New Year’s Day marked a milestone for Qatar Airways, as its first scheduled flight took off from Doha, Qatar, to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in California.
Los Angeles is the eighth U.S. destination for Qatar Airways.
“Los Angeles is one of the great centers of world aviation and will become a vital component in our expanding global network,” Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker said. “We look forward to introducing Angelenos to our award-winning signature service, with access to more than 150 destinations around the world, through our central hub in Doha.”
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said the new relationship between Qatar Airways and LAX would have positive trickle-down effects.
“This new international flight will add more than $600 million to our economy, boost our growing tourism sector and support thousands of new jobs for Angelenos,” he said. “It’s exciting to see LAX take yet another step forward as it continues to extend its reach across the globe.”
A second daily flight to Los Angeles will begin running in April.
Qatar Airways officials said efforts are already underway to add even more American routes, including flights to Boston beginning March 16 and Atlanta on June 1.
“We are honored Qatar Airways chose LAX as its U.S. West Coast debut for this new, historic service,” Deborah Flint, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports, said. “This is the type of quality air service we want to keep attracting to LAX and Los Angeles.”
The new Los Angeles service is not only good news for passengers; it will also increase available cargo capacity for Qatar Airways, which is currently ranked as the third largest international cargo carrier in the world.
Qatar Airways has run freight to LAX since 2015. Presently, three cargo routes are run to LAX from Doha each week. On Jan. 19, a fourth weekly cargo route will be added.
