Qatar Airways Resumes Direct Flights from Doha to Lisbon

Qatar Airways has resumed its direct flights between Doha and Lisbon, a route that had been paused since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The relaunch aims to enhance connectivity between the Middle East and Western Europe, with the airline operating six weekly flights during the summer season and fewer flights throughout the rest of the year.

The Doha-Lisbon route will be serviced by Qatar Airways' Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, ensuring passengers a comfortable journey across the 3,618-mile distance. The flights' schedule is notably irregular, with departure times varying almost every day, offering flexibility for travelers.

Qatar Airways, headquartered at Hamad International Airport in Doha, is one of the world's leading airlines, flying to over 170 destinations. The airline reported nearly 32 million passengers in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, partly driven by the increased travel demand during the FIFA World Cup. Despite its robust recovery, not all pre-pandemic routes have been reinstated.

The airline initially launched flights to Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport in June 2019 but had to suspend operations due to the pandemic. After announcing the route’s return in February, Qatar Airways began its operations on June 6. Aviation analytics firm Cirium reports that the airline has scheduled 42 roundtrip flights between Lisbon and Doha this month, with 10,668 seats available. This will increase to 54 flights and 13,716 seats next month, before reducing to five times weekly in October and four times weekly in December.

In addition to Lisbon, Qatar Airways is expanding its European network. The airline resumed flights to Venice and will launch new routes to Hamburg in July, both operating daily. With over 5,000 roundtrip flights to Europe planned for July, Qatar Airways' busiest route remains London Heathrow, offering up to eight daily flights. This extensive network allows passengers seamless connections via British Airways and American Airlines, enhancing travel options to numerous destinations in Europe and the United States.

Thierry Antinori, Chief Commercial Officer of Qatar Airways, expressed the airline's enthusiasm about the relaunch, stating, "As we continue our network expansion in the European market, we are thrilled to welcome back Lisbon to our global network of more than 170 destinations. This addition reaffirms the airline's dedication to connecting people and places, making international travel more accessible and convenient across our global network."

Qatar Airways’ strategic route expansions and adjustments reflect its commitment to maintaining a comprehensive global network, offering travelers a wide array of destinations and flexible scheduling options.