Cathay Pacific Airways and Qatar Airways, members of the oneworld alliance, today announced a strategic agreement on services operated by both airlines between Hong Kong and Doha, effective 30 March 2014. Sales will commence on 25 February 2014.

The agreement between the two airlines is expected to generate a wide range of benefits for customers. Under the new agreement, Cathay Pacific and Qatar Airways will each operate one flight between Hong Kong and Qatar daily, offering premium products and services to passengers travelling to and from the two cities.

Cathay Pacific makes its debut on the Doha route on 30 March, launching a daily service using Airbus A330-300 aircraft with a three-class configuration: Business Class, Premium Economy Class and Economy Class.

The new agreement will give customers of both airlines more opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer points or miles. Top-tier members from Cathay Pacific’s The Marco Polo Club and Qatar Airways’ The Privilege Club will enjoy reciprocal benefits when travelling on flights between Hong Kong and Qatar, including lounge access, extra baggage allowances, priority boarding and many other priority services.

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive John Slosar said: “Cathay Pacific has a strong commitment to serving the Middle East and we are pleased to enter into this agreement with oneworld partner Qatar Airways, and at the same time launch our own new service to Doha. This exciting business opportunity will help us maximise the potential of the market between Qatar and Hong Kong and enable both airlines to create synergies that will improve the overall travel experience for our customers.”

Qatar Airways’ CEO Akbar Al Baker said: “Qatar Airways is delighted to extend our oneworld partnership with Cathay Pacific with this new initiative as it will offer our passengers the opportunity to enjoy an even greater range of five-star benefits. The advantages of this agreement, such as premium lounge access and extra baggage allowances, reflect our ongoing commitment to ensure that we offer the highest standard of in-flight experience.”

The combined Cathay Pacific and Qatar Airways schedule for Hong Kong (HKG)-Doha (DOH) from 30 March 2014 is as follows (all times local):

* Note: The schedule may change without prior notice.

About Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific Airways is a Hong Kong-based airline offering scheduled passenger and cargo services to more than 180 destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, Europe and Africa, using a fleet of 140 wide-body aircraft. The airline offers exceptional service and world-beating products on the ground and in the air - including its multiple award-winning long-haul Business Class. Cathay Pacific has made substantial investments to develop Hong Kong as one of the world's leading global transportation hubs.

About Qatar Airways

On October 30, 2013, Qatar Airways joined the oneworld Alliance, becoming the first Gulf carrier to join the global airline alliance, enabling its customers to benefit from almost a thousand airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,000 daily departures. Award-winning carrier Qatar Airways was presented with three honours at the annual Skytrax 2013 World Airline Awards held during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, France last June. The airline was awarded World's Best Business Class, World's Best Business Class Lounge and, for the second consecutive year, Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East.