Qatar Airways reached yet another milestone when it became the most ‘liked’ global airline on Facebook, the world’s most popular social media networking site. The airline overtook its nearest competitor and claimed first position last week while reaching eight million fans on its global page.

Only six months ago the airline had four million fans, before quickly working its way up to the most liked airline on Facebook. Qatar Airways, which was awarded Best Use of Emerging Platforms at the 5th Annual SimpliFlying Awards held in New York two months ago, has managed to increase its Facebook fan base by approximately 2,560% in just two years.

The steady climb to most liked global airline has been a result of the airline’s ever-increasing online engagement with its fans, including region specific promotions and its global partnership with FC Barcelona. In addition to winning fans with its new route launches, the airline has also been closely followed as it launched its A380 to London, Paris and Bangkok, and as it awaits the imminent arrival of the A350 XWB for which it is the global launch customer.
Popular online competitions including Safarigram, FCB Join the Club and targeting fans in their own language have also helped increase fan growth and interaction.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “Qatar Airways has long recognised the importance of digital media in our day-to-day business. Using new and creative ways to engage with our fans, while increasing the level of engagement, helps us stay at the forefront of customer service while keeping in touch with our passengers’ needs and constantly adapting to them. And our quick rise to most liked airline on Facebook reaffirms that our passengers support this.”

Qatar Airways Senior Vice President Marketing and Corporate Communications Ms. Salam Al Shawa, said: “We are extremely proud of this achievement and the fact that we have grown from 49th to 1st place in less than 18 months. During this time we have attracted more than 8,000,000 fans by adapting to the ever-growing significance of social media versus traditional media, and by keeping a sharp focus on creating quality content while actively engaging with our followers.”
Including Pinterest, where it is also ranked the number one airline, Instagram (ranked second) and Linkedin (ranked fifth), Qatar Airways uses 13 social media outlets to assist, inform, and engage with its passengers.