After being suspended for a few years, Qatar Airways will bring back its longest flight. At one point this was the world’s longest flight, and once it resumes, it will be the world’s third longest flight. While we learned that this would happen a few weeks back, the flights are now on sale, so let’s look at the details.
In this post:
Qatar Airways Doha to Auckland route resumes
Qatar Airways plans to resume its nonstop service between Doha (DOH) and Auckland (AKL) as of September 1, 2023. Specifically, the airline intends to launch the service with the following schedule:
QR920 Doha to Auckland departing 1:50AM arriving 2:45AM (+1 day)
QR921 Auckland to Doha departing 3:00PM arriving 11:15PM
The 9,033-mile flight is blocked at 15hr55min eastbound and 17hr15min westbound. The route will be operated by an Airbus A350-1000, featuring 327 seats. This includes 46 business class seats and 281 economy class seats. It’s nice to see the route resumed with this aircraft type, since it’s the only plane in the fleet where all jets have Qsuites business class.
This route initially launched in February 2017, and at the time was the world’s longest flight. At this point this will be the world’s third longest flight, after Singapore Airlines’ route between Singapore (SIN) and both New York (JFK) and Newark (EWR). Qatar Airways’ flight is around 20 miles longer than Qantas’ route between Perth (PER) and London (LHR).
Since this flight is now bookable, award seats are also available on this flight, and availability is fairly decent, including in business class. See my guide to redeeming miles for Qatar Airways business class.
How this fits into Qatar Airways’ route network
Even though Qatar Airways did an amazing job maintaining its network throughout the pandemic, the airline cut Auckland flights in 2020, given the extent to which New Zealand closed its borders. Unfortunately even when the country’s borders reopened, the airline didn’t resume this nonstop route.
I’d assume that this was due to a lack of available aircraft, given the dispute that existed between Qatar Airways and Airbus (which has since been resolved). With Qatar Airways now putting grounded A350s back into service, I assume the airline once again has the aircraft available to operate this service.
Currently Qatar Airways does fly to Auckland, though that’s as a tag service on Qatar Airways’ flight from Doha to Adelaide (ADL). When the nonstop Doha to Auckland route resumes, the tag flight from Adelaide to Auckland will be discontinued. Qatar Airways will still serve Adelaide twice daily — once nonstop from Doha, and once as a tag flight from Melbourne (MEL).
Emirates also flies nonstop from Dubai to Auckland, which is just a slightly shorter route, and that’s operated by an Airbus A380.
Bottom line
Qatar Airways will finally be resuming its nonstop flight between Doha and Auckland as of September 2023. At over 9,000 miles, this is the company’s longest flight, and one of the longest flights in the world operated by any airline. It’s exciting to see Qatar Airways resume this route, and it’ll even be operated by an A350-1000 for the first time, guaranteeing Qsuites in business class.
What do you make of Qatar Airways resuming its Doha to Auckland route?
I flew this in 2017 when there was another 45mins or so tacked on as there was some issue with Qatar Airways flying over Dubai - we had to go around.
Being 6'6" and with no premium economy, this is a punishing flight that I would not be in a hurry to experience again.
There really needs to be an option between business and economy class on such a long flight.
I flew that route several times before te pandemic. And I flew the thru flight DOH-(ADL)-AKL a few months ago. It’s a good service but arrives like 1 am?!
Love flying Qatar but stopping in Adelaide makes it longer journey. I wonder when they will include this in the schedule. Going to Europe end of this year so hoping they alter route soon so I can book it
Hopefully they make it go to Christchurch
My wife and myself recently flew with Qatar to SE Asia. We experienced Business Class on B789, A380 and A350.
We changed our return flight from Singapore to fly QSuite (overnight) due to the positive comments.
Interestingly, we both preferred the herringbone 1-2-1 layout on the smaller B789 cabin.
I flew MAN - DOH -AKL in past, but arrival was at more decent time.
Except Qatar airways used a 777 200 LR before the pandemic ! From Doha to Auckland !
YAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!
I am soooo excited to know this!
i had flown the route back in 2019 when it was operated by the B77L
truly a great flight! Now i will be able to book the direct flight for my Spring 2024 vacation :-) welcome back QR920 & QR921 :-) way to go QR :-)
I've flown this route from the UK. I visit Auckland three times a year so I'm glad to see it available again as an option.
@Eskimo, I know you are joking, but you can fly OAK-HNL-AKL on HA. It’s actually pretty convenient with only a 1hr 25 min connection at HNL.
seems like a tight connection considering headwinds. but i suppose there are worse places to be stuck overnight.
Dang, that A35K got long legs. Emirates said they’re losing money on the AKL route. I wonder if it’s the same for QR?
The 388 is a lot of airplane to throw at AKL. The 35K is much cheaper to run. It will be interesting to see if they can make it work.
Sounds like a bloody long trip when Air NZ flies SFO-AKL nonstop every day
@Ray,
Keep in mind that a further modified A35K will be the aircraft that Qantas plans to start nonstops to London, New York, and possibly others with. Thing's got legs for days. ;)
Now if only QR flies to OAK.
Then I can fly OAK-DOH-AKL. That sounds confusingly fun.
@Eskimoo
Considering you don't know basic geography and history (as gloriously demonstrated by your epic fail comment on the 'civil war' in Ukraine, for which your arse was well and truly kicked!) I doubt you'd be smart enough to enough book a tkt, let alone fly to.... Hicksville.
Excellent idea , would consider this route when flying from the UK to AKL , via Adelaide was not an option.