Philadelphia will become the first U.S. destination in Qatar Airways’ route network to be served by the airline’s newest aircraft model. As the global launch customer of the Airbus A350 XWB, Qatar Airways plans to begin operating an A350 on its daily service between Doha’s Hamad International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport starting January 1, 2016. That date coincides with the carrier’s launch of new service to Los Angeles International Airport, one of three new U.S. destinations Qatar will add in 2016.
“We are very pleased to announce the launch of our first A350 service to the United States. Philadelphia is the sixth largest metropolitan area in the USA and an important international business hub that is home to seven Fortune 1000 companies,” said Akbar Al Bakar, CEO of Qatar Airways Group. “With the introduction of the A350 on January 1, Qatar Airways will further strengthen its presence in Philadelphia and across the U.S., offering passengers an enhanced, world-class travel experience.”
Beginning March 1, 2016, and March 16, 2016, respectively, the A350 will also operate daily flights to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport.
The state-of-the-art A350 will deliver greater efficiency and comfort on the Philadelphia route. Compared with the Boeing 777-200LR that currently serves the city, the A350 increases overall capacity while offering a modern cabin layout. Qatar’s daily seating on the Philadelphia route will be configured with 238 seats on the A350, including 36 fully flat business class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, replacing the previous capacity of 259 seats on the older aircraft. Passengers can expect upgraded amenities, quieter cabins and improved fuel efficiency on A350 services.
Introducing the A350 on U.S. routes reflects Qatar Airways’ broader fleet modernization and expansion strategy. The aircraft is designed for long-haul operations with a focus on passenger comfort, lower environmental impact and operational performance—attributes that support Qatar Airways’ goal of enhancing connectivity between Doha and major North American cities. Philadelphia’s selection as the first U.S. A350 destination underscores the city’s role as a significant commercial and cultural center and marks a notable milestone in the carrier’s North American network growth.