JEDDAH: Qatar Airways is gearing up for the launch of its nonstop flights to the southern US city of Houston, thus adding to its growing international network. “This will be our third new destination in the United States from Dec. 8,” Ahmed M. Al-Idrissi, Qatar Airways’ area manager for Western Province, told a press conference on the sidelines of an iftar party he hosted exclusively for the airline’s gold and silver members of its frequent flier program, at Jeddah Westin on Tuesday night. Officials, consuls general, leading businessmen and travel trade representatives were present in large numbers. The 17-hour Doha-Houston route will be one of the world’s longest non-stop flights.
The Doha-based carrier first launched scheduled flights to the US last summer with services to New York, followed three weeks later with nonstop flights to Washington DC. Houston is home to natural oil resources and more than 5,000 energy-related businesses. The carrier has a code share agreement with the premier US airline — United — which gives their passengers more destinations to choose from. “The airline currently has more than 200 aircraft on order worth over $30 billion for delivery over the next few years,” Al-Idrissi said.
From its hub in the country’s capital, the airline has developed a global network of destinations, covering Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent, Far East and America.
