Diana Ross Performs to Packed House at Star-Studded Qatar Airways Launch Party in New York

Qatar Airways rounded off its New York launch celebrations on Thursday night last week, with a star-studded gala dinner in the country’s financial capital.

Celebrities from across the New York social, business and entertainment scene joined Qatar Airways at the launch party, held in The Allen Room – a spectacular venue at the city’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, just off Broadway.

Business tycoon Donald Trump, Hollywood stars Andie MacDowell and Julianne Moore, and the US Ambassador to the State of Qatar, His Excellency Chase Untermeyer were among the guests at the lavish red carpet event.

The event attracted a host of celebrities from stage, screen and music – Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Chloe Sevigny, Gayle King, Olivia Chantecaille, CeCe Cord, Tara Subkoff, Stephen and Christine Schwarzman, Allen & Deborah Grubman, Nina Griscom, Dennis Basso, Marjorie Gubelmann, Sloan Lindemann Barnett, Eric Villency and Kimberly Guilfoyle, Anne Dexter Jones, Nina Griscom, Mary McFadden, Rufus Albermarle, Thom Browne.

New York’s paparazzi were out in force as guests arrived for a night of entertainment with the sensational Ms Diana Ross performing many of the hit songs from her illustrious career.

Master of ceremonies for the event was actress Andie MacDowell. She introduced the stellar line-up for the evening, including CNN International TV presenter and host of “CNN Business Traveller,” Richard Quest, together with host of the night, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Office Akbar Al Baker, who spoke of his pride in finally bringing Qatar Airways and its Five Star service to New York.

The evening ended with a standing ovation for Ms Ross’ performance. The event was organised by New York-based celebrity style guru and party planner Colin Cowie. A connoisseur of style, Cowie’s impressive client list includes Oprah Winfrey, Jerry Seinfeld, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Michael Jordan and Hugh Hefner.

Al Baker spoke of the airline’s proud moment as it flew into Newark from Doha on Tuesday night, marking the airline’s first flights to the United States. 

“This week Qatar Airways made history when we touched down in the United States for the first time,” he said, adding, “Qatar Airways looks forward to growing our international network further in the US as we explore other route opportunities here in the world’s largest aviation market. I promise we are here to stay and will further make our mark in the US with our new Washington services next month and more destinations in the pipeline.”

Al Baker added that Qatar Airways’ proposed codeshare partnership with United Airlines would give the traveling public greater choice with more destinations to fly to across the United States.

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