In the midst of an ongoing feud with U.S. rivals, Qatar Airways launched its maiden voyage to Atlanta, Georgia, the hub of U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines .
While the non-stop haul has been hailed with fanfare in the weeks leading up to the first trip, including a promotional concert in Atlanta by American celebrity Jennifer Lopez, the flight's arrival was met with a rather cold welcome. No gate was available for the passengers to disembark.
Instead of unloading directly to an airport gate, the aircraft was forced to unload passengers using mobile staircases and buses to transport them to the terminal. Although such an arrival is routine at many airports throughout the world, it's not often the case in Atlanta.
There are multiple issues at play however. Qatar Airways decided to make its inaugural flight with its super-jumbo Airbus A380. Atlanta's airport only has a select number of gates that can accommodate such an aircraft. And who happens to be using those gates? Delta Air Lines, of course.
Prior to the flight's arrival the airport's spokesperson said: "We’re doing everything we can to accommodate the aircraft they’re bringing in for their inaugural flight."
The airport even asked Delta Air Lines if it could help accommodate its Gulf rival's massive jet. While the U.S. carrier maintained a more professional tone than it has in past skirmishes with its competitor, it made it clear it wasn't going to move its planes.
"Despite limited time to solve for the request, Delta offered solutions to allow Qatar to use the gates while ensuring our own schedule remained accommodated during a heavy traffic period at the international terminal," a spokesperson for the U.S. carrier said, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution .
Shockingly, Delta Air Lines was unable to find a viable option to accommodate its rival. A snub? Perhaps, but it definitely wasn't a friendly welcome.
Considering the attacks that Delta Air Lines has made leading up to Qatar Airways' official arrival in its hometown, including accusations of violating "basic human rights," nobody can be too surprised that a gate wasn't made available.
Moving forward, Qatar Airways will fly an average sized Boeing 777 aircraft between Doha and Atlanta, making finding a gate significantly less complicated.
The escalating feud between Gulf carriers – Etihad Airways, Emirates Airline and Qatar Airways – and U.S. competitors – American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines – centers around an alleged $42 billion in subsidies that the Gulf airlines have received from their respective governments.
However, Etihad Airways responded last year, pointing out that the U.S. airlines have received more than $70 billion in subsidies from their government as well. However, Etihad Airways was quick to point out that it wasn’t saying this out of criticism, but just to point out the hypocrisy.