Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Qatar Airways (QR) have announced a strategic partnership, set to enhance travel options between the Philippines, Qatar, and beyond. This collaboration marks a key expansion for the Philippine flag carrier.
Starting June 16, 2025, PAL will operate daily nonstop flights connecting Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) and Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH). As part of the initial phase, Qatar Airways will place its code on these PAL-operated flights, expanding options for QR customers.
The new daily service, flight PR-684, will depart Manila at 18:50 local time, arriving in Doha at 23:40 local time. This schedule provides excellent connectivity for passengers heading onwards via Qatar Airways’ extensive network of over 170 destinations across Africa, the Americas, Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, facilitated through the Hamad International Airport.
For eastbound travelers, PAL flight PR-685 will depart Doha daily at 01:30 local time, arriving conveniently in Manila at 16:15 local time. This timing allows smooth connections for passengers arriving in Doha on Qatar Airways flights from various points globally.
Captain Stanley K. Ng, President and COO of Philippine Airlines, highlighted the benefits: “Our decision to offer daily frequency to Doha is enabled by our exciting strategic partnership with Qatar Airways and will help us stimulate tourism, trade flows and business growth… Our vital Overseas Filipino Workers and their families will also greatly benefit.”
Mr. Thierry Antinori, Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, echoed this sentiment, stating the partnership aims to “strengthen connectivity across the world” and “deepen the socio-economic ties between the Qatari and Filipino communities.” Both airlines indicated plans to explore further collaboration, including potential frequent flyer program cooperation.
Philippine Airlines will utilize its Airbus A330-300 aircraft for the route. These jets feature a two-class configuration with 18 flat-bed seats in Business Class and 341 seats in Economy Class.
At present, the Filipino flag carrier flies to Doha five times a week, while Qatar Airways flies thrice daily on the same route.
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