Join an alliance and then start service to partner hubs. That’s the way the industry generally works these days and Qatar Airways is playing their part. The Doha-based carrier announced new service this week from their hub in Doha, Qatar to American Airlines‘ hub at Miami. The service – 4x weekly starting on 1 June 2014 – will be the sixth destination for Qatar Airways in the United States (including AA hubs of JFK and ORD plus PHL, IAH and IAD). The flights will be operated by the 777-200LR in a two class configuration.
This will open up a number of award options for oneworld members and a great alternate routing to India, Africa and Asia. It also provides excellent connections from South America on to the Middle East, though there are a number of direct flights along those routes as well. And, interestingly enough, many routes are longer via Doha than via London. Bangkok, Mumbai and Cape Town are all shorter in miles via the London routing. For Hong Kong it is shorter via Los Angeles or London than Doha. Still, this provides more connection options and, depending on how award fuel surcharges play out, possibly faster and cheaper options.
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It’ll be great for AA awards to the ME/India but still unhelpful for Asia.
Depends on the type of award though, right? For an Explorer award it could still be quite useful if I recall the rules correctly.
How many hours will this be? Even in first this looks like a 16+ hour marathon. Ouch !
It is 12.5 from PHL or JFK so figure somewhere in the 14 hour range from Miami. And, yes, close to 16 on the way back.
The 77L is 2-cabin, not 3-cabin so the best you’ll do is business class.