Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways’ Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport topped polls at the Skytrax World Airport Awards, where it was honoured with the highest accolade ‘Best Premium Service Airport’ in its category.

The award ranks the Five Star carrier’s Premium Terminal as the best in the world’s top three terminals by the respected aviation industry audit, Skytrax. The award further cements the Premium Terminal’s stature as a world class luxury facility for passengers to unwind and relax before their flight.

The airline’s Premium Terminal, which caters exclusively to Qatar Airways’ First and Business Class passengers, scored top marks among 39 categories such as terminal ambience and comfort, staff attitude, seating and business facilities, restaurant choice and check in and immigration facilities.

Opened in 2006, the Premium Terminal is the world’s only dedicated stand-alone facility solely for First and Business Class passengers.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the award recognised the importance the airline placed on delivering service at the highest levels.

“In the highly competitive industry we operate in, the latest Skytrax Award shows that our Premium terminal is seen as a benchmark across the world. It is also a great testament to the hard work and efforts of Qatar Airways’ staff to deliver a Five Star experience to the millions of passengers we serve every year and a huge motivation for us to continue to raise the bar in our product offering.”

Since its opening over four years ago, the Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport has received a great response from the travelling public based on the exceptional privileges it provides its guests.

Over 350 staff ensure a 24-hours-a-day, seven-day-a-week operation where the airline’s premium travellers are provided with the highest levels of comfort and hospitality prior to catching their flight.

With its expansive serene water features and sleek interior design, the 10,000sqm Premium Terminal offers plenty of room to relax and unwind. Facilities range from exclusive concierge-style seated check-in to duty-free shopping, a nursery and play area for children and fine dining offering international cuisine.

Travellers feeling peckish can treat themselves to healthy snacks at the newly-introduced ‘Global Deli’ offering freshly baked wholemeal organic bread, a selection of delicious Italian antipasti dishes and exotic fruits.

Offering free wireless access throughout the entire terminal and a spacious business centre with PC workstations and printers, business travellers can easily stay connected and make use of the latest work solutions such as a secretarial service and several meeting rooms with video conference facilities.

In Qatar Airways’ First Class section of the Premium Terminal, passengers can enjoy massages in a soothing spa environment, saunas, jacuzzis or just rest in one of the five bedrooms available for a little nap on a longer transit.

Since the opening of the new separate Doha Arrivals Terminal at Doha International Airport in December 2010, Qatar Airways has further enhanced its service spectrum for its premium travellers with the launch of a dedicated Premium Arrivals Lounge.

The Premium Arrivals Lounge for Qatar Airways’ First and Business Class passengers, which is located landside after immigration, reflects the same chic decor of Qatar Airways’ Premium Terminal and allows travellers to freshen up or prepare for business meetings before exiting the airport.

Passengers are greeted with all the modern complimentary amenities they wish for, ranging from all-day dining and a signature 24-hour breakfast to business centre facilities and showers where travellers are provided with luxury toiletries and fluffy bathrobes and towels.

Just five months in operation, the Qatar Airways Premium Arrivals Lounge has received a great response, especially among corporate travellers who value the possibility of having a comfortable retreat after arrival in Doha before the start of a hectic work day.

The independent Skytrax World Airport Awards are based on survey results from almost 12 million questionnaires completed by passengers of over 100 different nationalities covering more than 240 airports worldwide. The survey evaluates travellers experiences across 39 different airport services and product factors from check-in, arrivals, transfer to departure at the gate.

In 2010, Qatar Airways was also voted third best airline in the world following the annual Skytrax survey of 18 million international passengers.

Doha-based Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, operating a modern fleet of 97 aircraft to 100 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.