Qatar Airways Expands Winter Network to Over 170 Destinations

Qatar Airways is set to expand its global network to more than 170 destinations for the 2026-2027 winter season, reflecting a significant growth in its operations. The winter schedule, featuring approximately 1,800 weekly frequencies by December 2026, will include both resumed services and increased flight frequencies across Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East.

Network Expansions

Africa

• Daily flights to Zanzibar (ZNZ), Tanzania, will resume from 25 October 2026

• Services to Seychelles (SEZ) will increase from four to seven weekly flights starting 1 March 2027

• Flights to Johannesburg (JNB), South Africa, will see an increase from 14 to 18 weekly flights from 2 December 2026

Americas

• Services to Montréal (YUL), Canada, will increase from five to seven weekly flights, starting 25 October 2026

Asia Pacific

• From 25 October 2026, Phuket (HKT), Thailand, will see an increase from 14 to 21 weekly flights

• Malé (MLE), the Maldives, will go from 12 to 21 weekly flights

• Flights to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Vietnam, will increase from seven to 11 weekly services from 7 November 2026, supported by the reintroduction of direct four weekly flights between Doha and Ho Chi Minh City

• Kuala Lumpur (KUL) will offer 18 weekly flights from 25 October 2026, complemented by Malaysia Airlines' 14 weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Doha.

• Starting 9 December 2026, Qatar Airways will resume daily flights to Canberra (CBR) via Melbourne (MEL), Australia. Frequencies to Melbourne will also expand from seven to 14 weekly flights from the same date.

• Partner airline Virgin Australia will also expand flights from Sydney to 14 weekly (total 21 with Qatar Airways), restart Brisbane with three weekly flights (total 10 with Qatar Airways), and restart Perth with four weekly flights (total 11 with Qatar Airways) from December 2026.

Europe

• London Heathrow (LHR) flights increase from 49 to 56 weekly services from 25 October 2026, adding 11 per cent capacity

• Services to Frankfurt (FRA), Germany, will increase from 18 to 21 weekly flights from 7 December 2026, an increase of seven per cent in capacity.

Middle East

In the Middle East, Qatar Airways will resume services to four destinations in Saudi Arabia, each twice weekly. This will increase Qatar Airways' Saudi network to 12 destinations, with over 155 weekly flights:

• Qassim (ELQ) from 25 October 2026

• Taif (TIF) from 31 October 2026

• Yanbu (YNB) from 2 January 2027

• Tabuk (TUU) from 3 January 2027.

Souce: Qatarairways

Opinion

A largely positive announcement for travellers, offering more choices and increased capacity across a broad range of destinations. The 40% increase in capacity to Montréal is particularly notable for those travelling between North America, the Indian Subcontinent, and the Middle East.