(TAN): Qatar Airways, British Airways and Iberia, have joined forces to create the world’s largest airline joint business. This partnership, initiated by Qatar Airways and British Airways, already covers more than 60 countries and is set to be further bolstered by the addition of Iberia in July, an official statement said.
The strategic collaboration aims to revolutionize connectivity for travellers worldwide, with Iberia introducing a new daily service from its hub, Madrid Barajas International Airport, to Hamad International Airport. Commencing from December 11, passengers will gain access to over 200 destinations across the expansive networks of these three global airlines. Iberia’s and Qatar Airways’ expanded service will operate three times daily on the route, offering unparalleled connectivity between the Iberian Peninsula and key markets in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
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Iberia will deploy the Airbus A330-200 aircraft, accommodating 288 seats in Business and Economy cabins. With this expansion, customers can enjoy an array of options, including diverse destinations, flexible flight schedules, competitive fares, and seamless connectivity via Doha, London, and Madrid. Moreover, passengers will have access to a wider selection of award-winning products, such as Qatar Airways’ Qsuite, Iberia’s Business Class, and British Airways’ Club Suite.
This collaboration not only benefits travellers from Spain and Portugal, who can now explore a plethora of new destinations for both leisure and business, but also provides customers from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia with easy access to vibrant cities like Madrid, Lisbon, Ibiza, Malaga, and Gran Canaria, as well as numerous other locations in Spain and Portugal.
Members of British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Qatar Airways Privilege Club can now collect and redeem rewards using a shared currency called Avios. This seamless integration allows loyalty members to transfer Avios between accounts and combine balances to unlock rewards offered by each programme.
Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker expressed his commitment to connecting travellers with their desired destinations, emphasizing that the expansion is a testament to their dedication to enhancing passenger offerings. “Our passengers will now have more opportunities than ever to connect to different destinations across the British Airways, Iberia, and Qatar Airways’ networks,” he said.
British Airways Chairman and CEO Sean Doyle said, ““Last year we expanded our joint business partnership with Qatar Airways with the addition of 42 countries, and I’m so pleased to see it growing even further as we welcome Iberia on board. We’re committed to offering our customers as much choice as possible, and working so closely with our partners in Madrid and Doha connects British Airways to more than 200 destinations globally.”
Iberia CEO Fernando Candela welcomed the collaboration, highlighting the significance of the Madrid-Doha route launch.
