British Airways gets two out of ten according to Qatar Airways’ Akbar Al Baker.

But that was under the old regime.  

Akbar al Baker, chief executive of the Doha-based airline, is much more enthusiastic regarding Sean Doyle and the new team. ”He’s a very good leader.  He has my confidence.  British Airways will come back to its old glory.”  

In an enthralling interview conducted via Zoom the engaging Al Baker was as controversial as ever with a dig at arch enemy Sir Tim Clark, a near neighbour at Emirates, and his huge fleet of 122 Airbus A380s.  Soon Qatar Airways will only have five, presumably retained for the ‘blue ribbon’ Doha – Heathrow route.

One initiative that Doyle has introduced is vaccine passports. Al Baker thinks BA is getting ahead in that area. He is doing the same, testing the new International Air Transport Association (IATA)’vax app’ on flights between Doha and Istanbul. Passengers upload their vaccine status and PCR test results and can, if regulations allow, avoid quarantine. “Coronavirus is going to be a fact of life. We’ll have to live with it,” he said.

Premium Economy is not for Qatar Airways.  “It’s the most uncomfortable seat. You can’t rest your feet on the floor. And they give you the same meal, the same bottle of wine, or whatever they give in Economy.”  

Qatar Airways owns 25% of IAG, British Airways’ parent company.

The Sunday Times 18 April 2021.

Also see AND FINALLY in this week's BTN.