EFFECTIVE September 1, passengers flying Qatar Airways routes worldwide will have enhanced baggage allowances with additional baggage weight allowed per person. Economy weight allowances have increased from 23kg to 30kg while Business and First Class have each increased from 30kg and 40kg to 40kg and 50kg respectively. The number of bags remains the same and dependent on the type of ticket purchased. The increased weight allowance does not apply when traveling to points that are regulated by per-piece allowance. “Revising our standard baggage allowance comes at a time whereby the number of destinations we fly is increasing and our global reach is broadening,” said Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker. “The number of customers we see traveling for longer periods of time, whether for business or on holiday, reflects the necessity for increased baggage allowance no matter their destination. Those passengers who have traveled prior to September 1 will be able to take advantage of the increased baggage allowance on their return trip if travel is on September 1 or later. The company will also publish new Excess Baggage rates in September which will also see an increase. Passengers will be able to purchase Excess Baggage at discounted rates of up to 20% on qatarairways.com. Privilege Club members will continue to enjoy excess baggage allowance in addition to the new increased baggage allowance. Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 129 aircraft to 128 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas. Qatar Airways has so far launched six destinations – Qassim (Saudi Arabia), Najaf (Iraq), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Chicago (USA), Salalah (Oman), Basra (Iraq) and now Sulaymaniyah (Iraq). Over the next few weeks and months, the network will grow further with Chengdu, China (September 3), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (September 18), Clark International Airport, Philippines (October 28) and Philadelphia, USA (2 April 2014). Qatar Airways was presented with three honors at the annual Skytrax 2013 World Airline Awards held during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, France in June. The airline was awarded World's Best Business Class, World's Best Business Class Lounge and, for the second consecutive year, Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East. The airline has also been named Best Airline in the Middle East for the seventh year in a row, and its Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport named Best Premium Service Airport for the third consecutive year in 2013. Qatar Airways currently has orders worth over $50 billion for more than 250 aircraft, including Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s, A380s and A320 family of aircraft. Qatar Airways will become the first of the major Gulf carriers to join a global alliance having been invited into the oneworld group. — SG
