Qatar Airways History: 1993 to Today – Airline Employee Shop

Qatar Airways History

Qatar Airways started in 1994 with two leased jets and a few Gulf routes, and grew into a global oneworld carrier with an oryx on every tail. Here's a short history of Qatar Airways, plus the Qatar Airways collection that celebrates them.

A small start (1993-1996)

Qatar Airways was established by the government of Qatar on November 22, 1993, and began flying on January 20, 1994. The first fleet was a leased Boeing 737-200 and a leased Airbus A310, flying from Doha to Sharjah and Dubai. By the end of 1994, A310s served London Gatwick, Amman, Cairo, Mumbai and Madras. In 1995 two ex-All Nippon Boeing 747SRs joined the fleet.

A fresh start (1996-2012)

Akbar Al Baker became chief executive in November 1996 and refocused the airline on business travellers, with fewer routes and higher service levels. In March 1997 a new grey-and-burgundy livery debuted on Airbus A300-600Rs, keeping the oryx on the tail. London flights launched the same year. Qatar withdrew from Gulf Air in 2002. The first Boeing 777-300ER arrived in November 2007. On November 12, 2012, Qatar took its first Boeing 787, the first delivered to a Middle Eastern airline.

New hub, new alliance (2013-today)

The airline became fully state-owned in 2013 and joined the oneworld alliance on October 29, 2013. On May 27, 2014, operations moved from Doha International to the new Hamad International Airport. The first Airbus A380 arrived in September 2014. That December, as launch customer, Qatar received the world's first Airbus A350, which flew its first revenue service on January 15, 2015. The Qsuite business class was unveiled in March 2017. In 2025 Skytrax named Qatar Airways the World's Best Airline for a record ninth time.

A few things collectors love

  • The Arabian oryx logo, which has stayed on the tail since the airline's early years.
  • The 25th anniversary retro livery, painted on Boeing 777-300ER A7-BAC in 2022, recalling the original burgundy scheme.
  • Qatar Airways was the launch customer for the Airbus A350, taking the first one in December 2014.

Shop Qatar Airways

Browse Qatar Airways logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the Qatar Airways collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for your travels.

AirlineEmployeeShop.com is an independent retailer of airline memorabilia. This page is for historical interest and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Qatar Airways.