Malaysia Airlines Doubles Doha Flights As Part Of Qatar

Kuala Lumpur service from #Malaysia Airlines to #Doha didn't start until May of this year as a result of the two airlines' growing strategic alliance, which has evolved to "exploit each other's network strengths." Even though it is not yet bookable and is only planned through the conclusion of the Northern Hemisphere summer season, it is already rising to twice daily.

According to the most recent schedule upload made accessible via OAG, Malaysia Airlines intends to double the number of daily flights it currently operates to Doha between August 1 and October 29. It is a direct result of the strengthening ties with Qatar Airways, a fellow Oneworld member.

As a result of this cooperation, the national airline of Malaysia and Qatar Airways will codeshare to 62 destinations over Doha, and customers of Qatar Airways will be able to transit to 34 locations via Kuala Lumpur. As a result of the agreement, Qatar Airways now offers significantly fewer flights on the Kuala Lumpur route than it did previously (it had up to four flights per day on its own aircraft).

The updated schedule is listed below, with timings in local time. The second flight operated by Malaysia Airlines is MH164/MH165, as indicated. For context, I've included Qatar Airways' service. Together, the two cover the main flight waves at Doha and Kuala Lumpur, enhancing connectivity.

Doha to Kuala Lumpur: QR853, twice daily, #b777-300ER, from 02:45 to 05:25

Doha to Kuala Lumpur: MH164, 1x daily, 02:55-05:15; not bookable when writing

Doha to Kuala Lumpur: MH160, 21:20–23:50; once daily, A330–300

Kuala Lumpur to Doha: MH161, 1x daily, A330-300, 01:50–14:40

Doha to Kuala Lumpur: MH165, 8:05–20:55; once daily, A330-300; not bookable at the time of writing

QR844, 20:35-09:25+1; once daily, B777-300ER from Doha to Kuala Lumpur

Due to a cooperation with Malaysia Airlines, there will be three round-trip flights every day from Doha to Kuala Lumpur. This time, Qatar Airways will run just one daily flight as opposed to all of them. Vincenzo Pace.

As you can see, with less of its own exposure, Qatar Airways gains significant access to Kuala Lumpur. In fact, the airline, which has operated flights to Malaysia for over 20 years, offered three flights every day in 2019. The number was the same as Emirates from Dubai, a close neighbour.

But between 2015 and 2018, Qatar Airways operated four flights per day to Kuala Lumpur on 70 occasions. June, July, and August saw them in action. Unsurprisingly, Emirates offered four flights every day from Dubai, albeit at various times and throughout the year.

Qatar's fourth flight in 2018 departed Doha at 18:25 in addition to its 19:30 departure. At a busy period, it meant having greater capacity to transport passengers to Malaysia from the wider Middle East, Europe, and North America. At busiest times, it served as a capacity relief service. Now that it is being serviced by QR844, which departs at 20:35, the timetable is less competitive from many locations and transit time is longer.