NEWS & OFFERS: Good time for Qatar Avios flights with LHR increase, AA to improve lounge food and BA improves punctuality
Good time for Qatar Avios redemptions with LHR increase
If you have been struggling to get redemptions from Hweathrow on Qatar, now may be a good time to look again as the airline is adding additional flights to key destinations around the world.
Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Thierry Antinori, said: “Qatar Airways’ vast network of global destinations is complemented with robust flight frequencies for the benefit of our passengers. The new additions further reflect our commitment to fostering worldwide connectivity and elevating passengers’ travel experience with our award-winning hub, Hamad International Airport (DOH) – voted World’s Best Airport and World’s Best Airport Shopping by Skytrax in 2024. At Qatar Airways, we take pride in offering unparalleled services, and with the peak summer season approaching, we are pleased to fulfil the ever-increasing demand for air travel with accessible and convenient flight schedules.”
Amsterdam and Madrid have also been upped so those could also be worth a look if you are still struggling.
Here is the full list of increases:
- Amsterdam – increased from seven weekly flights to 11
- Damascus – increased from three weekly flights to 14
- Dar Es Salaam-Kilimanjaro – increased from three weekly flights to seven
- Entebbe – increased from seven weekly flights to 11
- Larnaca – increased from seven weekly flights to 10
- London Heathrow – increased from 49 weekly flights to 56
- Madrid – increased from 14 weekly flights to 17 (bringing the jointly operated flights between Qatar Airways and Iberia from 21 weekly flights to 24)
- Maputo-Durban – increased from five weekly flights to seven
- Sharjah – increased from 21 weekly flights to 35
- Tokyo Narita – increased from 11 weekly flights to 14
- Tunis – increased from 10 weekly flights to 12
AA to improve lounge and domestic in-flight food
If you have flown on American Airlines and the US and been unlucky enough to visit an Admirals lounge instead of a Flagship, you will be familiar with the rather dull offerings, such as the cubes of cheese and red pepper hummus, which rarely seem to change. Finally, AA is planning to improve its lounge offerings. The new dishes and drinks will roll out at select Admirals Club® lounges on 4 March, be complete by 17 March, and be in flight on 12 March.
Here are the highlights of the changes:
- The national rollout of all-American sliders and fries in flight, available to preorder on short-haul domestic flights following a successful test out of O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago
- Five new breakfast options, from a white cheddar and Monterey Jack omelet to a smothered veggie and cheese frittata
- Regionally inspired breakfast and all-day spreads in Admirals Club® lounges, such as build-your-own tacos in Miami, an Argentina beef empanada in Dallas and edamame shrimp teriyaki in Nashville, Tennessee
- A new range of premium spirits in lounges, along with new mixers and non-alcoholic options
There will also be grab-and-go options, including Darlington Oatmeal Bars, Realsy Peanut Butter Dates, Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Wildway Granola Snack Pack, and Outrageously Good Caramel and Cheese Popcorn by Everybody Eats.
Here are the food offerings available locally:
| Lounge | The breakfast spread | The all-day spread |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, Texas (AUS) | Maple strawberry chia overnight oats | Roasted jalapeno hummus |
| Boston (BOS) | Banana caramel bread pudding | Honey miso shrimp, vegetable yakisoba, crispy onions, hoisin sauce and scallions |
| Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT) | Mixed berry French toast | Sweet and sour pork with pineapple, brown rice and quinoa, toasted sesame seeds, scallions and chili crisp |
| Chicago (ORD) | Mediterranean breakfast egg scramble | Green goddess cabbage feta salad |
| Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) | Cheddar omelet fold with chipotle chimichurri sauce | Argentina beef empanada with roasted red pepper chimichurri |
| Denver (DEN) | Maple strawberry chia overnight oats | Honey mustard pork loin with spring onion and sage |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | Roasted tomato feta breakfast wrap with salsa verde | Orange peel tempura chicken with roasted red pepper and onion |
| Miami (MIA) | Scrambled eggs with parmesan and tomato | Build-your-own tacos with spicy chicken, roasted veggies, soft tortillas and shredded cheddar |
| Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) | Southwest salsa verde breakfast wrap | Edamame shrimp teriyaki with carrots and water chestnuts |
| New York (LGA) | Build-your-own breakfast slider with egg patty and cheddar cheese | Fig and balsamic chicken with caponata brown rice with mozzarella, walnuts, lemon wedges, garlic chips and crumbled blue cheese |
| Philadelphia (PHL) | Raspberry chia pudding | Chickpea edamame salad with mint and lemon |
| Phoenix (PHX) | Turmeric blueberry quinoa salad with cashews | Southwest bean salad |
Onboard food changes
Beginning 12 March, customers flying on domestic routes in premium cabins will get to choose from new breakfast items, including:
- Biscuit and chicken sausage gravy with cheesy scrambled eggs
- White cheddar and Monterey Jack omelet with chicken sausage and seasoned wedge potatoes
- Smothered veggie and cheese frittata with tomato wedges and everything seasoned potatoes
- Swiss and veggie omelet with Italian chicken sausage and seasoned wedge potatoes
- A three-cheese omelet with seasoned wedge potatoes
Customers in premium cabins may also preorder sliders and fries on short-haul domestic flights over 900 miles. During a recent test, customers described the option as “delicious” with the fries having “the perfect crunch.”
In the Admirals Club® lounge bar there will be a fresh assortment of premium spirits and beverages, including Still G.I.N., Casamigos Añejo Tequila, Tequila Ocho Reposado, Kahlua, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur and Horse Soldier Bourbon Whiskey. There will also be a rotating mocktail offering, which features the Peachy Keen this March. Additional options include Carolan’s Irish Cream and Fever-Trees Espresso Martini Mix.
British Airways improves punctuality
Post Covid BA’s punctuality has been pretty poor but they have been on a drive to improve this with senior managers spending time in the terminal to better understand the problem. Unlike with their IT, they do actually seem to be making improvements according to the most recent survey. Obviously it ios quieter over the winter period which makes it easier but it is more likely that there are delays due to weather. In the latest punctuality survey by aviation analytics firm Cirium, for the first time in a long time, a UK airline has made the top 10 most punctual carriers both globally and regionally within Europe.
British Airways ranked fourth in the global table for most punctual airlines, while it ranked sixth within the European ranking. Heathrow Airport also made the top 10 for most on-time large airports, scoring eighth position. Last month, BA saw 86.89% of its flights arrive on-time – up from 78.10% in January 2025 and 70.12% in December 2024 which seems promising. The real proof will be in summer which begins officially at the end of this month.
Here are the full results:
Airline ranking globally
Airports ranking globally
Doha was the most on-time large airport globally last month, with 88.98% of flights arriving on-time, followed by Mexico City and Palma de Mallorca. Heathrow also made the top 10 most punctual large airports, securing eighth position. Oslo, Copenhagen and Vienna were also in the top 10.
