Qatar Airways is to launch its new route between Doha and Seattle nearly two months earlier than planned.

The Gulf carrier announced plans for the service last month, with an original launch date of mid-March, to coincide with Seattle-based Alaska Airlines joining the Oneworld alliance.

But the airline has now confirmed that four times weekly flights will begin to the US West Coast city on January 29, 2021.

The schedules are as follows:

  • QR719 departing Doha at 0800, arriving into Seattle–Tacoma International airport at 1220
  • QR720 leaving Seattle at 1705 and landing back into Doha at 1715 the following day

The route will be operated by a B777 aircraft configured with 42 Q Suite business class seats, and 312 economy seats. This differs from the original announcement which stated that the route would be served by the carrier’s A350 aircraft.

Qatar Airways also launched a new reciprocal frequent flyer partnership with Alaska Airlines last month, which will be followed by a codeshare agreement taking effect in the spring.

There are currently no direct, nonstop flights between Seattle and Doha – fellow Gulf carrier Emirates flies between Dubai and Seattle (although this route has yet to resume following Covid-19 suspension).

Qatar Airways also launched a new US route to San Francisco in December, with four flights per week using an A350-900 aircraft.

Qatar Airways to launch San Francisco route

Commenting on the news Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, said:

“Qatar Airways is committed to enhancing its connectivity with the US market. Bringing forward the launch of flights to Seattle, our second new US destination since the onset of the pandemic, epitomises this commitment.

“With flights to Washington State’s largest city our US network will grow to 11 gateways, surpassing the number of destinations we operated in the US pre-Covid-19. We look forward to launching our Seattle service and connecting with the hub of our future Oneworld partner, Alaska Airlines.”

qatarairways.com