The First Fully COVID-19 Vaccinated Flight

Only vaccinated crew and passengers can board QR6421 as it departs Hamad International Airport. The Airbus A350-1000, the airline's most technologically sophisticated and environmentally friendly aircraft, will fly the special service. In keeping with the airline's environmental obligations, the flight was also entirely carbon offset.

"Today's special flight shows the next step in the recovery of international travel is not far away," said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker. "Being at the forefront, setting the highest level of safety and customer support, is in Qatar Airways DNA," he said. Qatar Airways was the first and only carrier to receive the Skytrax Airline of the Year award five years before the pandemic. The airline continued to travel to assist with the repatriation of millions of displaced travelers as well as the transportation of vital medical supplies.

Qatar Airways has participated in the shipment of over 500,000 tons of medical equipment and the supply of over 20,000,000 vaccine doses to over 20 countries. Passengers will get 100,000 free return tickets for healthcare staff and 21,000 for students. Qatar Airways has been awarded the coveted 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by Skytrax, making it the first global airline to do so. This comes on the heels of HIA being named the first and only airport in the Middle East and Asia to receive a 5-star SkyTrax Airport Safety Rating.

Qatar Airways is the first Middle Eastern airline to start evaluating the new IATA Travel Pass 'Digital Passport' smartphone app. Passengers can access the most up-to-date updates on COVID-19 health legislation in their destination country with this pass. The airline has received several awards, including the title of "World's Best Airline" at the 2019 World Airline Awards. SKYTRAX World Airport Awards 2020 named Hamad International Airport (HIA) the 'Best Airport in the Middle East' for the sixth year in a row and the 'third best in the world.'