Chicago will join Qatar Airways' network in April 2013

Qatar Airways has announced an expansion of its USA route network with the introduction of daily passenger flights to Chicago from April 10th next year.

The non-stop service from Doha will be the carrier’s fourth USA gateway, following already successful daily operations to New York (JFK), Washington (IAD) and Houston (IAH).

The carrier, which already operates twice-weekly cargo flights to Chicago O’Hare, will use its flagship long-haul Boeing 777-300 Extended Range passenger aircraft on the Doha – Chicago route with an approximate flying time of 15 hours.

Qatar Airways’ expansion to Chicago O’Hare, the world’s second busiest airport handling 70 million passengers a year, has long been earmarked by the airline as a key traffic route that would appeal to travellers from across its passenger network. 

Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: “As Qatar Airways continues its aggressive expansion, we are pleased to finally offer another gateway in the United States, this time to the ‘The Windy City’ of Chicago, five years after we began operations to North America.

“Chicago is a key route for business and leisure travellers alike, connecting them from destinations across India, Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific with a one-stop service via Doha to the Midwest.”