Qatar Airways expands Winter network to over 170 destinations, adds new routes

Qatar Airways has announced a major expansion of its global network, reaching more than 170 destinations during the 2026-2027 Winter season. This includes adding new services, route resumptions, and frequency increases across every major region it serves.

The airline announced its Winter schedule on September 10, 2026, declaring that it will operate more than 186 weekly flights across Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East through its hub at Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar.

New routes and resumptions

Two major additions anchor the Winter season:

Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ), Tanzania, will see the resumption of daily flights starting October 25, 2026.

Canberra Airport (CBR), Australia, will be reconnected to Qatar Airways’ network via Melbourne Airport (MEL) with daily service beginning December 9, 2026.

Asia Pacific: The biggest push of the season

Asia Pacific will see some of the season’s most significant changes, particularly for European travelers connecting through Doha:

Phuket International Airport (HKT): 14 to 21 weekly flights from October 25, 2026

Malé Velana International Airport (MLE): 12 to 21 weekly flights from October 25, 2026

Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN): 7 to 11 weekly flights from November 7, 2026, including the return of four direct Doha-Ho Chi Minh City services alongside the existing Doha-Ho Chi Minh City-Phnom Penh operation

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL): 18 weekly flights from October 25, 2026, complemented by 14 weekly flights from oneworld partner Malaysia Airlines

Melbourne Airport (MEL): 7 to 14 weekly flights from December 9, 2026
In Australia, Virgin Australia, Qatar Airways’ partner, will also expand its own Doha services from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, beginning December 2026:

Sydney: 7 to 14 weekly Virgin flights (21 weekly combined with Qatar Airways)

Brisbane: 3 weekly Virgin flights restarting (10 weekly combined)

Perth: 4 weekly Virgin flights restarting (11 weekly combined)
Africa: Growth into leisure and business markets

Zanzibar (ZNZ): Daily flights resume October 25, 2026

Seychelles International Airport (SEZ): 4 to 7 weekly flights from March 1, 2027

O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), Johannesburg: 14 to 18 weekly flights from December 2, 2026
Europe: Strengthening key gateways

London Heathrow Airport (LHR): 49 to 56 weekly flights from October 25, 2026, an 11% capacity increase, complemented by codeshare partner British Airways’ daily service

Frankfurt Airport (FRA): 18 to 21 weekly flights from December 7, 2026
Americas: Boosting Canada connections

Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL): 5 to 7 weekly flights from October 25, 2026, a 40% seat capacity boost, aimed at growing demand from the Indian Subcontinent and Middle East
Middle East: Four Saudi resumptions

Qatar Airways is expanding services within the Middle East by roughly 10% for the Winter season, with four route resumptions in Saudi Arabia:

Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Regional Airport (ELQ), Qassim: October 25, 2026

Taif Regional Airport (TIF): October 31, 2026

Prince Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz Airport (YNB), Yanbu: January 2, 2027

Tabuk Regional Airport (TUU): January 3, 2027
Each destination will operate twice weekly, bringing Qatar Airways’ total to more than 155 weekly flights across 12 Saudi destinations, a 10% increase over the Summer schedule.

Starlink rollout continues

Alongside the network expansion, Qatar Airways is continuing its Starlink Wi-Fi rollout across its widebody fleet. 

The airline now operates up to 340 Starlink-enabled flights daily, across more than 150 equipped widebody aircraft, making high-speed onboard connectivity a growing part of the passenger experience across six continents.

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