Qatar Airways is resuming its unparalleled non-stop service between Doha (DOH) and Auckland (AKL), a route placed on hold during the initial COVID-19 outbreak.
Related: Qatar Airways Commences Regular Flights of Its First Boeing 737 MAX 8
According to aviation data firm Cirium, the airline is upping the ante on this course, offering 4,578 seats per week, reflecting a 20% increase from pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
“Our Doha to Auckland direct service, along with several recently announced routes, provides expedited connections for passengers in key European markets, such as the UK and Ireland,” remarked Akbar Al Baker, the Group CEO of Qatar Airways.
The reinstated service holds the title of the airline’s longest flight, spanning 14,535 kilometers between Doha and Auckland. Initially inaugurated in February 2017, the service was previously operated using Boeing 777-200LR aircraft. Now it would be the third longest flight in the world.
Revamped Qatar Airways’ New Zealand Schedule
Effective from September 1:
- Flight QR 920: DOH 01:50 – AKL 02:25+1 daily.
- Flight QR 921: AKL 15:00 – DOH 23:15 daily.
The route will now employ the Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, boasting a capacity of 327 seats across two classes (46 Business Class/ 281 Economy). Promotional fares are currently starting at USD 1,137 one-way.
Qatar Airways further enhances New Zealand’s global connectivity, offering expedient routes to 39 destinations in Continental Europe and the UK via its hub in Doha, out of Auckland.
Scott Tasker, Auckland Airport’s Director of Customer Service, believes this service expansion will significantly improve accessibility for New Zealanders to prime gateway cities like Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Doha. “We anticipate an increase in outbound travel, which will invariably boost local tourism,” Tasker noted.
Those who purchased tickets for New Zealand post-September 1 will be transferred to the non-stop service, replacing the current Adelaide-routed Auckland service.
The longest routes in the world
According to information obtained by Aviacionline through Cirium, these are the ten longest routes in the world (in kilometers) scheduled for May:
- Singapore (SIN) – New York (JFK) – 15,268 km: operated by Singapore Airlines with Airbus A350-900
- Singapore (SIN) – Newark (EWR) – 15,263: operated by Singapore Airlines with Airbus A350-900
- Perth (PER) – London (LHR) – 14,465 km: operated by Qantas with Boeing 787-9.
- Melbourne (MEL) – Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) – 14,441 km: operated by Qantas with Boeing 787-9.
- Auckland (AKL) – New York (JFK) – 14,183 km: operated by Air New Zealand with Boeing 787-9.
- Dubai (Dubai) – Auckland (AKL) 14,178 km: operated by Emirates with Airbus A380.
- Singapore (SIN) – Los Angeles (LAX) – 14,095 km: operated by Singapore Airlines with Airbus A350-900.
- Bangalore (BLR) – San Francisco (SFO) – 13,987 km: operated by Air India with Boeing 777-200LR.
- Sydney (SYD) – Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) – 13,790 km: operated by Qantas with Boeing 787-9.
- Manila (MNL) – New York (JFK) – 13,700 km: operated by Philippine Airlines with Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777-300ER.
