The national airlines of Qatar, the United Kingdom, and Spain are joining forces: Qatar Airways, British Airways, and Iberia. Qatar Airways and British Airways jointly operate the largest airline operation in the world, serving more than 60 countries. Beginning in July, Iberia will join the partnership, transforming connectivity for international travellers.
Iberia will introduce a new daily service from Madrid Barajas International Airport to Hamad International Airport (voted Best Airport in the Middle East for the ninth consecutive year by Skytrax) beginning on 11 December 2023. Through these three global airlines, passengers will have access to more than 200 destinations. Together, Iberia and Qatar Airways will provide unrivalled connectivity between the Iberian Peninsula and critical markets in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia by operating three times daily on the route.
Iberia will operate the Airbus A330-200, which features 288 seats across Business and Economy compartments. The expansion of the partnership provides customers with a wider selection of destinations, flight schedules, fares, and seamless connectivity via Doha, London, and Madrid, as well as a wider selection of award-winning products, such as Qatar Airways’ Qsuite, Iberia’s Business Class, and British Airways’ Club Suite.
Whether travelling for business or pleasure, Spaniards and Portuguese will be able to connect to a vast array of new destinations. Relaxing in the Maldives and Seychelles, adventuring in Tanzania and Nepal, enjoying cultural vacations in India and Oman, shopping in Singapore and Thailand, and visiting family and friends in Australia and Hong Kong are all more accessible than ever before.
In addition, customers from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia can travel effortlessly to Madrid, Lisbon, Ibiza, Malaga, Gran Canaria, and dozens of other destinations in Spain and Portugal.
Members of British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Qatar Airways Privilege Club are the first in the world to be able to accumulate and spend their common currency, Avios. Transferring Avios between accounts and combining their Avios balances to claim rewards offered by each programme is possible for loyalty members.
His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways Group, stated:
At Qatar Airways, we believe in connecting travellers to their destinations of choice and our recent enhancement to the highly successful joint business with British Airways, includes the addition of another oneworld member, Iberia. Our passengers will now have more opportunities than ever to connect to different destinations across the British Airways, Iberia, and Qatar Airways’ networks. This collaborative effort comes as part of our commitment to continuously improve the offerings available to our passengers and provide them with the best in the industry.
Sean Doyle, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of British Airways, stated:
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.
Fernando Candela, chief executive officer of Iberia, stated:
Joining the QJB with Qatar Airways and British Airways is excellent news for our customers. We are really excited about the launch of our Madrid-Doha route. Through QJB hubs in London and Doha, we are building the much-desired bridge between Spain and more than 200 destinations in Asia, Australasia, the Middle-East, and Africa, and offering new opportunities for travelers in both directions. Our country is moving towards a new model of higher-quality tourism and, with the Madrid-Doha launching, we are making a breakthrough.
