• Airline will offer a unique dining experience in the skies and on the ground

• National carrier is committed to supporting Qatari nationals through its Al Darb Qatarisation Programme

Qatar Airways is proud to celebrate Qatar National Day by creating special moments inspired by Qatari culture and local traditions on board and at Hamad International Airport’s Al Mourjan Business Lounge.

Qatar National Day commemorates the founding of the State of Qatar on 18 December 1878 by Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, under whom Qatar became a single, coherent nation and an independent, unified country.

On flights from Doha, all passengers will be taken on a journey of flavours with Qatari cuisine, a limited- edition menu card representing the iconic Qatar National Museum and a dessert inspired by the renowned desert rose. On select flights, passengers in premium cabins will be treated to traditional Arabic coffee and dates, and will also receive a commemorative magnet as a keepsake.

In celebration of Qatar National Day, the airline has also introduced bespoke touches at the Al Mourjan Business Lounge at Hamad International Airport. Upon arriving to the lounge, passengers will be welcomed with Arabic coffee and dates and will enjoy decorations of white and burgundy roses, which resemble the colours of the national flag of Qatar. When passengers are ready to dine, they can taste an array of main dishes and desserts from the buffet or à-la-carte menu that take inspiration from local Qatari cuisine.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Despite the ongoing global pandemic and disruption across the world, we are delighted to be celebrating Qatar National Day, and offering our passengers a variety of special offerings and arrangements on board and on the ground. This precious occasion gives us the opportunity to celebrate together as one nation, demonstrating our pride to our beloved home, the State of Qatar.”

In addition to Qatar Airways’ on board and lounge activities, Hamad International Airport will be dressed with the Qatar National Day slogan and flags. Qatar Duty Free will also bring the flavours of the country to customers with Qatari-inspired dishes using local ingredients at Harrods Tea Room – the menu includes Qatari farmed seabass, machboos, slow cooked braised lamb shank, spring chicken, orange basboosa, saffron cake and rose umali, along with afternoon tea.

The wider Qatar Airways Group will be celebrating the occasion of Qatar National Day with a range of digital-led activities for its employees around the world. The Qatari flag will also be displayed across the façade of the airline’s Doha-based buildings.

The airline is committed to the development of young Qataris through its Al Darb Qatarisation Programme. Al Darb is a Qatari word that means ‘The Pathway’, and highlights the different paths that individuals can take with Qatar Airways through initiatives such as its Summer Internship Programme and Graduate Developee Programme. With a total of eight Al Darb programmes, national students and graduates are provided with real-life projects that add to their work experience and prepare them for a successful career with the national carrier of the State of Qatar. Nationals are an important pillar as the airline further establishes efforts to support the Qatar National Vision 2030 towards a sustainable Qatar.  

Qatar’s national vision aims that by 2030, the nation will become an advanced society capable of sustaining its development and providing a high standard of living for its people. 

Throughout 2020, the Qatar Airways Group was proud to play a role in supporting the State of Qatar’s successful efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 within the country, working closely with the local authorities including the Ministry of Public Health to implement new safety measures and comply with government directives.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’, and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. It is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times.