QATAR. “I don’t think any airport in the world will ever be able to match what we have done here.”
The words of Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer His Excellency Akbar Al Baker in conversation with The Moodie Davitt Report summed up both the ambition and the dazzling execution of the Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno inaugurated tonight in partnership with Qatar Duty Free at Hamad International Airport.
Yannick Alléno, who was on hand to grace the inauguration, is one of the world’s most renowned chefs. In 2008 he founded a group in his name to unite a team of talented chefs around his vision. The multiple Michelin Star Chef offers what he calls a ‘quaternary’ approach – acting as an accelerator of talent, challenging gastronomy and codes of service to give customers the opportunity to experience an extraordinary dish and savour an indelible impression.
The Grand Opening was attended by some 100 guests, including the leadership teams from Louis Vuitton, Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways and Qatar Duty Free, plus media and influencers. They were served a range of mocktails and canapés, including special surprises such as caviar wrapped in chocolate.
The Lounge is located on the second level of the magnificent Louis Vuitton duplex opened last October, adjacent to the magnificence of The Orchard indoor garden. The elegant, expansive space is open to Qatar Airways Gold and Platinum Privilege Club members and Louis Vuitton VIPs.
Qatar Duty Free Senior Vice President Thabet Musleh told The Moodie Davitt Report, “This is extra special. I think to bring the number one luxury brand in the world to do something like this speaks volumes about how we operate as a partner.
“To have a 16-star Michelin chef like Yannick Alléno and the world’s number one luxury brand like Louis Vuitton to trust you and to do something of this magnitude just speaks volumes of the team here and what they do and how they operate.”
Describing his emotions at the opening, Musleh said, “It’s a great feeling of pride. It’s a great feeling of success, enjoyment, partnership – so many words that I can’t describe how I’m feeling today and how magical it is.”
Yannick Alléno told The Moodie Davitt Report: “We are in a special place here. And when you are in the airport, I think you need something else than just a simple café or bistro. You have to be sure that wherever you come from in the world, you have what you need. And, you know, Qatar has become the hub of the world.”
Alléno emphasised the quality of both the environment and the offer. “We have good food, sustainable food, so we work with local fish and we have some very nice products. And the touch of Arabic food is very important for me because I know it well. I worked for the King of Morocco for 15 years.”
“It’s a 24-hour service here, we never stop – 7/7. That’s a big challenge. So we did a process with the Qatar [Duty Free] team. They are fantastic. They know precisely how to do the things. I’m very impressed.”
Akbar Al Baker and Thabet Musleh always want “to have the best of the best”, he added. “So I’m very happy to be in the middle of that and create something different, especially in Qatar for the first time at this airport which is just amazing.”
Asked what the opening meant for him during a joint interview conducted by The Moodie Davitt Report and Duty-Free News International, Al Baker responded, “Every night, when I walk through my airport, it gives me a great feeling of pride for my country.”
That pride was demonstrable tonight amid an opening that has surely raised the airport hospitality bar to a level previously unforseeable.
The Moodie Davitt Report will bring you the full story tomorrow. Here are some preliminary pictorial highlights. 
Photo Gallery: The Louis Vuitton boutique
The Qatar Duty Free luxury offer at The Orchard and within Hamad International Airport’s Expansion 
Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining. Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com to subscribe.
The company also hosts The Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards, which will take place on 12-13 September in Bangkok, Thailand after a four-year COVID-driven absence. Notably, FAB’s remit has been extended this year to feature wider airport hospitality services, including hotels and lounges.
For all partnership, speaker, content and other enquiries please contact Jeannie Wong, The Moodie Davitt Report Asia Bureau Chief and Head of Marketing & Events at Jeannie@MoodieDavittReport.com
