NEW YORK, Sept. 04, 2024 – In a move set to redefine luxury travel, Qatar Airways, recognized as the ‘World’s Best Airline,’ has announced an interline partnership with BLADE Air Mobility, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLDE), a pioneering global Urban Air Mobility platform. This strategic alliance, unveiled today, allows Qatar Airways passengers to seamlessly extend their journeys to or from Monaco with a single ticket, integrating commercial flights with BLADE’s helicopter services directly to the heart of Monaco. Upon arrival at the Monte Carlo heliport, a dedicated BLADE limousine service will ensure a smooth transition to their final destination within Monaco.
This collaboration between Qatar Airways and BLADE underscores a shared commitment to delivering an unparalleled passenger experience. Both companies are renowned for their dedication to excellence and innovation in travel. Notably, both Qatar Airways, the Global Partner and Official Airline of Formula 1®, and BLADE, which transports more passengers to the Monaco Grand Prix than any other event globally, share a strong affinity for Formula One, making this partnership particularly synergistic for events like the Grand Prix.
“We are continuously seeking innovative avenues to enhance the BLADE passenger journey. From our newly launched lounges in Nice and Monaco to this streamlined single-ticket experience with Qatar Airways, especially beneficial during peak events like the Monaco Grand Prix,” stated Melissa Tomkiel, President and General Counsel of BLADE. “We are thrilled to extend this premium offering to passengers traveling to Monaco and anticipate expanding this partnership to other sought-after private aviation destinations within BLADE’s extensive network across Europe and the United States.”
The benefits of this partnership extend beyond arrival. Passengers flying with BLADE from Monaco to Nice Airport will enjoy the convenience of having their luggage checked through directly to their final destination. Upon landing at Nice Airport, they will be escorted to an exclusive, expedited security checkpoint located at the helipad, ensuring swift customs clearance and direct transfer to their departure gate, bypassing standard airport security lines.
Thierry Antinori, Chief Commercial Officer of Qatar Airways, commented: “As the World’s Best Airline, Qatar Airways is dedicated to continuously enhancing our passenger services. This partnership with BLADE is a testament to this commitment, offering an exclusive and efficient travel solution that aligns with the high standards of service Qatar Airways is known for. It provides our passengers with quick, efficient, and scenic routes to premier destinations, and is particularly advantageous for those attending world-class events like the Monaco Grand Prix, all through the convenience of a single ticket.”
This alliance with Qatar Airways marks another significant step in BLADE’s strategic vision to collaborate with the world’s leading air carriers. BLADE has recently announced a similar partnership with Emirates and is currently in its second year of a successful New York-based partnership with JetBlue Airways, further solidifying its position as a leader in urban air mobility integration with global airlines.
About Blade
BLADE is at the forefront of urban air mobility, utilizing technology to offer efficient and cost-effective air transportation alternatives in congested areas. As the largest facilitator of urban air travel to and from city centers, BLADE offers by-the-seat scheduled flights connecting key destinations such as Manhattan and JFK/Newark airports, Vancouver and Victoria, and Nice and Monaco. For more information, please visit flyblade.com/investors. Explore BLADE’s helicopter and jet charter routes.
About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, a multiple award-winning airline, was recently honored as the ‘World’s Best Airline’ for an unprecedented eighth time at the 2024 World Airline Awards by Skytrax. Consistently recognized for excellence, Qatar Airways has earned this prestigious title in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024. In addition to the top global award, Qatar Airways also received accolades for ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’ in 2024. A leader in innovation, Qatar Airways was also named ‘World’s Best Airline Website’ by World Travel Tech Awards.
Qatar Airways is committed to environmental sustainability and was the first airline in the Middle East to achieve the highest level of IATA’s Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) program. Further demonstrating its commitment to global responsibility, Qatar Airways was the first airline certified to the industry standard for preventing illegal wildlife trafficking in aviation, as a signatory to the Buckingham Palace Declaration in March 2016.
Qatar Airways network spans over 170 destinations worldwide, connecting through its hub at Hamad International Airport in Doha, which has been voted the ‘World’s Best Airport’ by Skytrax in 2021, 2022, and 2024. Hamad International Airport also holds the distinction of ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for ten consecutive years and ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’ for the second year running in 2024.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement includes forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of Blade’s control. Actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences are detailed in Blade’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including their most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Blade undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements.
Press Contacts
For Media Relations
Lee Gold
[email protected]
For Investor Relations
Mathew Schneider
[email protected]
Source: Blade Air Mobility, Inc.
Released September 4, 2024
