Qatar Airways’ Dramatic Formula 1 Boeing 777-300ER Flyover

Two months ago in mid-August, Qatar Airways hinted at the reveal of a special livery painted on one of its Boeing 777-300ERs in conjunction with a partnership with Formula 1. Then, a few days ago, the airline welcomed the BTW Alpine F1 Team and more to Doha for the official grand livery showcase ahead of the qualifying race.

With the qualifying done and dusted on Friday and today being the highly anticipated race day, the official global airline partner of Formula 1 and the specially painted aircraft performed a dedicated flyover at the racing circuit on Saturday. An aircraft sighted at the Grand Prix? You certainly read that right.

Photo: Qatar Airways

Return of the Qatar Grand Prix

For only the second time in racing history, the Formula 1 Grand Prix returned to Qatar at the Lusail International Circuit. And in conjunction with the comeback, Qatar Airways penned a new partnership with Formula 1 earlier this year, whereby the multi-year collaboration will see the airline taking the title sponsorship of three races this season.

These include the Qatar Airways Grand Prix – which takes place from October 6th to the 8th, as one of the sponsored races this season. The inked partnership will also see Qatar Airways serving as BWT Alpine F1’s official airline partner, as highlighted when the racing team and Formula 1’s Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali were formally invited to Doha’s Hamad International Airport a few days ago.

The guests were also introduced to a spectacular aircraft showcase during this invitation. This aircraft is none other than one of Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777-300ERs registered A7-BEL and has since been painted in the airline’s official Formula 1 livery in support of the ongoing partnership. While the aircraft has already been in active service, its introduction as the Formula 1 aircraft was not indeed emphasized yet. It joins a long list of unique F1 liveries over the years.

Flying over the circuit

That was, until Saturday when anticipated crowds gathered at the Lusail International Circuit, thinking they would witness live racing actions and nothing else. As the racing teams did Sping Shootout and Sprint races and racing enthusiasts settled in to soak in the atmosphere, a sudden familiar loud noise was heard looming close to the circuit – except it wasn’t the noise of any race car.

As everyone looked to the skies, the sight of A7-BEL making its Formula 1 flyover debut was warmly welcomed. The aircraft took off from Doha at approximately 15:41 UTC and landed back at 16:32 UTC for this operation. And as with the airline’s mission for this year’s race, ‘Driven to Perfection,’ spectators who witnessed the flyby live commented on social media platforms that it was indeed perfectly executed.

Unfortunately, the flyover could only be that swift and short as the aircraft was deployed to operate as QR844 bound for Kuala Lumpur a few hours later, departing at approximately 20:06 and arriving home to Doha earlier today. At this time of writing, A7-BEL is being prepped for departure to London as QR15.

Another Formula 1 aircraft is incoming

With the Qatar Grand Prix soon ending after tonight’s finals and Max Verstappen crowned the 2023 World Champion, another Gulf carrier is gearing up for its time to shine in the Formula 1 Grand Prix timetable. Although not slated to begin until late November after the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the season-closer Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is receiving plenty of attention lately.

The brought-up attention is not just because Abu Dhabi retains the contractual right to hold the final race of the entire season but also primarily due to the hype given by the event’s title race sponsor – Etihad Airways. Like Qatar Airways, the Abu Dhabi-based flag carrier has already painted one of its flagship aircraft in a unique Formula 1 livery.

This aircraft is a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registered A6-BLV, painted in what’s known as the ‘Abu Dhabi Grand Prix’ special colors. It’s currently uncertain if A6-BLV will conduct a flyover over this year’s Grand Prix race at the Yas Marina Circuit, similar to previous years, but the possibility seems highly likely.