Qatar flag carrier wins multiple culinary travel awards

NEW YORK, NY – Qatar Airways, the world’s five-star airline, won three honors, including a top Readers’ Choice award in SAVEUR Magazine annual Culinary Travel Awards.

Winners of the Culinary Travel Awards, one of the industry’s premier recognition events, were announced on September 8th and represent “the world’s best cities, markets, restaurants, bars, hotels, airlines, and other experiences.”

Qatar Airways, the World’s 5-Star Airline, collected three honors in three categories:

Readers’ Choice: Airport Lounge for Qatar Airways at London Heathrow Airport
Notable Airport Lounge for Qatar Airways Premium Terminal, Doha International Airport
Notable In-Flight Dining (First & Business Class)
“At Qatar Airways, we are always seeking new ways to exceed expectations and provide unforgettable passenger experiences, both onboard our aircraft, in our Premium Lounges around the world, and at our home base in the new state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker. “It is an honor to be recognized for the work we do, providing our customers with an unmatched level of luxury and comfort while they travel.”

Both of Qatar Airways’ Premium Lounges were recognized in the Best Airport Lounge category. The airline’s lounge at London Heathrow is one of the most highly regarded in the world. It appeals to SAVEUR readers with features like a gourmet restaurant with an open theater-style kitchen, a delicatessen with organic and international lighter fare, luxurious private showers, and a business center with WiFi, PCs, and printers.

The airline’s new ground-breaking premium traveler lounge was unveiled just last month at Hamad International Airport and is already garnering widespread praise. Named the Al Mourjan Business Lounge, it occupies a space the size of 10 Olympic-sized pools and can accommodate up to 1,000 people.

“We never compromise on quality and the new Al Mourjan Business Lounge is proof of this,” said Mr. Al Baker. “From the many dining options, the workstations, the family spaces, the games rooms, and the private quiet rooms, we have set a new standard for luxury and comfort in an airport lounge.”

Qatar Airways was also recognized for its service in the sky. Besides offering fully lie-flat seats with built in back massagers, and more than 1,000 forms of entertainment through the 17″ personal touch-screen TVs, the airline provides one of the best dining experiences available at 30,000 feet. The First and Business Class menus are designed by an all-star roster of celebrity chefs from around the world: Nobu Matsuhisa, Tom Aikens, Vineet Bhatia, and Ramzi Choueiri, who have a combined five Michelin Stars between them. And the airline works with a certified Master of Wine, James Cluer, who selects the vintages they serve onboard specifically to be tasted at altitude.

“Qatar Airways has always been committed to combining cutting edge aviation technology with services and amenities that harken back to the golden age of luxury travel,” said Mr. Al Baker. “We are grateful to the readers and editors of Saveur for recognizing all the work we do to make flying with us a five-star experience.”

Qatar Airways has won multiple awards for its superior service since launching in 1994. The airline was named World’s Best Business Class, Best Middle East Airline, and Best Business Class Lounge at the recent Skytrax Awards 2014. It also won Best Business Class and Best Airline for International Travel at the 2014 Business Travel Awards and has previously been named Airline of the Year by Skytrax, Air Transport News, and Business Aviation.

Qatar Airways currently flies to more than 140 destinations across the globe, including eight destinations in North America: Washington, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Montreal.