Qatar Airways Adjusts London Flight Schedule: A Deep Dive into Heathrow & Gatwick Changes
Each week, airlines refine their schedules, submitting updates to data providers like Cirium Diio and OAG. Recent disclosures from Qatar Airways reveal several network adjustments, including suspensions to Aleppo and reduced services to key destinations like London, Manchester, Peshawar, San Francisco, Sialkot, and Venice. This article focuses specifically on the changes impacting Qatar Airways’ London operations.
It’s important to note that British Airways, a fellow oneworld member and close partner, effectively handles Doha services on behalf of Qatar Airways. Currently, no changes are anticipated for British Airways’ Doha offerings, as the route doesn’t rank among its ten longest.
Impact on Heathrow and Gatwick Services
Qatar Airways serves both Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport. Prior to the latest schedule update, the airline had planned 951 departures to London between April and June. However, the current plan reflects 818 outbound flights – a significant 14% reduction. Further reductions are planned for London services between July and October, though these are less substantial, at around 3-5%.
Weekly Departures: A Closer Look (Week Starting May 1st)
Airline offerings can fluctuate weekly. Let’s examine the schedule for the week commencing May 1st. Qatar Airways now operates 59 weekly departures to London, down from the previously planned 70.
- Gatwick: Maintains 11 weekly departures, a reduction from an originally planned double-daily service, but consistent through September.
- Heathrow: Now features 48 weekly departures, down from 59 – a nearly 20% decrease. It is anticipated that Qatar Airways will return slots to British Airways. This represents a loss of 11 weekly flights, equivalent to one or two daily services.
Detailed Flight Schedule (May 1-7)
Here’s a breakdown of the revised flight schedule for the week of May 1st – 7th. Please note that schedules are subject to change.
| Route | Frequency | Local Time* | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doha-London (Heathrow) | Daily | 1:10 am-6:25 am | A380 |
| London-Doha (Heathrow) | Five weekly | 8:05 am-4:50 pm | A380/A350-900 |
| Doha-London (Heathrow) | Three weekly | 1:15 am-6:30 am | A350-900 |
| London-Doha (Heathrow) | Five weekly | 8:25 am-5:10 pm | A380 |
| Doha-London (Gatwick) | Daily | 1:35 am-6:40 am | 787-9 |
| London-Doha (Gatwick) | Daily | 9:00 am-5:45 pm | A350-1000 |
*The latest plan, which is subject to change.
Connecting Passengers and Key Routes
According to booking data spanning 12 months to November 2025, over 1.6 million passengers traveling with Qatar Airways connected through Doha on their way to or from London. This equates to over 4,300 passengers daily. The most popular connecting routes include India, Pakistan, Australia, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia.
Specifically, from Gatwick, top destinations include Colombo, Bangkok, Melbourne, Phuket, and Lahore. From Heathrow, popular connections are Kathmandu, Colombo, Bangkok, Islamabad, and Lahore. Interestingly, Wizz Air, an ultra-low-cost carrier, also serves the Gatwick-Jeddah (and Medinah) route with its A321XLR aircraft.
Source: Simple Flying
