Welcome to Oneworld, Qatar Airways!

Welcome to Qatar Airways who joins the Oneworld alliance today! This should be a big improvement on the sole Middle Eastern carrier, Royal Jordanian as it opens up quite a lot of Oneworld routes for many people across Europe, but sadly none for me in Amsterdam! My frustration with Oneworld routes continues!

Don't forget that as a Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald status holder you will be able to use their lounges when flying with any Oneworld airline on the same day, though Ben Schlappig picks up on the policy that you won't be able to use the Premium Passenger Terminal at Doha.

oneworld Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby cardholders departing from Doha on other oneworld member airlines or flying Economy Class on Qatar Airways will be able to receive the privileges and benefits to which they are entitled – access to premium check-in facilities, lounges, etc., as appropriate – at Doha's main passenger terminal.  Facilities at Qatar Airways' Premium Passenger Terminal at its Doha hub will continue to be accessible only by customers holding First Class or Business Class tickets on Qatar Airways. 

Qatar Airways currently operates to the following European airports:

Athens,Barcelona, Belgrade, Berlin-Tegel, Brussels, Budapest, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Geneva, London-Heathrow, Madrid, Manchester,Milan-Malpensa,Moscow-Domodedovo, Munich, Oslo-Gardermoen, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Rome-Fiumicino, Sofia, St. Petersburg, Stockholm-Arlanda, Venice-Marco Polo, Vienna, Warsaw-Chopin, Zagreb, Zürich

Though there are still fuel surcharges applicable to award tickets booked through Avios, which is at €200 for a Madrid to Doha return trip could be worse. Fuel surcharge can be avoided if booking through Qatar's own programme Privilege Club, or even American Airlines AAdvantage programme. (Thanks to reader SRQ for contributing the Privilege Club information!)

British Airways have not yet published their earning chart for flights marketed by Qatar, so I'll give the latest heads up when that arrives.