Qatar Airways has expanded its reach in Japan by re-introducing its non-stop service to another important gateway – Osaka. With international travel coming back in full swing, the airline has been resuming flights to several destinations that were dropped in the last few years.
Qatar Airways has announced the resumption of its flight connecting Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Kansai International Airport (KIX). Popular for its bustling streets, iconic landmarks, and world-class cuisine, Osaka is a significant gateway for travelers in Japan after Tokyo. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, commented,
“As we continue to be at the forefront of global connectivity, Qatar Airways is delighted to once again serve the Kansai region of Japan with our new Osaka route. This strategic expansion strengthens the award-winning airline’s commitment to the Japanese market, opening a gateway for travellers from Japan to the “Best Airport in the Middle East”, Hamad International Airport and our network of over 170 destinations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and more.”
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The airline uses its Airbus A350-900 aircraft on this route, offering 36 business class and 247 economy class seats. Travelers connecting via Doha can also take advantage of stopover packages to Qatar offered by Qatar Airways Holidays.
Qatar’s Doha (DOH) to Osaka (KIX) service operates as flight QR802 with a departure time of 01:10 and an arrival of 16:30 local time. The return service – flight QR803 – departs Osaka at 18:00 and arrives in Doha at 00:05 + 1 local time.
Qatar Airways has a codeshare partnership with Japan Airlines and uses this deal to offer domestic connectivity to 34 codeshare destinations in Japan. Apart from Osaka, Qatar Airways also flies to both Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) airports. Japan Airlines also places its code on all Qatar flights between the two countries to offer its passengers 14 destinations via Doha in Qatar Airways’ global network.
All three of Qatar Airways’ passenger services to Japan are operated by its Airbus A350 fleet – the aircraft type shoulders a significant responsibility of carrying out the airline’s long-haul flights. But Qatar Airways has had a bumpy relationship with the A350.
Not too long ago, the carrier was engaged in a dispute with Airbus after one of its A350 aircraft displayed cracks, which the plane manufacturer described as “irregularities on the surface coating” and deemed superficial and cosmetic.
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Qatar Airways was unconvinced of the explanation and decided to ground some of its A350s, even threatening to halt future deliveries. The matter went to court and created headlines, but things eventually settled down with an amicable and mutually agreeable settlement.
It was recently reported that the airline’s last A350, which was grounded due to the conflict, has been reactivated for its return to service. Simple Flying has looked into the story in detail in the article below.
The return to service of the Airbus A350 registered A7-ALF marks the official end of a very long and dramatic dispute over paint degradation.
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