolino; Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker; Qatar’s Ambassador to the US Mohamad bin Abdulla Al Rumaihi; and CEO of Choose Chicago, Don Welsh, during a ceremony yesterday to mark the arrival of Qatar Airways’ inaugural passenger flight to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. & Qatar Airways’ inaugural passenger flight from Doha to Chicago is welcomed by a traditional water salute at O’Hare International Airport.
CHICAGO: Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight to Chicago touched down at O’Hare International Airport yesterday marking the airline’s fourth US gateway.
With the launch of thrice-weekly passenger services between The Windy City and Doha, Chicago becomes Qatar Airways’ 126th destination.
Qatar Airways now operates 24 passenger flights a week between the US and Doha — daily from New York, Washington DC and Houston and the new thrice-weekly services from Chicago.
Effective June 15, the Chicago — Doha route will increase to a daily service. Qatar Airways also operates twice-weekly cargo flights between the two cities since August 2010.
Flight QR991 arrived to a warm welcome at an airport ceremony attended by Qatar’s Ambassador to the US Mohamad bin Abdulla Al Rumaihi, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker and airport officials, among others.
The new route offers a connection between Chicago and a number of destinations across the Middle East, Africa, India and Asia Pacific via Doha.
“After more than five successful years of operations in North America, we are pleased to introduce Chicago as our fourth and newest US gateway and look forward to welcoming travellers from the Midwest and its catchment area to fly with us to many parts of the world and, similarly welcome visitors from around the world to this great city,” said Al Baker.
“With the local tourism industry receiving 50 million visitors annually and Chicago being the headquarters of some of the world’s biggest corporates, including Boeing, there are many business opportunities linking our two cities and regions.
Qatar Airways today spreads its reach in North America and we are proud to say that our commitments here will continue,” he added.
City of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said: “Chicago is pleased to welcome Qatar Airways’ world-class service to our global gateway, O’Hare International Airport. This new international air service creates additional economic opportunities, increases tourism to our city and strengthens Chicago’s cultural and business connection to the world.
“This service will generate more than $200m in annual economic impact and will connect passengers from Chicago to destinations across India, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.”
Aside from Chicago, New York, Washington and Houston, Qatar Airways’ North American operations cover thrice-weekly services to Montreal.
Qatar Airways’ Doha–Chicago route is being operated with a Boeing 777-300 Extended Range aircraft in a two-class configuration of 293 seats in Economy Class and 42 in Business Class.
The aircraft features seatback TV screens providing all passengers in both cabins with the next generation interactive onboard entertainment system — a choice of more than 1,000 audio and video-on-demand options.
The Peninsula
