Qatar Airways celebrated the successful launch of daily, non-stop service to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) last week with a star-studded gala event at the world-famous Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The airline rang in the New Year by landing its first flight at LAX on 1 January, with the official celebration taking place on 12 January.

The airline hosted many of Los Angeles’ prominent luminaries and celebrity guests including Paula Abdul, Jamie King, Nicole Scherzinger, Christina Milian, Brooke Burns, Mario Lopez, Terrell Owens and the cast of Bravo TV’s ‘Shahs of Sunset’ including GG Gharachedaghi and Asa Soltan Rahmati. The star-studded evening featured a stunning performance by Grammy Award-winning legend and global superstar Mariah Carey.

The audience of movie industry insiders, celebrities, philanthropists and travel and hospitality VIPs were treated to an Arabic-inspired opening number featuring aerialists and dancers as well as a short film on Qatar and the evolution of Qatar Airways. The guests were then invited on to the stage that has hosted the Academy Awards since 2002, to enjoy a dinner specially designed by Wolfgang Puck.

To cap off the evening, the guests then enjoyed a show-stopping performance by the global superstar Mariah Carey, who delighted the audience with her classic, signature style.