QR to service PER from 2012

[thewinchester]

Well, Qatar's Al Baker has been running up a media storm in the last 24hrs at the Dubai Air Show. In-between postponing signing of a USD 5 billion order with Airbus (and saying on the record they don't know how to make planes), he's managed to talk about the routes the airline will be starting next year:

Perth flights on Qatar Airways radar
GEOFFREY THOMAS, The West Australian
November 16, 2011, 5:48 am

Qatar Airways, one of the world's fastest growing airlines, will launch services to Perth from Doha within two months.

Chief executive Akbar Al Baker said that Perth was one of 12 cities the airline would service next year.

"Yes we are coming to Perth," Mr Al Baker said.

"We will give you details shortly and will start within a couple of months."

By the end of next year Qatar, which was named Airline of the Year for 2011 by Skytrax, will serve 119 destinations with a fleet of 120 planes.

 

[casanovawa]

Great news! Flew this airline in 2010 and was reasonably impressed even in whY....

Would have used them again but has meant either flying to Sydney or, as i did in 2010, flight up to Malaysia and to Europe from there... Sucks the meager offerings of airlines we have out of Perth...

Would definitely think about using them again now, specially with their cheap airfares and more direct route to Europe rather than going via Asia... Will have to keep some holidays free this year to take advantage of these fares to new cities they add to their network which can be ridiculously cheap and they're *A so can credit to my US Air account for more awards i imagine...

This sounds like win, win, win...

Edit: Ah OK, maybe take off one of those wins... But i'll see, still have to work out the machanics of crediting to US Air but i know i can fly with them as a partner on their awards, but probably not in J... We'll see anyway..

 

[SeaWolf]

That is excellent news, more options are always welcome and I've heard good things about QR.

They aren't Star Alliance, though they do have a partnership with USAir, but I don't think you'll earn status miles for flights with them that are credited to US.

 

[casanovawa]

Not sure if status miles are different to normal miles, but as i don't chase status or higher tiers, flying QR on anything other than these classes I, N, O, R, S, X will accrue dividend miles at at least 50%...

The odd really cheap fares probably fall into these omitted classes, but what the heck still nice to be able to maybe rack up a few miles...

US Airways | Earn More Miles - Qatar Airways

 

[Must...Fly!]

C'mon Qatar deal us a ridiculous introductory fare!

Although I can't help but think what Etihad feels about all this.

 

[SeaWolf]

Although I can't help but think what Etihad feels about all this.

Dunno, but it'd be awesome if they started up service as well. Or better still, V Australia services Perth to Abu Dhabi and then onwards with their codeshares on Etihad!

 

[Ansettaddict123]

Although I can't help but think what Etihad feels about all this.

Their fault for sitting on the fence for too long

 

[markis10]

from Airline route, three days a week going 7 in Nov next year!

QATAR Airways Increase Perth Service to Daily from NW12 | Airline Route

As per 18NOV11 GDS Inventory display, QATAR Airways from 27OCT12 is increasing Doha – Perth service from 3 weekly to Daily. Operational aircraft will also change from Airbus A330-200 to Boeing 777-200LR.
This route is to be launched from 03JUL12.
Schedule for Northern Winter 2012/13 season:

QR900 DOH0150 – 1815PER 77L D
QR901 PER2230 – 0520+1DOH 77L D

 

[casanovawa]

Hmmm, i thought that bloke said a couple of months, not July next year???