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Qatar Airways has confirmed a March 1 2016 launch of its new Sydney-Doha route a week after the Australian and Qatari governments approved an increase in available capacity between the two countries.
The new daily service will be operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and is scheduled as an evening departure from Doha, arriving in Sydney at 1805 local time. The reciprocal takes off from Sydney at 2220.
The airline said on Wednesday the evening departure in both directions offered excellent connections across its network.
“The expansion of our Australia services will undoubtedly boost and strengthen the trade and commercial links that exist between Qatar and Australia, setting the stage for even more robust partnership opportunities in the near future,” Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said in a statement.
“We look forward to carrying more travellers to and from Australia across our extensive global network and providing them with another world-class experience both on board and on the ground at the state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport in Doha.”
Qatar Airways had utilised all available capacity for Qatari flag carriers with its daily services to both Melbourne and Perth under the previous air services agreement.
However, the Australian government announced on September 24 the bilateral has been expanded from 14 frequencies a week to 21 frequencies a week, effective immediately, paving the way for Qatar to add Sydney to its network.
Sydney Airport chief executive Kerrie Mather said the new daily flights from Qatar would boost inbound tourism and support the state and national economy.
“Qatar Airways’ service will also provide greater air cargo access to the Middle East and the growing Qatar market, which is great for NSW exports,” Mather said in a statement.
Qatar Airways Sydney schedule (Flights start March 1 2016)
QR908 depart Doha 2010, arrive Sydney 1805 (next day)
QR909 depart Sydney 2220, arrive Doha 0505 (next day)
Source: Qatar Airways (all times local)
Dave
says:Does anyone know why Oneworld doesn’t let you choose Qatar airlines as part of their round the world fares from Australia? The explorer fares still force Aussies to travel through 4 continents, even though the Middle East is part of the Euro continent in the fare structure. However, Qatar airways is never a choice available
From Perth you can’t fly to Europe with QF so it forces you onto Cathay, or Qantas via Syd/Mel. And if you choose the QF option it only lets you fly to/from Syd/Mel once, so again you have to go through Asia.
Oneworld RTW t&c’s say “Three-continent fares are not available when departing from the Southern Hemisphere and Africa due to network connection limitations.” However, they are if you go via Dubai/Qatar then Europe or North or South America.
It seems to me that oneworld want to force Australians to travel through four continents, even now three continent RTW journeys are available via Dubai or Qatar. Or have they just not updated their connectivity yet?
Graeme
says:Dave
Not sure about the One World restrictions you are talking about but you can fly out of Perth to Europe booking through QANTAS. But you fly on an Emirates flight with a QF flight number to Dubai. In Dubai you can either change to a QANTAS flight or continue on an Emirates flight but still with a QF flight number. We looked at this on a recent holiday to Europe, going to London first (not sure about other destinations) but ended up flying with Qatar as they were cheaper. We didn’t get any QANTAS Frequent Flyer points even though Qatar is a One World partner because for some reason our flights were a discount code that didn’t attract points.
James Dowell
says:You’re both right, but approaching this from different perspectives. I too have noticed that around-the-world flights can’t be booked with the initial flight on Qatar. Yes, it is possible to book Qantas Perth-Europe on a Qantas codeshare with Emirates. However, code shares with non-OneWorld airlines isn’t permitted on the OneWorld around-the-world fares. Going via Melbourne/Sydney on the on to Europe causes a “prohibit” on the return, as the RTW rules don’t allow you to cross Australia twice. I’ve booked several of these (RTW’s) and ended having to get a one-way ticket to Kalgoorlie, then start the RTW flight from Kal on Qantas (to the entire ticket is via Qantas) then on Qatar to the Middle East and Europe.
I don’t haven an issue with having to pay for a 4th continent (Asia) on these flights. I suppose flying over India counts as Asia, even if we don’t stop there.