Qatar to Launch Direct JFK – Athens Service

by Adam

Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways CEO, announced in Athens yesterday that the airline intends to launch Doha-Athens-JFK / JFK-Athens-Doha flights in Spring 2013 using either B787 or A380 aircraft. The flights come at a time when both United and Olympic Airways have recently cancelled their direct JFK-ATH flights. Delta will continue operating the route using B767 aircraft.

Qatar Airways is a oneworld member designate, meaning that within the next 12 months or so you should be able to redeem American AAdvantage or British Airways Avios miles for this flight. If availability is as generous as it was during the Continental/Qatar partnership, then this could be a pretty sweet (and reasonable) redemption option for that summer trip to Greece.  Middle Eastern carrier to Europe from the US? This could become the new norm as Al Baker noted that Qatar intends to operate several Doha – European – North American flights in the near future.  Does Emirates have similar plans?

Speaking of Greece, check out my recent trip report on the Mystique, an SPG Luxury Collection property and one of my favorite hotels of all time.

a man using a tablet in an airplane

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7 comments

Paul November 29, 2012 - 4:04 pm

Any guesses on what a rt business or first class ticket would be in AA miles or BA avois? Are there fuel surcharges on avios with Qatar? If not that would be avios more valuable in getting to Europe…

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adam November 29, 2012 - 4:05 pm

@Paul – right now it’s all TBD. For UA/CO partnership US to Middle East was 60k miles one-way, with a free stopover on a roundtrip award. 120k roundtrip allowed for a trip to Doha and a connection to Asia, Africa, etc!

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Qatar Airways to launch nonstop service between New York and… Athens?! - One Mile at a Time November 29, 2012 - 9:22 pm

[…] (Tip of the hat to Point Me to the Plane) […]

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george February 22, 2013 - 10:25 am

I see Adam posted this in November – but I’m wondering if there’s any update on when rt business or first class tickets will be available using AA miles? Any info would be amazing, thanks!

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adam February 22, 2013 - 12:47 pm

@george – unfortunately, it does not seem to be any time soon. From Qatar’s FAQs – “The joining date is still to be determined but is expected during the second half of 2013 or early 2014.” http://support.qatarairways.com/entries/22642746-When-will-Qatar-Airways-join-oneworld-

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Qatar to Fly Non-Stop to Philadelphia (PHL)! - Point Me To The Plane May 6, 2013 - 7:19 am

[…] Related – see Qatar to Launch Direct JFK – Athens Service […]

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Konstantinos May 6, 2013 - 12:06 pm

I don’t think this route is going to happen, correct?
Has anyone heard anything?

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