Qatar Airways returns to Qassim, Taif, Tabuk and Yanbu

Qatar Airways is bringing back flights from Doha to four smaller cities in Saudi Arabia this winter: Qassim, Taif, Yanbu and Tabuk. Each route gets two flights a week. Qassim comes first, on October 25, 2026, and Tabuk is last, on January 3, 2027.

For travelers in those cities, it means a one-stop link to the rest of the Qatar Airways network through Hamad International Airport in Doha. Bookings are open on the airline's website and app, according to its September 1, 2026 announcement.

The four routes#

All times below are local, as listed by the airline. Doha and Saudi Arabia share the same time zone, so the clock times line up.

Qassim (ELQ), from October 25, 2026. Flights run on Sundays and Fridays. On Sundays, QR1194 leaves Doha at 8:15 a.m. and lands at 10:00 a.m. The return, QR1195, leaves Qassim at 11:05 a.m. and reaches Doha at 12:40 p.m. The Friday flights start on October 30 and run 50 minutes later: 9:05 a.m. out of Doha and 11:50 a.m. out of Qassim.

Taif (TIF), from October 31, 2026. Flights run on Wednesdays and Saturdays. QR1206 leaves Doha at 7:35 a.m. and lands at 10:00 a.m. QR1207 leaves Taif at 11:00 a.m. and reaches Doha at 1:10 p.m.

Yanbu (YNB), from January 2, 2027. Flights run on Wednesdays and Saturdays. QR1216 leaves Doha at 7:30 a.m. and lands at 10:15 a.m. QR1217 leaves Yanbu at 11:20 a.m. and reaches Doha at 1:35 p.m.

Tabuk (TUU), from January 3, 2027. Flights run on Thursdays and Sundays. QR1220 leaves Doha at 7:25 a.m. and lands at 10:20 a.m. QR1221 leaves Tabuk at 11:20 a.m. and reaches Doha at 1:45 p.m.

Every route follows the same pattern: a morning flight out of Doha that turns around and comes straight back. That puts travelers from Saudi Arabia into Doha in the early afternoon, ready for onward flights.

What plane, and which cabins#

The airline does not say which aircraft will fly these four routes, and it does not list the cabins on board. I'd check the seat map when you book.

The release does say that Starlink Wi-Fi is on eligible flights to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, which are often flown by widebody jets with Starlink. It makes no such claim for Qassim, Taif, Yanbu or Tabuk. Qatar Airways has free Starlink Wi-Fi on 150 widebody jets so far, but has not said its single-aisle jets will get it.

Lounges at the Saudi end#

Lounge Frog has no lounges listed at Qassim, Taif, Yanbu or Tabuk. The release does not mention a lounge for Qatar Airways passengers at any of the four airports either. If you are flying business class or hold oneworld status, ask at check-in whether the airport offers a lounge, but plan to wait at the gate.

Lounges in Doha#

The lounge experience on these trips happens in Doha. Business class passengers, and oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members flying with Qatar Airways, can use the Al Mourjan Business Lounge (The Garden) or the Al Mourjan Business Lounge (South). Both are among the best-rated lounges in our directory, with full bars and plenty of showers.

First class passengers on longer onward flights can use the Al Safwa First Lounge. Economy travelers with DragonPass or LoungeKey can try the Oryx Lounge (South) or the Oryx Lounge (North).

The bigger Saudi picture#

These four cities are part of a larger push into Saudi Arabia. Qatar Airways says it expects to fly more than 155 weekly flights to the kingdom this winter, over 10% more than in the summer. It carried more than 2.3 million passengers to and from Saudi Arabia in the past 12 months, the airline says.

Riyadh grew from 35 to 49 weekly flights in June 2026. Service to NEOM is due to return in the second half of 2027.

For more on where the airline is adding flights this season, see our story on Qatar Airways' winter 2026 network.

Related reading#

• The 5 best Qatar Airways lounges, ranked: 2026
• Qatar Airways' first US lounge slips to 2027 with JFK's New Terminal One. Where Qatar flyers go until then
• Qatar Airways is back in Philadelphia: Qsuite and where to wait

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