It was an exciting moment watching Qatar Airways Flight 727 arrive at Philadelphia International Airport on Wednesday morning, and as a native of the greater Philadelphia area, I was thrilled to watch it happen. I was shocked to learn that Qatar Airways is the first foreign carrier to launch service to/from PHL in more than a decade. Philadelphia is the birthplace of the United States, and as such, I think it should be a much larger gateway for international visitors.

Philadelphia becomes Qatar’s fifth U.S. destination, following Chicago; New York; Houston; and Washington, D.C. Miami will be added in June, and Dallas in July. The daily flight features 42 business-class seats and 293 in economy class. The new route launches in tandem with the American Airlines/US Airways merger. As a US Airways hub, PHL adds Qatar’s new service as part of a transition from a Star Alliance airport to a oneworld airport, as it becomes a hub for the world’s biggest airline (once the merger is complete). 

During a press conference following the inaugural landing, His Excellency Akbar al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways; Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter; and Mark Gale, CEO, Philadelphia International Airport, offered some perspective into why the carrier chose the City of Brotherly Love. The flight is estimated to bring 27,000 new tourists to the city and an additional $95 million in spending. The first flight arrived with a 90 percent load factor, and it is predicted 40 percent of passengers will stay in Philadelphia and 60 percent will transit throughout the United States.

Great things to come at Philadelphia International Airport and for Qatar Airways!

— Kim Krol, managing editor