Pictures: Qatar Airways Receives First Airbus A380

Qatar Airways took delivery of its much-delayed first jumbo A380 aircraft in Hamburg on Tuesday.

The airline, which has 10 A380-800s on order, is preparing to take delivery of four of them before the end of this year.

The airline will first introduce A380 services on the Doha – London route from October, followed by Paris Charles De Gaulle shortly thereafter.

Speaking at the press conference group CEO Akbar Al Baker said: “The A380 that we are introducing is not just any A380; we have completely designed every element, giving it a signature touch that has never been seen before on board.

“Additionally, the newly opened Hamad International Airport, the airline’s hub in Doha, has been specifically created with the A380 in mind, with five contact gates dedicated only for this aircraft, making the experience smooth and effortless for passengers.”

The 517-seat aircraft is spread across twin decks in a tri-class configuration of eight seats in first class, 48 seats in business class and 461 in economy class.

The first class seats feature a 90-inch pitch with a fully flat bed, and the premium cabin is fitted with bespoke elements such as luxe finishings and tailor-made fabrics designed exclusively for the airline.

Qatar Airways will compete to offer A380 services in the region along with the world’s largest operator of the jumbo jet, Dubai’s Emirates, and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways, which is also due to start A380 services soon.