Go Philly! I am not one to be shy about the pride I have for my hometown. So I couldn’t have been more excited when it was announced Philadelphia would become Qatar Airways fifth U.S. city. The airline will kick off non-stop service from Philadelphia (PHL) to Doha (DOH) March 2014.

Qatar will become the fourth international airline, along with Air Canada, Lufthansa and British Airways, to offer direct routes to Philadelphia. Though I would like to believe it is our strong international business market that attracted the carrier, and while I am sure that is part of it, there were also more strategic factors at play. Qatar is slated to join oneworld in October of this year. US Airways, which is now a member of Star Alliance, has said it, too, will join oneworld as a result of its merger with American Airlines. As Philadelphia is a major hub for US Airways, Qatar will be able to offer its passengers direct connections to over 100 U.S. cities.

Whatever the reason, as an international traveler living in the Philadelphia area I couldn’t be more delighted to hear of this new option. And by March 2014, travelers will arrive in Doha and experience the new Hamad International Airport opening this year.

Having flown Qatar business class last year, I am eager to experience it again. And this time with a much shorter commute.  

— Danielle Hudena, executive vice president