Qatar Airways is moving forward with its plans to launch a service to Seattle, with the airline due to launch services on 15th March 2021. In turn, it is partnering with Alaska Airlines too.
Qatar Airways Airbus A350-900 climbing out of Manchester Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
The airline will offer four flights a week, based on the following timetable.
QR719 DEPART DOH 08:00 ARRIVE SEA 12:20 QR720 DEPART SEA 17:05 ARRIVE DOH 17:15+1 Commences 15th March 2021 Operates Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday Booked Equipment: Airbus A350-900 (QSuites)
The Seattle service will be operated by Qatar Airways’ state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 featuring 36 seats in the Qsuite Business Class (in a 1-2-1 formation and 247 seats in Economy Class (in a 3-3-3 formation).
In tandem with the planned Seattle route launch, Qatar Airways has announced a frequent flyer partnership with Alaska Airlines. From 15th December 2020, Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Alaska Mileage Plan members will be able to earn frequent flyer miles and from 31st March 2021 members can also redeem frequent flyer miles on both carriers’ full networks, and elite status perks including lounge access.
The two airlines are also working on developing a codeshare agreement and commercial cooperation in line with the U.S. carrier joining oneworld on 31 March 2021.
This will be Qatar Airways 11th destination in the USA – with the airline serving Boston, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston-Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Miami, New York-JFK, Philadelphia, San Francisco) and Washington-Dulles).
In Quotes
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, said:
“Qatar Airways is committed to enhancing connectivity within the U.S. market, and the launch of flights to Seattle, our second new U.S. destination since the onset of the pandemic, epitomises this commitment. We are excited to welcome Washington State’s largest city as our seventh new destination announced this year, and our eleventh U.S. gateway, surpassing the number of destinations we operated in the U.S. pre-COVID19. Home to a large tech industry and a portal of innovation, Seattle is a destination that is internationally renowned for business and leisure travel.
“Despite the challenges of 2020, Qatar Airways has remained committed to exploring every opportunity to further enhance the travel experience for our millions of passengers and is proud to secure another important strategic partnership in North America. In Alaska Airlines, we will have a very strong partner to connect customers from the U.S. West Coast to Doha and beyond via its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, complementing our existing strategic partnerships with American Airlines and JetBlue. We look forward to further deepening our cooperation with the newest joiner to the oneworld family and continuing to provide our passengers the reliable, safe and award-winning service that they have come to trust from us.”
Alaska Air Group Chairman and CEO, Brad Tilden, said:
“We’re thrilled to be joining the oneworld alliance and to begin this new partnership with an outstanding airline like Qatar Airways. As more of us resume international air travel next year, we are excited to offer our guests new nonstop service on Qatar Airways from Seattle to Doha, in addition to service to Doha from our hubs in Los Angeles and San Francisco. This partnership opens up tremendous destinations around the world and amazing opportunities for our guests.”
Port of Seattle Commission President, Peter Steinbrueck, said:
“This commitment by Qatar Airways, despite the current situation with the pandemic, is a testament to how the world views the long-term strength and resiliency of the Puget Sound region. This also supports the Port’s decision to continue to invest in projects such as the International Arrivals Facility and North Satellite Modernization to provide a better experience for travelers from around the world.”
Boosting the US presence
With Alaska Airlines on the cusp of joining oneworld, this is a useful boost of connectivity between the Qatar and the West Coast of the USA – adding additional connectivity out of the Seattle hub. With American Airlines also focusing on Seattle (with the planned launch of the Bangalore service), there will be more travel options in 2021 for those who need to travel.
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