Malaysia Airlines Adds Third Daily Doha Flight Amid Qatar Partnership
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Malaysia Airlines will add a third daily flight to Doha starting June 30, 2026, deepening its strategic partnership with fellow oneworld member Qatar Airways.
Key Takeaways
- •Increases Kuala Lumpur-Doha service to 21 weekly flights starting June 30, 2026.
- •Adds approximately 2,000 seats per week using an Airbus A330-300 aircraft.
- •Deepens strategic oneworld partnership with Qatar Airways, offering over 120 codeshare destinations.
- •Reinforces KUL and DOH as key hubs for travel between Asia, the Middle East, and the West.
Malaysia Airlines (MH) is set to increase its service between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and Doha's Hamad International Airport (DOH) to three times daily, a move that underscores the growing success of its strategic partnership with Qatar Airways (QR). The new frequency is scheduled to commence on June 30, 2026, bringing the total number of weekly flights on the route to 21.
This expansion significantly enhances capacity and connectivity between the two major hubs. According to data from Cirium aviation analytics, the additional service adds approximately 2,000 seats per week in each direction. The new flight will be operated by an Airbus A330-300 aircraft, complementing the airline's existing daily services to Doha, which utilize an Airbus A350-900 and another A330-300.
Deepening a Strategic Alliance
The increased frequency is a direct outcome of the deepened commercial cooperation between Malaysia Airlines and Qatar Airways, both prominent members of the oneworld Alliance. While the carriers first established a codeshare agreement in 2004, the relationship was substantially elevated through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2022. This agreement paved the way for a more integrated partnership aimed at leveraging each other's network strengths.
Malaysia Airlines joined the oneworld alliance in February 2013, followed by Qatar Airways in October of the same year. Their collaboration now provides passengers access to a combined network of over 120 codeshare destinations.
In an official statement, Bryan Foong, Chief Executive Officer of Airline Business from Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), highlighted the route's performance. “The introduction of our third daily service to Doha underscores the strong performance of this route and the strategic importance of our partnership with Qatar Airways,” Foong said. “By expanding capacity, we are enhancing access to Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Americas via Hamad International Airport, while leveraging our growing Australian network to support more seamless east–west travel.”
Industry Impact and Network Strategy
The expansion reflects a broader industry trend of strengthening travel corridors between Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The KUL-DOH route serves as a critical artery for passengers traveling between Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. By adding a third daily flight, the partner airlines are solidifying their competitive position and offering travelers greater flexibility and reduced connection times.
The partnership's core strategy involves developing Kuala Lumpur as a leading aviation hub for the Southeast Asian region. It aims to connect traffic from markets such as Australia, New Zealand, and Vietnam through KUL and onward to the extensive Qatar Airways network via DOH. This dual-hub strategy allows both airlines to maximize network efficiency and offer a more comprehensive global product.
The collaboration extends beyond passenger services. Malaysia Airlines and Qatar Airways, along with International Airlines Group (IAG), are reportedly planning a cargo joint venture. This initiative, targeted for a late 2025 launch, aims to create an expansive global freight network, signaling a deep and multifaceted strategic alignment among the oneworld partners.
Why This Matters
This development marks a significant step in the evolution of airline partnerships within global alliances. Moving beyond traditional codeshares, the integrated strategy between Malaysia Airlines and Qatar Airways demonstrates how carriers can leverage complementary networks to build a powerful, unified market presence. The increase to a thrice-daily service effectively creates an air bridge between two key hubs, intensifying competition for connecting traffic in both the Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern markets. For passengers, it translates into enhanced scheduling flexibility, greater access to a vast global network, and more streamlined travel experiences between the Eastern and Western hemispheres.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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