By Will Lee
Qatar Airways has been flying high since expanding its network around the world, especially since the FIFA World Cup last December, announcing expansions of services in the U.S., and deepen its cooperations with the American carriers.
Qatar Airways has now announced that it will increase its services on Oct.30 by increasing flight frequencies to New York to three times a day. The carrier is currently operating two times a day to New York and a number of other American cities, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, and Dallas-Fort Worth.
JetBlue passengers are believed to benefit from the new flight services with a seamless connection. Members of both airlines can earn miles from each other’s expansive codeshare flights. The codeshare agreement between Qatar and JetBlue launched in 2011.
In the meantime, American Airlines will launch flight operations from Philadelphia to Doha on Oct. 28. The Qatari carrier’s strategic partnership with American Airlines also continues to expand. Passengers on Qatar and American Airlines can travel to Doha and onward to over 160 destinations worldwide.
A Qatar Airways Airbus A380.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Also, Qatar Airways and Alaska Airlines will provide a significant codeshare expansion to improve West Coast connectivity in coming weeks.
“We continue to offer seamless connectivity to our passengers from the U.S. market and beyond with the support of our strategic partners. Our unwavering commitment to our longstanding U.S, partners, American Airlines, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines is built on our mission to connect the world through our hub to 160 destinations and more,” Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive of Qatar Airways, said.
Attempt To Increase Flight Frequencies to Australia
However, the airline has been facing a setback in Australia. By popular demand, Qatar had a plan to expand service to Australia by adding additional 21 weekly flights, with one more daily flight to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Qatar has fallen short of ramping up flights to Australia after being opposed by Qantas. Qatar believed that additional competition in Australia could lower skyrocketing air fares.
Qantas said that the Middle Eastern carrier already has an option to increase its capacity by changing to a larger aircraft.
“This would immediately increase the number of seats by 27%,” A Qantas spokesperson said.
The Australian government’s decision left Virgin Australia frustrated. Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia, the main rival of Qantas, signed a codeshare agreement last year.
“We are deeply disappointed that our partner Qatar Airways is unable to expand its services to Australia,” Jayne Hrdlicka, Chief Executive of Virgin Australia, said.
But the Qatari airline hasn’t stopped resuming its services. The carrier will resume the flight services between Doha and Auckland, New Zealand and Cardiff, U.K. in September and by the end of the year respectively. Cardiff Airport, the struggling airport in Wales, is desperate to expand its international route map after the pandemic. Qatar suspended the route since the pandemic has begun.
