Welcome to the Qatar Airways News and Discussion Thread - 2023.

Please continue to post your comments below.

Link to previous years thread:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1468563

Yesterday's QR BNE-DOH returned to BNE shortly after takeoff, circled for 2 hours to dump fuel due to a technical issue

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australi ... r-AA15R6xu

It looks like Air Serbia’s rumored new Middle East partner is indeed Qatar Airways. Both carriers to codeshare extensively onto each others’ networks out of DOH and BEG. Looks like EY’s remaining stake in JU did not deter them from going ahead with the QR partnership.

https://www.exyuaviation.com/2023/01/ai ... e.html?m=1

I honestly don't know what to think about the Airbus-Qatar Airways drama. If other airlines had their own A350's repainted and put back into service, than the aircraft is safe in my opinion.

AAB is the most outspoken airline CEO I can think of. Seems strange one airline and government is doing when others aren't. I wonder why AAB didn't come to a settlement with Airbus when other airlines did to repair the A350's affected. That seems like a simple solution to this matter, but AAB seems kind of dramatic to say the least.

Ryanair's Michael O'Leary would give AAB a run for his money is the " most outspoken airline CEO " stakes.
You need to remember that the Qatari CAA are the ones who have grounded the 350's rather than AAB himself.

3D101CA wrote:

I honestly don't know what to think about the Airbus-Qatar Airways drama. If other airlines had their own A350's repainted and put back into service, than the aircraft is safe in my opinion.

AAB is the most outspoken airline CEO I can think of. Seems strange one airline and government is doing when others aren't. I wonder why AAB didn't come to a settlement with Airbus when other airlines did to repair the A350's affected. That seems like a simple solution to this matter, but AAB seems kind of dramatic to say the least.

That's your opinion. It's not fact. The pictures have been posted on here and are pretty significant. We shouldn't just assume he should accept whatever Airbus tells him, so coming to a resolution, while that would be great, isn't always possible. It's not as simple as just repainting.

Last month, Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, noted, “We no longer have any touchpoints with Etihad. We don’t even have a codeshare”. The Serbian carrier is also set to leave Etihad’s loyalty frequent flyer program. “We want to do a proper job with it, so we are taking our time. We don’t want to quickly jump into something and be unable to deliver. There are 692 airlines, so the library of knowledge and experience is big. Therefore, we can innovate and cherry-pick the best idea and once we decide to go our own way, we want to have something that can be trusted and that can be delivered to passengers”,

So...Avios? OW?

ahj2000 wrote:

Last month, Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, noted, “We no longer have any touchpoints with Etihad. We don’t even have a codeshare”. The Serbian carrier is also set to leave Etihad’s loyalty frequent flyer program. “We want to do a proper job with it, so we are taking our time. We don’t want to quickly jump into something and be unable to deliver. There are 692 airlines, so the library of knowledge and experience is big. Therefore, we can innovate and cherry-pick the best idea and once we decide to go our own way, we want to have something that can be trusted and that can be delivered to passengers”,

So...Avios? OW?

Too early to say, I think.

On loyalty, I expect they'll want to have their own program rather than go for Avios. Loyalty programs have become a significant revenue generator in their own right. I doubt they'll want to share. Although you'll probably be able to credit flights to QR and move the Avios around to BA/IB/EI/VY.

JU have a wide range of partners across alliances (incl. a very strong partnership with TK), so while QR is significant, it's not quite a game changer. But I'm expecting them to announce AA as their North American partner, and that could move the needle further towards OW. Anyway, they said themselves they're not interested in alliance membership at this point.

With Air Canadá announcing they are suspending YYZ-DOH service for commercial reasons, could QR jump in on this route? Not sure if the rights changed when AC launched the route and if there are rules for QR metal operating or not…

Source: https://www.routesonline.com/news/29/br ... oha-route/

ricardofg wrote:

With Air Canadá announcing they are suspending YYZ-DOH service for commercial reasons, could QR jump in on this route? Not sure if the rights changed when AC launched the route and if there are rules for QR metal operating or not…

Source: https://www.routesonline.com/news/29/br ... oha-route/

Maybe QR could fly DOH-YYZ in the future, it is no doubt one of the biggest gaps in their North American network.

As of right now we don't know, but I wouldn't be suprised if bilateral agreements between Canada and Qatar expanded, resulting in QR flying to YYZ.

I do wonder what load factors were on AC YYZ-DOH though.

3D101CA wrote:

ricardofg wrote:

With Air Canadá announcing they are suspending YYZ-DOH service for commercial reasons, could QR jump in on this route? Not sure if the rights changed when AC launched the route and if there are rules for QR metal operating or not…

Source: https://www.routesonline.com/news/29/br ... oha-route/

Maybe QR could fly DOH-YYZ in the future, it is no doubt one of the biggest gaps in their North American network.

As of right now we don't know, but I wouldn't be suprised if bilateral agreements between Canada and Qatar expanded, resulting in QR flying to YYZ.

I do wonder what load factors were on AC YYZ-DOH though.

As far as I am aware the current bilateral does not allow for it, which of course is a major road block to service.

3D101CA wrote:

I do wonder what load factors were on AC YYZ-DOH though.

91%, according to my quick back of the napkin calculations, based on numbers provided by the routesonline.com article.

Doesn’t mean the route was making money. Flights were full of connecting passengers to Sri Lanka, Iran and Bangladesh. Doesn’t scream high yields to me.

Qatar Airways first 737MAX8 (LN8209) out of paint, positioning PDX-MWH as BOE211



https://twitter.com/lonewolf2122/status ... 46017?s=20

What's with all of the white 777s? Did they prematurely retire them due to COVID, only to then be caught without widebody lift as the world re-opened?

I saw QR seems to have further delayed the resumption of Tokyo Haneda service to June 1.

Will Qatar Airways resume service on it's own metal to CPH/HEL/ARN that Finnair took over? I know that Qatar Airways is having an airplane shortage due to the A350 grounding. Even RwandAir took over service to KGL for Qatar Airways as well.

Any update regarding the bilateral increase between Qatar & Canada with the initial plans of QR launching YYZ & YVR?

BobRoss wrote:

What's with all of the white 777s? Did they prematurely retire them due to COVID, only to then be caught without widebody lift as the world re-opened?

I belief many are the former CX 777s QR took over. The only other white 777s I know of are the own QR aircraft in Oneworld livery.

HECA wrote:

BobRoss wrote:

What's with all of the white 777s? Did they prematurely retire them due to COVID, only to then be caught without widebody lift as the world re-opened?

I belief many are the former CX 777s QR took over. The only other white 777s I know of are the own QR aircraft in Oneworld livery.

No, A7-BBF is a LR and originally QR machine. It was in the QR livery, then painted white, and is now back in a modified QR livery.

BobRoss wrote:

HECA wrote:

BobRoss wrote:

What's with all of the white 777s? Did they prematurely retire them due to COVID, only to then be caught without widebody lift as the world re-opened?

I belief many are the former CX 777s QR took over. The only other white 777s I know of are the own QR aircraft in Oneworld livery.

No, A7-BBF is a LR and originally QR machine. It was in the QR livery, then painted white, and is now back in a modified QR livery.

HECA is correct, all the white ones are on short term leases. There are ex-CX and VA frames and one ex-QR frame that was sold to Jetran, stored for a while and then leased back to QR short term similar to the frames AI leased from Jetran.

With A350s returning, I’m curious how quickly the white 777s will disappear. The ex-Virgins are just being delivered!

Of course but I don't have any other updates, seeing if maybe a second or other person had any updates I had no idea of.

runway23 wrote:

YYZORD wrote:

Any update regarding the bilateral increase between Qatar & Canada with the initial plans of QR launching YYZ & YVR?

I thought you told us for months now that QR had unused frequencies in Canada? Shouldn't you be the one to tell us about the CA/QR bilateral changes ?

YYZORD wrote:

Of course but I don't have any other updates, seeing if maybe a second or other person had any updates I had no idea of.

runway23 wrote:

YYZORD wrote:

Any update regarding the bilateral increase between Qatar & Canada with the initial plans of QR launching YYZ & YVR?

I thought you told us for months now that QR had unused frequencies in Canada? Shouldn't you be the one to tell us about the CA/QR bilateral changes ?

Check your sources - they’ve been so accurate in the past!

Qatar Airways become 5-year official airline sponsor of Formula 1



https://www.qatarairways.com/en/press-r ... s-releases

Any news regarding the reactivation of the stored A350s in DOH and DIA?

Qatar Airways is set to announce exciting network expansion during the first day of ITB Berlin on 07MAR.

https://www.qatarairways.com/en/press-r ... s-releases

Qatar Airways NS23 Network Adjustment:
https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230303-qrns23
Among others: BER, DUB, LGW, VIE, ZRH increase to 14/7
Berlin, Cape Town, Ho Chi Minh City, Milan, Rome... will see A350-900XWB services.

Wondering what that "significant network announcement" at the ITB might be.

Buenos Aires? Mexico City? Austin? Taipei? QR doesn't have that many major white spots left.

Any chance of upgrade on the BOS route?? They have 90%+ loads, been pretty consistent

C777ER wrote:

Any chance of upgrade on the BOS route?? They have 90%+ loads, been pretty consistent

I personally would love to see a frequency increase to improve connections at both ends. I do not think QR does 10-11 weekly flights which would be perfect for BOS.

How many shorthaul business seats is QR running on their narrow bodies atm? Do they still have recliner or all some form of flat or angled lie flat?

Very curious to see what the 737 is delivered with!

adamh8297 wrote:

C777ER wrote:

Any chance of upgrade on the BOS route?? They have 90%+ loads, been pretty consistent

I personally would love to see a frequency increase to improve connections at both ends. I do not think QR does 10-11 weekly flights which would be perfect for BOS.

Looks like both LAX & IAD will be 10x weekly

Source - https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230303-qrns23

BangersAndMash wrote:

Wondering what that "significant network announcement" at the ITB might be.

Buenos Aires? Mexico City? Austin? Taipei? QR doesn't have that many major white spots left.

The resumption of BHX has been rumoured, they have slot requests for double daily flights although I’d imagine it would be x1 daily if they do come back.

AirBourne wrote:

BangersAndMash wrote:

Wondering what that "significant network announcement" at the ITB might be.

Buenos Aires? Mexico City? Austin? Taipei? QR doesn't have that many major white spots left.

The resumption of BHX has been rumoured, they have slot requests for double daily flights although I’d imagine it would be x1 daily if they do come back.

I can tell you I have some friends who would be delighted by that, saving them the trip down to Heathrow, but I wouldn't call that significant. I'd be disappointed if that was the announcement on Tuesday.

BangersAndMash wrote:

AirBourne wrote:

BangersAndMash wrote:

Wondering what that "significant network announcement" at the ITB might be.

Buenos Aires? Mexico City? Austin? Taipei? QR doesn't have that many major white spots left.

The resumption of BHX has been rumoured, they have slot requests for double daily flights although I’d imagine it would be x1 daily if they do come back.

I can tell you I have some friends who would be delighted by that, saving them the trip down to Heathrow, but I wouldn't call that significant. I'd be disappointed if that was the announcement on Tuesday.

I’d imagine if BHX were to be announced it would be with a whole bunch of other new routes and upgrades.

Add YYZ and YVR to the list.

AirBourne wrote:

BangersAndMash wrote:

AirBourne wrote:

The resumption of BHX has been rumoured, they have slot requests for double daily flights although I’d imagine it would be x1 daily if they do come back.

I can tell you I have some friends who would be delighted by that, saving them the trip down to Heathrow, but I wouldn't call that significant. I'd be disappointed if that was the announcement on Tuesday.

I’d imagine if BHX were to be announced it would be with a whole bunch of other new routes and upgrades.

So Air Serbia is pimping itself to QR, or rather the President of Serbia is pimping JU to QR.

The next piece in QR's global empire?

https://www.exyuaviation.com/2023/03/serbia-seeks-qatar-airways-ownership.html

YYZORD wrote:

Add YYZ and YVR to the list.

AirBourne wrote:

BangersAndMash wrote:

I can tell you I have some friends who would be delighted by that, saving them the trip down to Heathrow, but I wouldn't call that significant. I'd be disappointed if that was the announcement on Tuesday.

I’d imagine if BHX were to be announced it would be with a whole bunch of other new routes and upgrades.

Add SCL to that list as well. Makes perfect sense, since it was announced way back in 2017 and it`s where the LATAM headquarters is located.

New routes (unconfirmed):
- TLS, LYS, TZX, FIH, JUB, CGP, KNO

QR will resume flights to BHX in Summer 2023

AAPilot48Heavy wrote:

3D101CA wrote:

I honestly don't know what to think about the Airbus-Qatar Airways drama. If other airlines had their own A350's repainted and put back into service, than the aircraft is safe in my opinion.

AAB is the most outspoken airline CEO I can think of. Seems strange one airline and government is doing when others aren't. I wonder why AAB didn't come to a settlement with Airbus when other airlines did to repair the A350's affected. That seems like a simple solution to this matter, but AAB seems kind of dramatic to say the least.

That's your opinion. It's not fact. The pictures have been posted on here and are pretty significant. We shouldn't just assume he should accept whatever Airbus tells him, so coming to a resolution, while that would be great, isn't always possible. It's not as simple as just repainting.

Quote
Qatar Airways CEO calls Airbus legal settlement 'win-win'
https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSP6N2S4006

To summarize the network announcement

New destinations:

Chittagong, Bangladesh starting 11 March 2024
Juba, South Sudan
Kinshasa, DRC
Lyon, France starting 3 July 2023
Toulouse, France
Medan, Indonesia starting 15 January 2024
Trabzon, Turkey starting 16 June 2023

Resumptions:

Beijing, China starting 26 March 2023
Birmingham, UK starting 10 July 2023
Buenos Aires, Argentina starting 8 December 2023
Casablanca, Morocco
Marrakesh, Morocco
Davao, Philippines starting 1 April 2023
Nice, France starting 9 May 2023
Osaka, Japan starting 1 March 2024
Tokyo Haneda, Japan starting 1 June 2023
Phnom Penh, Cambodia starting 29 October 2023
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE starting 1 November 2023

Frequency boost to 35 destinations, +21% / 655 weekly flights extra in July 2023 vs July 2022.

Source: QR twitter + youtube

Pelly wrote:

To summarize the network announcement

New destinations:

Chittagong, Bangladesh starting 11 March 2024
Juba, South Sudan
Kinshasa, DRC
Lyon, France starting 3 July 2023
Toulouse, France
Medan, Indonesia starting 15 January 2024
Trabzon, Turkey starting 16 June 2023

Resumptions:

Beijing, China starting 26 March 2023
Birmingham, UK starting 10 July 2023
Buenos Aires, Argentina starting 8 December 2023
Casablanca, Morocco
Marrakesh, Morocco
Davao, Philippines starting 1 April 2023
Nice, France starting 9 May 2023
Osaka, Japan starting 1 March 2024
Tokyo Haneda, Japan starting 1 June 2023
Phnom Penh, Cambodia starting 29 October 2023
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE starting 1 November 2023

Frequency boost to 35 destinations, +21% / 655 weekly flights extra in July 2023 vs July 2022.

Source: QR twitter + youtube

Everything in detail including frequency increases on existing routes is now published online on QR website via official press release

Source: https://www.qatarairways.com/en/press-r ... -2023.html

The frequency increases on current routes (as per their above linked press release) is outlined below for easy reference purposes:

· Abuja – Port Harcourt – increased from two weekly flights to three
· Abuja – Kano – increased from three weekly flights to four
· Athens – increased from seven weekly flights to 14
· Belgrade – increased from five weekly flights to seven
· Berlin – increased from 11 weekly flights to 14
· Bucharest – increased from 10 weekly flights to 14
· Cairo – increased from 21 weekly flights to 28
· Copenhagen – increased from four weekly flights to seven, and 10 from winter season 2023/24 - Finnair also operates 7 weekly flights, totalling 17 weekly
· Denpasar – increased from 14 weekly flights to 21
· Dublin – increased from 12 weekly flights to 14
· Düsseldorf – increased from seven weekly flights to 11 for winter season 2023/24
· Edinburgh– increased from 10 weekly flights to 14

· Hanoi – increased from 10 weekly flights to 12
· Hong Kong – increased from 11 weekly flights to 14
· Khartoum – increased from seven weekly flights to 14
· Larnaca – increased from seven weekly flights to 14
· London Gatwick – increased from seven weekly flights to 10 (14 weekly flights for peak summer season)
· London Heathrow – increased from 42 weekly flights to 45
· Madrid – increased from 16 weekly flights to 18
· Manila – increased from 17 weekly flights to 18
· Milan – increased from 16 weekly flights to 21
· Mogadishu – increased from three weekly flights to four

· Nagpur – increased from four weekly flights to seven
· Oslo – increased from seven weekly flights to 12 for winter season 2023/24
· Phuket – increased from 14 weekly flights to 21 for winter season 2023/24
· Saigon – increased from 10 weekly flights to 12
· Sarajevo – increased from three weekly flights to four for summer season 2023
· Sofia – increased from three weekly flights to four weekly flights in summer and five weekly flights in winter season 2023/24
· Stockholm – increased from three weekly flights to five for winter season 2023/24 - Finnair also operates 7 weekly flights, totalling 12 weekly
· Taif – increased from three weekly flights to seven
· Vienna – increased from 10 weekly flights to 14
· Warsaw – increased from seven weekly flights to 14 from winter season 2023/24
· Yerevan – increased from seven weekly flights to 10
· Zagreb – increased from four weekly flights to seven
· Zurich – increased from 10 weekly flights to 14

Which destinations is left thar they have not resumed?
In Southern Africa now only GBE...while having launched a few others in the region that they didn't serve pre-Covid.
Thought this time they might finally change DUR to nonstop. Perhaps DOH-DUR-GBE could be an option, instead of routing both via JNB...might actually even stand a chance to get 5th freedom for DUR-GBE.

grjplanes wrote:

Which destinations is left thar they have not resumed?
In Southern Africa now only GBE...while having launched a few others in the region that they didn't serve pre-Covid.
Thought this time they might finally change DUR to nonstop. Perhaps DOH-DUR-GBE could be an option, instead of routing both via JNB...might actually even stand a chance to get 5th freedom for DUR-GBE.

CBR? But that was largely to get around AU bilateral which they now have increased I assume?

In AU - not much left, long shot but OOL to supplement BNE- not sure it has the yield. Long term DRW?

grjplanes wrote:

Which destinations is left thar they have not resumed?
In Southern Africa now only GBE...while having launched a few others in the region that they didn't serve pre-Covid.
Thought this time they might finally change DUR to nonstop. Perhaps DOH-DUR-GBE could be an option, instead of routing both via JNB...might actually even stand a chance to get 5th freedom for DUR-GBE.

They haven’t resumed CWL yet although AAB said today that they would consider it when more A350s are fixed to release the smaller 788s for routes like CWL.

https://www.businesstraveller.com/busin ... o-cardiff/

I wonder when we will see them in BLL, like 3 or 4 weekly.

surprising that DXB which was their jewel crown is not increased, they used to operate more than 10 daily in all aircraft variants they have !