• 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

Qatar Airways has teamed up with flydubai, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, and Saudia to offer Match Day Shuttle flights for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The services, which will be operated throughout the tournament, will offer fans the option of a convenient day trip to Doha to watch their teams play.

Fans traveling on a Match Day Shuttle service will arrive in Doha in the morning and depart in the evening. With no hotel accommodation necessary, this is a cost-effective way to attend a match.

Qatar Airways Doha
Qatar is getting ready to prepare for the 2022 World Cup. Photo: Qatar Airways via Flickr

Match Day Shuttle flights will be available from Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Muscat, and Riyadh. Flights will operate to and from Doha’s well-known Hamad International Airport, which was recently recognized by Skytrax as the Best Airport in the World 2021.

The flights will be cabin baggage-only, making for a quick and easy experience for passengers. Once in Doha, passengers will benefit from dedicated connections between the airport and the stadiums, and will also have time to do some sightseeing in the city.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, commented,

“Connecting fans and a shared love for football are at the heart of this game-changing partnership. The landscape of this tournament gives us the opportunity to spread the business with various regional airlines.

Our combined bandwidth with flydubai, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air and Saudia will create travel flexibility that will bridge cultures and give fans the chance to explore multiple places in the Middle East.”

flydubai Boeing 737 MAX
Photo: Boeing

The Match Day Shuttle schedule

Flight schedules have yet to be released, however, Qatar Airways has announced that subject to government approvals, the following number of flights will be offered:

  • flydubai – 30 daily return flights to/from Dubai
  • Kuwait Airways – 10 daily return flights to/from Kuwait City
  • Oman Air – 24 daily return flights to/from Muscat
  • Saudia – 20 daily return flights to/from Riyadh and Jeddah

According to Qatar Airways, Match Day Shuttle services will soon be available for booking on the airline’s website.

Qatar Match Day Shuttle (1)
A press conference was held on May 29th to announce the agreement between Qatar Airways and flydubai, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, and Saudia. Photo: Qatar Airways

Formalizing the partnership

The agreement was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at a press conference in Doha on May 29th. Representatives of Qatar Airways and the four partner airlines were in attendance.

Chief executive office of flydubai, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said,

“We are very pleased to be part of this game-changing partnership with Qatar Airways. Having recently hosted a global event in Dubai, we know first-hand the positive impact such events have not only on the travel and hospitality sectors, but also on the wider economy and the overall morale.

Match Day Shuttle services provided by Qatar Airways in partnership with flydubai, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, and Saudia, will undoubtedly prove popular with football fans in the region looking for a quick and convenient way to watch their teams play.

Will you be visiting Qatar during the FIFA World Cup 2022? Share your travel plans by commenting below.

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