Qatar Airways To Operate World’s First Fully COVID-19 Vaccinated Flight

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There’s a special scenic flight taking place today over the skies of Doha, Qatar. Qatar Airways will operate the world’s first flight in which all crew and passengers have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Additionally, all of the airline’s staff at check-in will also be vaccinated. The flight, QR6421, is set to depart Doha’s Hamad International Airport at 11:00 local time and return there at 14:00. Let’s look at the significance of this flight and what passengers will be doing in the air for three hours.

The flight is a world-first but will hopefully be followed by many more. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

QR6421, from Doha to Doha

So, with a scheduled three-hour flight around Doha, what will take place during the world’s first fully COVID-19 vaccinated flight?

According to the airline, flight QR6421 will “showcase all the measures the airline has put in place to ensure the highest standards of safety and hygiene onboard, including its latest innovation, the world’s first ‘Zero-Touch’ in-flight entertainment technology.” 

The airline group’s leader added the following statement:

“Today’s special flight demonstrates the next stage in the recovery of international travel is not far away. We are proud to continue leading the industry by operating the first flight with a fully vaccinated crew and passengers and providing a beacon of hope for the future of international aviation. With aviation being a critical economic driver both globally and here in the State of Qatar, we are thankful for the support we have received from our government and local health authorities to vaccinate our staff, with over 1,000 vaccinations being administered per day.” -His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive

The flight is a demonstration flight and media opportunity, which will begin and end at Doha’s Hamad International Airport. Photo: Qatar Airways

A pandemic performer

As part of its media statement, the airline also noted its achievements during this catastrophic global health crisis. These include:

  • A continuity of operations throughout the peak of the pandemic in April and May to help repatriate millions of stranded passengers and transport essential medical supplies.
  • Implementing the latest innovations in biosafety and hygiene.
  • The transportation of more than 500,000 tonnes of medical supplies and delivery of close to 20,000,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines to over 20 countries.
  • Being the first airline in the Middle East to begin trials of the new IATA Travel Pass ‘Digital Passport’ mobile app.
  • Giving away 100,000 complimentary return tickets to healthcare workers and 21,000 to teachers around the world in 2020.
The airline also notes that the aircraft operating this special service will be an Airbus A350-1000. With an already efficient aircraft, this “flight to nowhere” will also be fully carbon offset “in line with carrier’s environmental responsibilities.” Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

As the vaccine rollout begins to gather pace worldwide, Qatar Airways says that it will remain committed to being a reliable airline, “operating one of the largest global networks to provide the connectivity needed to reunite families and friends and support global trade.”

What do you think about this flight and Qatar Airways’ achievements throughout the past year? Let us know in the comments.



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