Doha-based Qatar Airways has confirmed Tuesday 26 June as the start of its four-times weekly service to New York Newark Liberty International Airport. The flights will operate via Geneva - the airline's second destination in Switzerland - following on from its successful service roll-out to Zurich, which also operates four times a week. A three-class Airbus A330 will be used on the New York route.
The Washington flights will begin Thursday 19 July, but will operate non-stop in slightly more than 13 hours to Dulles International Airport, using an Airbus A340-600.
Qatar Airways will run a national advertising campaign in the US and chief executive officer, Akbar Al Baker, said: "Americans flying to Doha and other Gulf destinations, as well as the Indian subcontinent, now have the option of [our] 5-star service out of both New York and Washington. "We are delighted to broaden our reach to the US, and offer the travelling public a long-awaited top-tier service between the Middle East and East Coast. In fact, we will be the first airline from the Middle East to serve Newark International Airport, gateway to New York City and also Washington.”
This year alone, Qatar Airways has already introduced services to Bali, Chennai, Dar es Salaam, Ho Chi Minh City and Lagos. Scheduled services between Doha and Stockholm begin 30 November.
The airline says that expanding its international network means more travellers will be able to use the new Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport, the world's first commercial passenger building dedicated to first class and business class passengers. Built in just nine months, the US$90m terminal features a spa, Jacuzzi, duty free, business centre, and restaurants.