Pictured at a press conference announcing the strategic alliance are, from left, Flexjet president Fred Reid, executive vice president of Qatar Executive Tilmann Gabriel and Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker

Qatar Airways has announced a strategic alliance with fractional jet programme provider Flexjet to offer customers access to over 5,000 destinations beyond the Doha-based airline’s four North American gateways.

Flexjet is aircraft manufacturer Bombardier’s fractional ownership business, providing access to more than 80 modern executive aircraft. Aircraft available as part of the Flexjet Connect programme, are operated by United States air carrier Jet Solutions.

The new agreement enables customers travelling on Qatar Airways’ scheduled flights to and from New York, Washington, Houston and Montreal, to book a private premium jet service in a single transaction to cover over 5,000 airports across the region.

The exclusive partnership, managed by the airline’s private jet division Qatar Executive as part of Qatar Airways’ premium product portfolio, will ensure passengers have seamless and hassle-free onward connections in America, Canada, as well as parts of Mexico and the tropical islands of the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos.

No matter if the final destination is in California, Florida or British Columbia, Qatar Airways’ customers from across its global network travelling to or from North America via its Doha hub can conveniently connect in the privacy and exclusivity of a private jet to their final destination with Bombardier Challenger aircraft operated by Jet Solutions.

All Qatar Airways’ customers will receive the same industry-leading customer service provided to Flexjet’s fractional jet owners.

Speaking at a press conference at EBACE, Europe’s premier business aviation show, in Geneva, Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said the new service was yet another enhanced product offering by Qatar’s national carrier.

“We are extremely pleased to be launching this new programme and are confident that it is an attractive product offering for individuals and large multi-national companies alike,” said Al Baker.

“Today’s customers want flexibility, extensive reach, confidentiality and convenience all from a single source.

“This new alliance gives customers from Qatar and the rest of the airline’s international network the ability to book their travel on Qatar Airways’ commercial service and on-demand private jets to their onward destination within North America with a single phone call.

“Vice versa we look forward to providing the travelling public from North America a premium door-to-door service when heading to the Middle East and beyond.”