Qatar Airways and British Airways have completed the next phase of their partnership development, providing worldwide access to more countries than any other airline joint venture.
The airlines have added 42 additional countries to its common network, including Italy, the Maldives, Norway, Singapore, and Sweden, providing customers with improved connectivity between European, Middle Eastern, African, Asian, and Pacific destinations.
Customers will now have even more pricing and schedule options, with direct flights and connections via hubs in London and Doha. This is all part of Qatar Airways and British Airways’ ambition to “Move Further Together” by expanding their combined network and offering passengers the best of both carriers.
The extension will allow for smooth connecting travels on single tickets between Doha and London, raising the total number of destinations offered by the two airlines to 185, spanning more than 60 countries.
The complementing networks give access to dozens of countries that no other alliance or joint venture does. The collaboration also assures access to more cities worldwide, supporting global trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchange.
Customers will also have more freedom to engage in both airlines’ loyalty programmes, earning and spending Avios, their common currency. Customers may link their Qatar Airways Privilege Club, and British Airways Executive Club accounts to transfer Avios and combine balances to collect rewards from both programmes.
Access to both airlines’ luxury lounges and cabins to suit all budgets and needs, including British Airways’ new Club Suite and Qatar Airways’ award-winning Qsuite, is also included in the partnership.
“The expanding partnership between Qatar Airways and British Airways demonstrates to our consumers our joint purpose of offering an unrivalled network with unique advantages,” stated His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive of Qatar Airways”.
“Travelers may now enjoy the highest quality and service levels as they travel across our combined network. The joint venture between our airlines solidifies Qatar Airways and British Airways as industry leaders, to provide our customers with the greatest flexibility and unrivalled connectivity.”
“This is a tremendous milestone in our long-standing relationship with Qatar Airways, an airline that shares our passion for customer care, choice, and flexibility,” said Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO of British Airways.
We are glad to open up the world as the tourism sector continues to recover, from idyllic holiday locations like the Maldives and Thailand to corporate centres like Singapore.”
Cooperation on a small number of routes is still subject to regulatory approvals.