The global launch customer of the A350XWB, Qatar Airways, has announced expansion of its A350 services to Germany, with the new aircraft being deployed on its Doha – Munich route.

The Doha-based airline will be launching the extra widebody aircraft on the route from October 1, 2015, alongside its existing Boeing 787 Dreamliner service on one of the two double-daily flights to Munich. From November 1, 2015, the second daily flight will also be operated by the A350.

The airline first introduced its A350XWB aircraft on flights to the German market in January when it operated its Doha – Frankfurt route with the aircraft. The airline has also recently launched its third A350 aircraft to Singapore, with its fourth and fifth aircraft being added to the same route to serve all three daily flights by August 2015.

“The introduction of the A350 XWB aircraft to the Doha-Munich sector, which is an important and strategic route for Qatar Airways, will redefine the in-flight experience for our Munich-based passengers who travel to Doha and onwards to key destinations in the Middle East, Indian sub-continent, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker.

From October 1, the Doha – Munich A350 service will depart Doha at 08:20am, arriving into Munich at 13:25pm. The return flight will depart Munich at 16:35pm, arriving back into Doha at 23:05pm.

The second daily Doha – Munich A350 XWB service from November 1 will depart Doha at 02:15am, arriving into Munich at 06:30am. The return service departs Munich at 10:25am, arriving into Doha at 18:00pm.

Qatar Airways’ A350XWB are configured with 283 seats - with 36 seats in Business Class in a 1-2-1 configuration, featuring 80 inch fully flat horizontal beds, and 247 seats in Economy in a 3-3-3 configuration.

The airline currently operates three airbus A350XWB aircraft within its fleet and has 77 more on order. Qatar has been serving Munich since 1998 and currently operates 14 flights per week between Munich and the airline’s Doha base at Hamad International Airport.

“Qatar Airways is delighted to be the first airline in Germany to provide this unique offering of flying exclusively the A350 XWB to two key cities, reiterating the airline’s steadfast commitment to the market,” added Mr Al Baker

German carrier Lufthansa has also recently confirmed its plans to base its second A350-900 at the airline’s major hub in Munich at the end of 2016, after ordering 25 of the aircraft type, plus thirty options.