During the opening of ITB Berlin, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker officially announced the launch of the world’s longest non-stop commercial flight, connecting Doha and Auckland, solidifying the airline’s leadership in global aviation.
This inaugural route to New Zealand marks a milestone for Qatar Airways, and is part of a sweeping network expansion introducing 14 new cities, with a strong focus on key European gateways.
At the ITB Berlin press conference, H.E. Mr. Akbar Al Baker addressed the international press, highlighting the airline’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and delivering a premium travel experience to discerning passengers worldwide.
“Our expansion is driven by passenger demand and our ambition to provide an unmatched level of service on routes where we can deliver true value,” stated Mr. Al Baker. “We are excited to welcome new destinations and travelers to the Qatar Airways family.”
Among the five new European destinations from Doha’s award-winning Hamad International Airport are: Pisa, Italy (daily service); Sarajevo, Bosnia (three times weekly); Helsinki, Finland (daily); Skopje, North Macedonia (three times weekly); and Nice, France (five times weekly). All will be operated by the modern, fuel-efficient A320 family aircraft.
Expanding into Africa, Qatar Airways is introducing six new routes from Doha: Marrakech, Morocco (three weekly flights with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner); Windhoek, Namibia (four times weekly); Seychelles (daily flights); Douala, Cameroon and Libreville, Gabon (three times weekly each); and Lusaka, Zambia (three times weekly). These routes respond to growing luxury and business travel demand across the continent.
In the South West Pacific and Southeast Asia, three new routes will launch: Auckland, New Zealand (daily with the Boeing 777, setting a new record for the world’s longest flight); Krabi, Thailand (three times weekly); and Chiang Mai, Thailand (three times weekly). Each service is tailored to meet the rising interest in exclusive leisure and adventure destinations among global travelers.
This ambitious network growth aligns with Qatar Airways’ rapid fleet expansion—currently averaging a new aircraft delivery every 10 days, maintaining one of the youngest and most advanced fleets in the industry. Recent route launches to major cities such as Los Angeles, Sydney, Boston, and Birmingham, UK, further reinforce the airline’s position as a five-star global carrier renowned for innovation, reliability, and luxury.
