The nation’s capital is about to get a big boost to international travel, with Qatar Airways confirming the return of daily Doha-Canberra flights from 2 December 2025.
The move makes Canberra the airline’s sixth Australian gateway and is expected to strengthen tourism, business travel and government links with Qatar and the Middle East.
Qatar’s return marks just the second international service out of Canberra Airport, following the commencement of Fiji Airways’ first Canberra-Nadi flights in 2023.
While the announcement is good news for ACT’s international travellers, passengers will still need to fly via Melbourne to connect with the Qatari capital and beyond, making this a direct but not non-stop service.
What to expect
Suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the resumed service will be operated by Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777 aircraft, featuring Qatar Airways’ swish Q-suite in Business Class (which Karryon has reviewed here). At the pointy end of the plane, travellers can look forward to private seating and chef-curated menus, while all passengers can enjoy high-speed Starlink wi-fi throughout the flight.
With Australians known for following their taste buds across Europe, Qatar Airways says food forms a major focus of its onboard experience. From pastries in Paris and tapas in Barcelona to souvlaki in Athens, the carrier aims to ensure passengers’ culinary journeys begin the moment they step onboard.
Sale starts
To mark the relaunch, Qatar Airways has released early-bird specials for travel between 19 January and 31 October 2026, with more than 45 European destinations included.
Popular cities on sale now include Amsterdam, London, Paris, Rome, Athens and Berlin.
Available to book until 31 October 2025, the special fares cover departures from Canberra and other major Australian cities.
Fresh from being crowned “World’s Best Airline” by Skytrax for a record ninth time earlier this year, Qatar Airways also claimed accolades for Best Business Class and Best Business Class Lounge in 2025. It flies to more than 170 destinations.
Economy/Business fares from Australia start from:
- From Perth:
- Economy Class from $1,769 return
- Business Class from $7,599 return
- From Melbourne:
- Economy Class from $1,809 return
- Business Class from $7,759 return
- From Sydney:
- Economy Class from $1,819 return
- Business Class from $8,459 return
- From Brisbane:
- Economy Class from $1,869 return
- Business Class from $7,899 return
- From Adelaide:
- Economy Class from $1,889 return
- Business Class from $8,319 return
- From Canberra:
- Economy Class from $1,809 return
- Business Class from $7,759 return
For more info, visit Qatar Airways’s website.
