Well here’s an announcement that I didn’t see coming…
In this post:
Hamad Ali Al‑Khater appointed Qatar Airways CEO
Hamad Ali Al‑Khater has been appointed Qatar Airways CEO as of today (December 7, 2025), succeeding Badr Mohammed Al-Meer. Keep in mind that Al-Meer was only appointed CEO of Qatar Airways in late 2023, replacing longtime CEO Akbar Al Baker, who had been leading the airline for 27 years.
Al-Khater joins Qatar Airways from Hamad International Airport, where he served as Chief Operating Officer, responsible for ensuring the safety and reliability of airport operations, while leading the airport’s strategic direction, operational excellence, infrastructure expansion, and the improvement of passenger experience. Interestingly, the outgoing CEO was also Chief Operating Officer of the airport before being appointed CEO of the airline.
Prior to his tenure at Hamad International Airport, Al-Khater held senior roles across QatarEnergy, driving business development, deal execution, and leading large-scale strategic and operational initiatives.
Here’s how Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar Airways’ Chairman, describes this development:
“Qatar Airways Group extends its appreciation to Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer for his service. As we welcome Mr. Hamad Ali Al-Khater, we look forward to building on the strong foundations and expansive global network of Qatar Airways, anchored by our exceptional team in Qatar and around the world. With this leadership transition, Qatar Airways Group reaffirms its commitment to delivering world-class experiences, reliability, and innovation to travellers around the globe.”
I wonder what caused this abrupt leadership change
I’ve gotta say, I’m absolutely surprised to see Al-Meer leaving the airline so quickly, since I think he has done a phenomenal job, and positively changed the culture at the airline for the better. By all accounts, he’s a genuinely nice guy who employees loved, because he treated them with respect. Strategically, I also think he did a good job continuing to move the airline in the right direction.
It seems clear that he isn’t leaving the airline on great terms, based on the fact that the new CEO is taking over effective immediately, without any sort of a transition period. On top of that, the press release doesn’t even have a quote from Al-Meer about his departure from the airline.
The airline is owned by the government, so obviously there’s some stuff happening behind the scenes. Did Al-Meer somehow not see eye-to-eye with some people in the government? Or is his replacement just closer to the royal family, and they wanted to give the job to a closer person, and just viewed Al-Meer as a transitionary figure?
I didn’t know anything about Al‑Khater prior to today, so I wish him all the best in his new role, and I hope he continues with Al-Meer’s approach of treating employees with respect, and valuing them. And I wish Al-Meer the best in whatever his next ventures are.
Bottom line
Qatar Airways has appointed Hamad Ali Al‑Khater as its new CEO, replacing Badr Mohammed Al-Meer. Al-Meer just joined the airline a couple of years ago, after the previous CEO had been at the company for 25+ years. I’m not sure what exactly happened here, but I commend Al-Meer for helping to positively shape the culture at the airline, and wish Al‑Khater the best in his new role.
What do you make of this Qatar Airways management shakeup?
Guy is a shyster anyways.
Good development. Since Al Baker left service has declined. My wife and I had a flight from Doha to Berlin in C last year, and after my wife (carelessly in hindsight, but who would suspect what was coming) didn‘t set up meal orders right away, her FA ignored her completely during the flight and my wife did not receive a single piece of food. My wife was so upset by that, that it was hard...
Good development. Since Al Baker left service has declined. My wife and I had a flight from Doha to Berlin in C last year, and after my wife (carelessly in hindsight, but who would suspect what was coming) didn‘t set up meal orders right away, her FA ignored her completely during the flight and my wife did not receive a single piece of food. My wife was so upset by that, that it was hard to convince her to fly them again.
On our next flight (with Avios) i have reserved seats in the same aisle to make sure that my wife does not end up without food again. I also plan to have a conversation with the purser to explain the last incident and to express my hope that they will take good care of my wife.
Under Al Baker stuff like that would never have happened.
Akbar Al Baker fingerprints all over this.
Fake Eskimo fingerprints all over this.
How do you decide who is fake and who is real? At the end of the day it's just two internet trolls using the same username. To them you are the fake one.
When will we stop pretending these Mideast crime families are "governments" that have any interest in running a "business," like an airline, for a profit?
Sorry Ben, but I think this is for the better. I'm a frequent user of QR and I think their soft product has gone very downhill since Al-Baker left. I know you only fly business or first, but QR has seriously declined in Economy - from cutting meal services, options, and from downright indifferent flight attendants who just don't do their jobs as they should.
Even in Business, service these days has definitely gone downhill...
Sorry Ben, but I think this is for the better. I'm a frequent user of QR and I think their soft product has gone very downhill since Al-Baker left. I know you only fly business or first, but QR has seriously declined in Economy - from cutting meal services, options, and from downright indifferent flight attendants who just don't do their jobs as they should.
Even in Business, service these days has definitely gone downhill over the last five years. There has to be a balance between Al-Baker's discipline and vision and Meer's employee-first strategy.
Oh, not to mention, that shocking 236-seat sardine can A321neo that QR, a supposedly "premium carrier", insists on using. One that I am unfortunately needing to use soon!
I'm not entirely surprised based on flights we've had in the past couple of years - though I admit those are a drop in the bucket.
We have had some of the worst service on board (inconsistent and rude), we had long haul where the food was inedible (not even heated properly). This wasnt the airline we had come to love. It was "just another airline" once on board.
I applaud the better treating of employees but maybe they lost some discipline along with that?
It's honestly pretty alarming to see one person post so much. They have posted over a quarter of the comments here, some with long-winded diatribes.
It's a recurring pattern across most articles too, nonstop replying to other people with shitposts, trolling, and generally useless fluff.
Thanks AeroB13a for your valuable opinion.
The self-own is real lmao
No stranger would care about this very specific call-out, so you must be their alt as well.
This is a fake Julia
That is a fake Eskimo
Probably due to the poor and declining QR product, I've had a handful of mediocre flights with them this year, constantly running out of food options in business class. Average to rude service, like ignoring the do not disturb button. Someone needs to run a tighter ship.
Al Safwa lounge is honestly a disaster with all the amenities being occupied for hours upon hours.
Concur on QR Business soft product getting worse and food options running out on every leg of our flight. Even got Qatar’ed less than 2 hours before departure, but nonetheless we needed to travel for work and can’t hang around for the next flight just for a QSuite. But it’s just bad… all that expectation sent crashing down in the last 2 years or so. Discipline needs to be restored before the pride of being part of a well-run aifline can set in.
It's cost cutting to a maximum, while also trying to push their supposed 5-star standards.
They offer dine on demand with tons of options, but they want to save on costs by supplying the minimum number of meals and food items. For example, not a single dessert option was available within 1 hour of takeoff.
The FAs have to do so much work, while working on a relatively low staffing ratio to save on labor...
It's cost cutting to a maximum, while also trying to push their supposed 5-star standards.
They offer dine on demand with tons of options, but they want to save on costs by supplying the minimum number of meals and food items. For example, not a single dessert option was available within 1 hour of takeoff.
The FAs have to do so much work, while working on a relatively low staffing ratio to save on labor costs, the additional steps like plating, arranging tablecloths/trays, etc. Definitely feels premium, but adds overhead, QR needs to add one or two additional FAs for these longhaul flights to reduce fatigue and improve speed.
The same goes for lounges, yet they are amazing and gorgeous, but due to the huge DOH banks of connecting flights, the amenities get absolutely flooded with passengers. Even the business only Al Mourjan turns aways business class passengers for capacity reasons and has them go to the Garden. In Al Safwa, every single quiet room/bedroom was occupied, dining room was at 95% capacity (leaving all the servers scrambling and not able to offer good service), bathrooms are constantly occupied and there's even a wait.
The only solution is to invest and do more. Supply 50% more meals/options on the flights. Staff more FAs in the front. Build more lounge capacity/amenities.
I have no idea what the cause of this was. My hunch is that there are some political, in the loose sense of the word, issues at stake.
The fact that employees have been treated better in the last couple of years is an unalloyed good for everyone, and I hope that continues under the new CEO. That said, the cost cuts on the passenger experience over the last 18 months are real, and have...
I have no idea what the cause of this was. My hunch is that there are some political, in the loose sense of the word, issues at stake.
The fact that employees have been treated better in the last couple of years is an unalloyed good for everyone, and I hope that continues under the new CEO. That said, the cost cuts on the passenger experience over the last 18 months are real, and have been quite noticeable especially in terms of lounges and onboard catering. Hopefully those will be reversed.
He sent the wrong 747...
Bring back Al Baker
Drunk dutchies can't fly
I hope this doesn't lead to a 180 on first class yet again
What First class? Like regional ME flights? Or actual a380, Cathay-inherited 773, ‘First,’ because most of their aircraft are 2-class, Business and Economy.
@1990 I guess he means the latter.
I mean a380 F, and F on the CX inherited 777 with actual F
@1990
QR plans to introduce first class on a "high number of their B777-9".
The now ex CEO said the seat was about 80% complete.
Abrupt changes within governments, businesses, families, etc. happen. The lack of a transition period or any notice suggests a falling-out between the leaders. Probably something really petty, one assumes.
As a passenger, regardless of the country's underlying issues (*cough* Hamas *cough* mistreating migrant workers *cough*), it's still a well-run airline; I've shared my gripes with other airlines from countries with similar issues, too (see, Turkish, authoritarian Erdogan, etc., good food, though, and the new IST...
Abrupt changes within governments, businesses, families, etc. happen. The lack of a transition period or any notice suggests a falling-out between the leaders. Probably something really petty, one assumes.
As a passenger, regardless of the country's underlying issues (*cough* Hamas *cough* mistreating migrant workers *cough*), it's still a well-run airline; I've shared my gripes with other airlines from countries with similar issues, too (see, Turkish, authoritarian Erdogan, etc., good food, though, and the new IST airport is nice, eh.)
All that said, Q-suite is objectively awesome as a business class product (other than JAL a35K, ANA The Room, I think it's still the best); DOH, especially with the new expansion, is an objectively incredible airport (better than DXB and SIN, in my opinion).
Oh, and please do call me a hypocrite. I can take it.
Also, I know that any airline can burn you, so, I guess I'm just luck so far with QR. They really did me a solid during the pandemic when practically no other airline was flying. Anyhoo...
You, hypocrite, you! :)
Oh no! I’m melting!! Ahh… whataworld whataworld… oneworld.. oneworld…
Qatar is way cleaner than the US (cough israel).
DXB is better except for the amazing QR lounges designed by Milan-based ACPV.
Qatar is way cleaner than the US (cough israel).
DXB is better except for the amazing QR lounges designed by Milan-based ACPV.
Why are you supporting an airline from a country that's the world's largest state sponsor of terror, and is both anti-Jewish and anti-gay?
@ Jessica -- I am reporting on a management change at a major airline, as I would do for any airline of this size. And I am praising an individual for the humanity he showed toward employees.
But you constantly promote and hype up this airline, as you do with Emirates and Etihad as well for that matter.
@ Jessica -- Okay, two can play this game. You recently wrote in a comment about how you like Turkish Airlines (while criticizing a take of mine, of course). Does that mean you support all the policies of the Turkish government? If not, how can you "support" the airline?
See, this is kind of silly, no?
Ben, QR, EK, and EY are objectively better than TK. Full stop.
I didn’t realize Jessica was in-the-bag for Erdogan. How sad. Now, I pity her. Oof.
They are anti-zionism, not anti-Jewish.
Good distinction, Aaron. Bad faith actors conflate the two all the time. Plenty of Jewish people and Israelis who are no fan of Netanyahu’s administration, just as ample Americans do not support Trump or his policies. Those who ignore that nuance know better (or should know better.)
@Aaron, while being against zionism (and any other forms of nationalism) is good, I’d say they’re anti-Jewish.
Hamas, which is funded by Qatar, wants to establish an Islamic state in Palestine, which by definition is anti-Jewish (and anti-all other religions ofc). This also means they’re just as nationalist as the most extreme Zionists.
Also, Hamas doesn’t recognize Israel and the country doesn’t appear on QR’s in-flight map (yes, I know Israel isn’t a...
@Aaron, while being against zionism (and any other forms of nationalism) is good, I’d say they’re anti-Jewish.
Hamas, which is funded by Qatar, wants to establish an Islamic state in Palestine, which by definition is anti-Jewish (and anti-all other religions ofc). This also means they’re just as nationalist as the most extreme Zionists.
Also, Hamas doesn’t recognize Israel and the country doesn’t appear on QR’s in-flight map (yes, I know Israel isn’t a theocracy or confessional state and doesn’t have a state religion, but it is of course one of the only Jewish-majority country & some laws have influence from Judaism).
@JetBlueFanBoy “one of the only Jewish states” - which “other” jewish state is there?
It's a major airline and a sovereign country can be as anti-gay as they want. Anyone in their right mind would be anti jew.
Qatar isn't sponsoring terrorism. The USA is the world's largest sponsor of terrorism, along with Israel. Liar.
“Anyone in their right mind would be antijew” - just wow
Fake Jessica, stop with this offensive nonsense. If you don't like the article, don't read it.
Qatar has declined materially in the last year or two. Its ground service is abysmal. And it has made some very low cost carrier decision. Partnering with any airline at any cost (wh Indigo, Air Algeria, Virgin Australia) and operating 236-seat 321neo. Maybe a reset is required.
BZ, QR's strength is long-haul, wide-body, Q-suite business class.
Yeah, short-haul, narrow-body with them or their partners is a mixed bag. Had booked QR once for DOH-KGL expecting 787 lie-flat; got Rwandair 737 recliner and food poisoning instead... not the same. (Ok, see, now that I think of it, QR sorta burned me once. Bah!)
Perhaps he just didn't like the job?
Just because there was no notice period, doesn't mean that the CEO didn't notify the airline that he wanted to quit.
@ PlanetAvgeek -- He's a Qatari national, so it's hard to imagine he would want to give up one of the country's most powerful and global jobs voluntarily, especially since he worked in aviation before. It's of course not totally impossible, but it seems highly unlikely to me.
Oh, Ben, lets not be naive; he was forced out, for sure. No notice, no transition. Bah. No one leaves that cushy job on a whim.
Most likely health or family issues which are never disclosed in Qatar.
Perhaps this new CEO will unban Josh Cahill… I’m just hoping this new CEO won’t be greedy and only care about publicity which is what Qatar Airways has been doing for a long time (especially after they banned Josh Cahill)
LOL, the world doesn’t revolve around ‘influencers’… hardly anyone actually cares about Josh or his ‘plight’ with QR or any other airline he picked a fight with.
Well, I think he has been unbanned. I saw him post instagram stories of the QSuites a few days ago.
Maybe the new CEO has been installed to “re-ban him” :p
Austen,
Do you honestly believe the world revolves around a YouTuber? You think the CEO of one of the largest and most complex airline operations in the world sits around and thinks about this kind of stuff?
It isn’t related to health or family matters. From what I gathered… Al-Meer was dismissed from his job this morning, he didn’t even know it was coming. Sad to see a decent person leave after all the positive things he did for the company and specially after treating his employees like humans, instead of slaves. Let’s hope for the best.
"he didn’t even know it was coming"
Like Tommy in Goodfellas...
Sheik Hamad Al-Thani the first CEO was replaced in an overnight Coup by Al-Baker in Nov 1996. He as we know resigned and had an almost immediate replacement in Al-Meer and now he is replaced by Al -Khater. Nothing to see here.
Wonder how much AG Bondi still gets from Qatar. Like, was it a few mill, or a lot more? Or did she just do it for the ‘love of the game,’ and a few roundtrip tickets to Istanbul.. sorry, I meant, Doha. Hey, totally unrelated, but how’s Mayor Adams doing these days anyway? Did he get pardoned yet? jUsT aSkInG qUeStIoNs *burp*
What the hell does Bondi have to do with this????? You're delusional.
I’m Platinum / emerald with Qatar for 4 years in row (and gold for 8 years before tan ). I’m having around 40-60 flights a year with QR a year.
My experience as a FF with Qatar is that it has
Gotten much worse over the last 2/3 years, “ especially the ground service has declined to an awfull state
Nobody believes you.
It seems that BZ believes Chris because BZ made a similar comment about the ground service (see above).
Lee, yeah, some folks here just astroturf with multiple aliases; like, have some self-respect and stick to the same monikers y’all… then, by all means, brigade away.
Or perhaps BZ and chris are the same person.
Or perhaps BZ, Chris and you are the same person.
I bereave in yew, Dave
@ Chris L
I flew QR in April from IAD to the Maldives. I had absolutely no issues with the ground service. Onboard: crew were excellent. Food was very good. The garden lounge was very good.
My only complaint was the rear facing Q-Suites. Perhaps he wanted to rip them out... One can only hope...
Justindev, epic, how was MLE’s new terminal? I have a trip in the new year and have been eager to see it. The old one was super dated. Overdue!
@1990:
I flew in and out of the old, hot, uncomfortable terminal as the new one wasn't in operation as yet. Even with the separate queue for first and business class pax, it was still a miserable experience. The new terminal looked good though from the little I saw of it.
Corruption to the highest degree!
Could be. Corruption is a cancer, anywhere and everywhere. Qatar, Russia, even the US. Wish we'd actually do something about that, instead of just propping up tyrants and tax cuts for billionaires.
I'm not in a position to rule out the possibility of the outgoing CEO having left on bad terms, but the lack of a transition period may also be the result of health or family issues.
Some of us believe that there are things in life that are more important than work!
If true, that's fair; but, it doesn't seem like it, because if it were a health-related issue, then there could've been adequate notice or a transition period; this smells of pettiness. If we wanna speculate, let's say it was... blackmail! Ooh!
In that part of the world, family issues includes other people having an issue with one's family.
E.g. a child eloped and father does not completely cut them off (see La Traviata Act 2)