* Award-winning airline commences flights to Antalya one day following the launch of direct services to Bodrum
* Seasonal service to Antalya will be operated twice weekly by an Airbus A320 until 30 September
* Qatar Airways operates flights to seven gateways in Turkey
Qatar Airways’ first direct non-stop commercial flight to Antalya touched down at Antalya Airport today, inaugurating the award-winning airline’s newest Turkish destination. The flight marks Qatar Airways’ seventh gateway into Turkey, and is the third new Turkish route for the airline in 2018. The seasonal service to Antalya will be operated by an Airbus A320 until 30 September 2018.
Antalya is the largest city on the Turkish Mediterranean coast, and boasts a 400-mile sweep of white sand beaches and secluded coves. The ‘Gateway to the Turkish Riviera’ offers coastal scenery dotted with olive and citrus groves, avocado plantations and the Taurus Mountains, all set against a backdrop of yacht-filled marinas, traditional bazaars and Ottoman architecture. Antalya’s beautiful turquoise waters and ancient ruins attracts tourists from around the world.
Visitors can enjoy the many hotels in the coastal resort towns of Alanya, Side, Belek, Kas and Kalkan, or take a trip to Perge, Aspendos, Termesoss, or the Duden Waterfalls. Divers can explore the sunken city near Kekova, while golf lovers can perfect their swings at the various world-class golf courses in Belek.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are delighted to launch direct services to Antalya, our seventh gateway into Turkey, only one day after we commenced direct services to the Turkish resort city of Bodrum. These new routes reinforce and deepen the already strong ties that exist between the State of Qatar and Turkey. Antalya is a major destination during the summer leisure season, due to its prime location on the country’s beautiful Mediterranean coast. We are delighted to now be able to introduce holidaymakers to beautiful Antalya and all it has to offer.”
Qatar Airways’ new twice-weekly service to Antalya offers five-star comfort on its Airbus A320 aircraft, with 12 seats in Business Class and 132 seats in Economy Class. The seasonal service will be operated every Wednesday and Sunday until 30 September 2018.
Qatar Airways now operates flights to seven destinations in Turkey, with separate services to Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport (twice a day) and Istanbul Ataturk Airport (10 times a week), Adana Airport (three times a week), Hatay Airport (three times a week) and daily flights to Ankara. The award-winning airline launched direct services to Adana in September 2017 and to Hatay in February 2018. The new twice-weekly services to Bodrum and Antalya increase the airline’s total weekly frequency to 82 flights a week between Turkey and the State of Qatar.
As well as enjoying the award-winning in-flight service on board, passengers travelling to Antalya will also have access to Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system, offering the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more.
Qatar Airways currently holds the title of ‘Airline of The Year’ as awarded by the prestigious 2017 Skytrax World Airline Awards. In addition to being voted Best Airline by travellers from around the world, Qatar’s national carrier also won a raft of other major awards at the ceremony, including ‘Best Airline in the Middle East,’ ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge’.
Qatar Airways connects Turkey to more than 150 destinations via its award-winning Hamad International Airport (HIA), and also offers seamless connecting flights from the Far East, Australia, the Middle East and beyond. The national carrier of the State of Qatar has a modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft flying to business and leisure destinations across six continents.
Earlier this year, the airline revealed a host of forthcoming global destinations, in line with its expedited expansion plans, including Tallinn, Estonia; Valletta, Malta; Cebu and Davao, Philippines; Langkawi, Malaysia; Da Nang, Vietnam; and Málaga, Spain.
Flight Schedule: (13 June – 30 September)
Doha (DOH) to Antalya (AYT) QR 315 departs 07:05 arrives 11:30 (Wednesday, Sunday)
Antalya (AYT) to Doha (DOH) QR 316 departs 12:30 arrives 16:30 (Wednesday, Sunday)
