Qatar Airways launched QVerse Island in Fortnite, letting players explore Doha and unlock flight rewards/Image: X

Qatar Airways has stepped into the gaming world with the launch of its first-ever digital destination inside Fortnite, unveiling QVerse Island as an immersive platform that blends virtual exploration with real-world travel inspiration. The initiative reimagines Doha inside a popular online environment, offering players a mission-driven experience designed to engage potential travellers long before they begin planning a trip.

QVerse Island recreates Qatar’s capital within Fortnite’s creative universe, allowing players to explore recreated versions of Doha’s landmarks and attractions. The experience begins at Hamad International Airport, setting the tone for a journey that mirrors the start of an actual trip.Players move through the island by completing fun, mission-based challenges that take them across recognisable locations, including themed areas such as The ORCHARD. The design encourages exploration, with hidden zones scattered across the island where players can uncover golden tickets. These tickets unlock chances to win flights and travel-related rewards, directly linking in-game discovery to tangible travel incentives.

Guiding players throughout the experience is Sama, Qatar Airways’ digital cabin crew avatar. Sama introduces destinations, leads challenges, and acts as the in-world companion across the island. Her role in Fortnite builds on her presence across the airline’s wider digital ecosystem, which includes the QVerse immersive web experience, online brand storytelling, experiential activations, and interactive platforms.Qatar Airways said Sama’s integration into Fortnite strengthens continuity across its digital identity, extending the airline’s brand into a space where global audiences already spend significant time. By placing a familiar digital figure at the centre of the experience, the airline aims to create a consistent and recognisable connection between virtual engagement and its real-world services.

The airline said travel inspiration is increasingly shaped through digital platforms, including social media and immersive gaming environments. By launching QVerse Island, Qatar Airways is positioning itself within these ecosystems to engage travellers well before they actively search for their next destination.By bringing Doha into Fortnite, the airline aims to bridge virtual exploration with physical travel. The strategy is designed to turn digital curiosity into real journeys, using interactive gameplay, rewards, and brand experiences to influence travel intent at an early stage.

The launch of QVerse Island also aligns with Qatar Airways’ broader investment in next-generation digital services. A key pillar of this strategy is the rollout of Starlink connectivity across its fleet. Qatar Airways currently operates more than 120 Starlink-enabled aircraft, making it the world’s largest widebody fleet equipped with ultra-high-speed in-flight internet.According to the airline, passengers on Starlink-powered flights can access Wi-Fi speeds of up to 500 Mbps on routes spanning six continents, including the Americas, Australia, and major destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.