Qatar Airways has placed its QR code on 18 additional transatlantic routes operated by Aer Lingus (via Dublin) and LEVEL (via Barcelona), the airline confirmed in a 2-Oct-2025 press release. The move gives Qatar’s customers expanded access to new U.S. city pairs, including Boston, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Nashville, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia and Washington Dulles, and to a selection of South American gateways via Barcelona. AviationA2Z first flagged the story; Qatar Airways’ newsroom provides the authoritative route list and details.
The codeshare expansion leverages Qatar’s partnership with International Airlines Group (IAG) members to broaden connectivity from Doha without operating additional U.S. services itself. Qatar’s Chief Commercial Officers framed the change as improved choice for customers and better feeder traffic into Hamad International Airport (DOH) for long-haul onward connections.
What the codeshare covers
- Via Dublin (Aer Lingus): Qatar now places its code on Aer Lingus services from Dublin to 11 U.S. cities including Boston, Bradley (Hartford), Cleveland, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Nashville, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, Washington Dulles, Las Vegas will be added soon, the airline said.
- Via Barcelona (LEVEL): Qatar adds QR to LEVEL services connecting Barcelona with U.S. gateways such as Los Angeles, Miami, New York and San Francisco; the Barcelona feed also enhances South American access (e.g., Buenos Aires, Santiago planned).
(For the full city list see Qatar Airways’ official newsroom announcement.)
Why this matters
- Network effect without new aircraft: Codesharing is a low-capex way to expand market reach. Qatar can sell itineraries to more U.S. destinations and feed traffic through Doha via partner networks, improving connectivity for customers without adding its own U.S. flights.
- Stronger transatlantic feed: Dublin and Barcelona act as European feeders. Dublin strengthens access to North-eastern and mid-western U.S. cities via Aer Lingus, while Barcelona links to west-coast U.S. cities and South America via LEVEL. That broadens Doha’s catchment for transfer passengers.
- Commercial & loyalty benefits: Qatar’s Privilege Club members will gain redemption and accrual options across more routes; corporate and leisure travellers gain simpler connections to secondary U.S. markets.
Caveats & regulatory notes
- Codeshare vs. services: A QR code on a ticket does not mean Qatar operates the flight; it means Qatar sells seats on partner flights. Travelers should check which carrier operates a given sector and confirm baggage, lounge and check-in policies.
- Market access & antitrust: Codeshare expansions usually require interline and commercial agreements and occasionally regulatory approvals (depending on the markets and competition authorities). The IAG–Qatar commercial alignments have been subject to scrutiny in other jurisdictions (e.g., Australia), so further regulatory notices could appear for certain city pairs.
Timeline & quick bullets
- 2 Oct 2025: Qatar Airways issues press release announcing QR code placement on 18 Aer Lingus/LEVEL routes.
- Immediate: Tickets with QR code availability will appear in booking systems as partner seats; schedule and ticketing availability may vary by city.
- Next: Watch for booking integrations, expanded frequent-flyer earning rules and any regulator statements in key markets.
What’s Next? Industry outlook
- Passengers: Expect more one-stop itineraries via Doha to Asia, Africa and the Middle East that originate in secondary U.S. cities now accessible via Aer Lingus and LEVEL.
- Competitors: Other Gulf carriers (Emirates, Etihad) may respond with commercial tie-ups or frequency adjustments to protect transfer traffic.
- Regulatory watch: Antitrust and competition authorities may review effects on specific markets; airlines and booking systems will publish technical integrations over coming weeks.
Primary source
- Qatar Airways Press Release, Qatar Airways Expands Connectivity to the United States and South America with Aer Lingus and LEVEL, 2 Oct 2025.
- AviationA2Z, “Qatar Airways Adds 16 New Routes to US”, 2 Oct 2025 (aggregated report; flagged for undercount).
- Aviation Week, Qatar Airways adds code to IAG transatlantic routes, Oct 2025.
- Business Travel News, coverage of the codeshare expansion and route list.
