Qatar Airways gives away 100,000 free tickets to healthcare professionals

Qatar Airways is giving away 100,000 free tickets to frontline healthcare professionals across the globe. A way of saying thank you for selflessly risking their lives to care for people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We at Qatar Airways are incredibly grateful for the commitment and hard work of healthcare professionals around the world who looked after people in these times of uncertainty,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker in a statement. “Their heroic display of kindness, dedication, and professionalism has saved hundreds of thousands of lives around the world.”

The giveaway opened on May 12 and will close at 23:59 on May 18 (Doha time). Healthcare professionals can register for this exclusive offer by submitting a form online. Professionals will receive a unique promotion code which will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Healthcare professionals from every country in the world will be eligible for tickets. To ensure the application process is fair and transparent, each country will receive a daily allocation of tickets. The allocation will depend on its population size, staggered over a seven-day period from 12 to 18 May. The daily allocation will be released at 00:01 AM Doha time throughout the campaign period.

Eligible healthcare professions are limited to doctors, medical practitioners, nurses, paramedics, pharmacists, lab technicians and clinical researchers. They must present a valid employer ID at the airport at the point of check-in.

Complimentary tickets for two

The 100,000 healthcare professionals who receive the promotion code can book up to two complimentary Economy Class return tickets on Qatar Airways operated flights — one for themselves and one for a companion — to anywhere on the airline’s global network.

Tickets must be booked before 26 November, with travel valid until 10 December 2020.

The tickets will be fully flexible, with an unlimited number of destination or date changes allowed without any fees. Fare and surcharges will be waived on tickets, airport taxes apply.

Giving back

“We have built a strong level of trust with passengers, governments, trade partners, and airports as a reliable partner during this crisis and we intend to continue delivering on this mission by acknowledging the incredible efforts of these heroes. Our crew and operation has never given up during these past three months, never abandoned hope or their mission to help people get home to their loved ones and we do not intend to do so now,” said Akbar Al Baker.

“United in dedication, we share our gratitude. Now it is our turn to give something back to those on the healthcare frontline. There are no words or gestures that are enough to repay these brave men and women but we hope that our small offer of a complimentary return flight on Qatar Airways will allow them to enjoy a well-deserved holiday, visit family and friends or explore a destination they have always dreamed of, as travel restrictions start to ease.”

Wait, there’s more

As a further gesture of appreciation, Qatar Airways also offers healthcare professionals a voucher with 35% discount to redeem at Qatar Duty Free retail outlets at the airline’s state-of-the-art hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha. The voucher is valid for use up to December 31, 2020.

Qatar Airways has begun a phased approach to expanding its network in line with passenger demand evolution and the expected relaxation of entry restrictions around the world. It aims to rebuild its network to an initial 52 destinations by the end of May and 80 in June.

Qatar Airways’ hygiene & safety measures

Qatar Airways maintains the highest possible hygiene standards. These include the regular disinfection of aircraft, the use of cleaning products recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and thermal screening of crew.

In addition, Qatar Airways’ aircraft feature the most advanced air filtration systems. They are equipped with industrial-size HEPA filters that remove 99.97% of viral and bacterial contaminants from re-circulated air, providing the most effective protection against infection. All the airline’s onboard linen and blankets are washed, dried, and pressed at microbial lethal temperatures. The headsets are rigorously sanitized after each flight, and ear foams are removed. These items are then sealed into individual packaging by staff wearing hygienic disposable gloves.

Qatar Aircraft Catering Company (QACC) was the first organization in the world last year to achieve ISO22000:2018 certification from Bureau Veritas with UKAS accreditation, confirming its Food Safety Management System meets the highest standards. All meal service utensils and cutlery are washed with detergents and rinsed with demineralized fresh water at temperatures that kill pathogenic bacteria. All sanitized equipment is handled by staff wearing hygienic disposable gloves, while cutlery is individually re-packed.

About Qatar Airways

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’, and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. It is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted ‘Skytrax Airline of the Year’ title, which is recognized as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times.

Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 160 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.