Qatar Airways commenced Boeing 737 MAX operations in mid-May 2023. The airline now has four examples of the narrowbody airframe, and five more MAX 8s on the way. Despite some airlines choosing to operate the 737 MAX on flights as long as eight hours, Qatar Airways has been deploying the type on some fairly short services out of its Doha Hamad hub.

Just three destinations from Doha

Based out of the airline's hub at Doha Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways is deploying its 176-seat Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to just three destinations: Abu Dhabi (AUH), Kuwait City (KWI), and Sharjah (SHJ).

Route map of 737 MAX flights from Doha
Photo: GCMap.com

But what the carrier lacks in terms of route diversity for its modest 737 MAX fleet, it makes up in frequency. Indeed, according to FlightRadar24.com, the upcoming week's operations show that the Boeing narrowbody is flying back and forth to these three cities quite often.

  • The type exclusively flies all Qatar Airways services between Doha and Abu Dhabi: Five flights per day, seven days per week.
  • Flights to Sharjah are almost as frequent, as the 737 MAX is deployed two to three times per day on this route. As the airline has four flights per day to Sharjah, the remaining one or two services are operated by the Airbus A320-200.
  • Finally, of the five to six daily flights to Kuwait City, Qatar Airways deploys the MAX one to two times per day. Remaining services are a diverse mix of aircraft, including the A320-200, but also the A350-900, A350-1000, A330-300, and 777-300ER.

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Acknowledging the 737 MAX 8s

Interestingly, Qatar Airways has still yet to update its fleet page to include the 737 MAX. However, on May 9th, the carrier issued a media statement discussing the type's entry into service. On this topic, the airline says that it "recently had the opportunity to add a small number of Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft to its fleet." The airline goes on to say,

"The utilization of the Boeing 737-8s will add capacity to help drive future growth, especially in short haul markets, which will be expanded from the Doha-Kuwait-Doha route to other nations, principally in the GCC as further approvals take place. As a rapidly growing airline, these efficient and modern aircraft are a welcome addition to the narrow body fleet to support our sustainable expansion plans as the world’s leading airline."

With Qatar Airways now having four 737 MAX 8s in its fleet, it will be expecting to receive another five aircraft by the end of July.

computer rendering of a boeing 737 max 10 flying from doha
Photo: Qatar Airways

However, the carrier's 737 collection won't stop there as it still has outstanding orders for 25 737 MAX 10s. These were ordered at the Farnborough Airshow in 2022.

The airline highlights that the 737 MAX 8s feature its Oryx One Play Wireless Inflight Entertainment, rather than the Individual IFE screens installed on the MAX 10. "Whilst the Boeing 737-8 will operate on shorter sectors, these are not expected to be exclusively operated with this aircraft and will flexibly utilize the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 depending on demand and capacity."

Have you had the chance to fly on a 737 MAX operated by Qatar Airways yet? Share your experiences by leaving a comment!

Sources: Planespotters.net, FlightRadar24.com, ch-aviation.com

  • Qatar Airways Airbus A350-1041A7-ANN
    Qatar Airways
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    QR/QTR
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Doha Hamad International Airport
    Year Founded:
    1993
    Alliance:
    oneworld
    CEO:
    Akbar Al Baker
    Country:
    Qatar