Qatar Airways announces new route to Iran

Qatar Airways will expand its operations in Iran with the launch of a new twice-weekly direct service to Isfahan International Airport, starting from 4 February 2019, as well as introducing increased services to Shiraz and Tehran, from early January 2019.

Isfahan will become the airline’s fourth non-stop gateway to Iran, joining Tehran, Shiraz, and Mashad, with the service operating from Doha each Monday and Friday by an Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring 12 seats in Business Class and 132 seats in Economy Class.

Three extra weekly flights will be introduced to the Shiraz service on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, taking the route to a daily operation from 2 January 2019.

The airline will also introduce two extra flights on the Tehran route, with the addition of an extra flight on Wednesdays from 2 January 2019 and Fridays from 4 January 2019, taking the route to a triple-daily operation every day except on Tuesdays, when the service runs twice-daily.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “With its incredible, age-old architecture and bustling traditional bazaars, we are thrilled to announce Isfahan as Qatar Airways’ fourth-service gateway into Iran.

“Isfahan is a city that is not only steeped in history but one that has also emerged in recent years to combine its rich cultural heritage with modernity, making it one of Iran’s most fascinating, colorful and lively places for international visitors.

“We are also delighted to announce that we are increasing our weekly services to both Shiraz and Tehran in January.

“These latest launches are further evidence of Qatar Airways’ commitment to Iran, as well as the expansion of our network in this thriving market to provide greater connectivity to both business and leisure passengers alike.”

Standing at the foothills of the Zagros mountain range, the beautiful, ancient city of Isfahan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famed for its stunning mosques and palaces, magnificent public squares, atmospheric traditional tea houses, tranquil gardens, and exquisite historic hand-painted tiling at every turn.

The newly-introduced flights to Isfahan will operate every Monday and Friday departing from Doha at 01:45, arriving at Isfahan at 04:00; with the return flight departing from Isfahan at 05:10, arriving at Doha at 06:25.

Qatar Airways has operated flights to Tehran since 2004 and, with the introduction of the two extra flights, the airline will operate a total of 20 weekly non-stop flights from Doha.

The southern city of Shiraz first welcomed Qatar Airways flights in 2011 and, with the introduction of three extra flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 2 January 2019, will become a daily service operating from Doha. In addition to this, the airline’s Mashad route, which commenced in 2006, also currently operates daily flights from Doha.

Passengers traveling in Business Class on the new twice-weekly service to Isfahan on board the Airbus A320 can look forward to relaxing and enjoying the five-star food and beverage service, which is served ‘dine-on-demand’. In addition to this, the airline’s award-winning in-flight entertainment system, Oryx One, is available to all passengers, offering up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster moves, TV box sets, music, and games.

As the national carrier for the State of Qatar, Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA), to more than 160 destinations worldwide.

The airline was named ‘World’s Best Business Class’ by the 2018 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organization Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Business Class Seat’, ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge’.

As part of its continued expansion plans, Qatar Airways plans to launch an array of exciting new destinations over the coming months, including Mombasa, Kenya; Gothenburg, Sweden and Da Nang, Vietnam.

Flight Schedules

Isfahan Flight Schedule:

(every Monday and Friday from 4 February 2019)

Doha (DOH)-Isfahan (IFN) QR470 Departs: 01:45 Arrives: 04:00

Isfahan (IFN)-Doha (DOH) QR471 Departs: 05:10 Arrives: 06:25

Shiraz Flight Schedule:

(daily from 2 January 2019)

Doha (DOH)-Shiraz (SYZ) QR476 Departs: 01:50 Arrives: 03:35

Shiraz (SYZ)-Doha (DOH) QR477 Departs: 04:45 Arrives: 05:35

Tehran Flight Schedule:

(Daily from 2 January 2019)

Doha (DOH)-Tehran (IKA) QR482 Departs: 08:00 Arrives: 10:40