Qatar Airways Star-studded Launch Party

The ten year-old, five star rated airline recently hosted a star-studded gala dinner and concert to launch their new services to the US. The Allen Room, a spectacular venue in New York City’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, was the setting for dinner and an intimate concert by legendary Diana Ross. Qatar Airways CEO, Akbar Al Baker, graciously welcomed luminaries, VIPs, and members of the press to a spectacular evening designed by acclaimed event impresario Colin Cowie.

Celebrities, business tycoons, socialites, and entertainment personalities joined the US Ambassador to the State of Qatar, His Excellency Chase Untermeyer, at this lavish red carpet event. Enjoying champagne and caviar at the private reception were Mr. and Mrs. Donald Trump, Andie MacDowell, Julianne Moore, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Chloe Sevigny, Gayle King, Olivia Chantecaille, CeCe Cord, Tara Subkoff, Stephen and Christine Schwarzman, Allen and Deborah Grubman, Nina Griscom, Dennis Basso, Marjorie Gubelmann, Sloan Lindemann Barnett, Eric Villency and Kimberly Guilfoyle, Anne Dexter Jones, Nina Griscom, Mary McFadden, Rufus Albermarle, Thom Browne, Intrigue Music's Mike Mayer, and many others who were all anticipating the evenings festivities.

After cocktails guests were invited into the fabulous dining room where Andie MacDowell introduced the line-up for the evening. CNN International TV presenter and host of “CNN Business Traveler,” Richard Quest introduced Qatar Airways Chief Executive Office Akbar Al Baker, who spoke of his pride in finally bringing Qatar Airways five star service to New York. His dedication to quality and service impressed this select group of frequent international travelers.

Diana Ross. Yes, the legend’s concert was mesmerizing and captivated the audience. The evening’s planner Colin Cowie, a connoisseur of style whose clients includes Oprah Winfrey, Jerry Seinfeld, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Michael Jordan, and Hugh Hefner, equally impressed the guests. The launch of the US flights are the highlight of Qatar Airways’ route expansion, which recently included Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Bali, Ho Chi Minh City, Chennai, and Geneva to the carrier’s burgeoning network. On November 30, the carrier launches service to the Swedish capital, Stockholm. Qatar Airways’ fleet will almost double in size to 110 aircraft by 2015. We are looking forward for our front-of-cabin travel on this five star airline for our Qatar Airways coverage for eCityofTravel and eCityofStyle.

www.qatarairways.com

Story By Ken Panton, Photography by Photography by Patrick Mcmullan of www.ecityoftravel.com