Qatar Airways has scheduled eight passenger flights from Doha to London Heathrow on winter Saturdays, seemingly using slots leased from Air Mauritius. It is an increase from what it previously planned but continues what it has had on this day of the week since April 29th this year. (Other winter days will have seven departures except Wednesday, which has six.)

Qatar Airways to Heathrow and wider UK

Until 2023, the carrier had never had as many as eight Heathrow departures on any day of the week, based on analysis of Cirium data. When joint venture partner British Airways is added, there will now be nine daily Heathrow services on Saturdays – a record. No wonder Heathrow is among the world's leading widebody airports.

This is just for Heathrow. When Saturday flights to London Gatwick are included, there will be 11 Doha-London passenger flights – the highest number to date. There are also three services to Manchester, two to Edinburgh, and one to Birmingham, making 17 UK departures that day of the week. When writing, there is no indication if or when Cardiff will return.

Doha to Heathrow: winter Saturdays

The departures are as follows, with all times local. November 4th is used as an example, and BA is included. The flights within a short time (three between 01:50-02:50 and three from 07:15 to 08:50) are driven by big arrival banks of flights in Doha, with vast numbers of passengers connecting to Heathrow.

• 01:50-0625: QR11, A380
• 02:25-07:00: QR107, A350-1000 ← additional this winter
• 02:50-07:20: QR105, A350-1000
• 07:15-11:50: BA122, 777-200ER
• 07:40-12:15: QR3, A380
• 08:50-13:20: QR7, 777-300ER
• 13:00-17:30: QR1, 777-300ER
• 15:20-19:50: QR15, 777-300ER
• 17:30-22:00: QR5, 777-300ER

Heathrow to Doha: winter Saturdays

Notice how the Airbus A350s remain on the ground for many hours. The three departures that leave 14:05-14:55 arrive in the Middle East early the next morning to feed Qatar Airways' largest Asia/Africa-bound bank of departures.

• 08:05-17:55: QR6, 777-300ER
• 08:35-18:25: QR10, A380
• 14:05-00:15+1: BA123, 777-200ER
• 14:15-00:05+1: QR4, A380
• 14:55-00:45+1: QR8, 777-300ER
• 16:00-01:40+1; QR108, A350-1000 ← additional this winter
• 18:55-04:45+1: QR12; 777-300ER
• 20:10-05:50+1: QR106, A350-1000
• 21:20-07:10+1: QR16, 777-300ER

Qatar Airways vs. Emirates vs. Etihad

While Qatar Airways and partner BA have nine Saturday flights from Heathrow, Emirates has seven departures to Dubai (six A380s, one 777-300ER) and Etihad has four to Abu Dhabi (three A380s, one 787-9).

Qatar Airways uses relatively smaller aircraft. If seats per flight are considered, Emirates has an average of 475, Etihad 421, and Qatar Airways/BA 'just' 371 (388 if BA is excluded). It is the frequency-capacity-slots-competitiveness balance. The trio of carriers must feed their banks of ever-growing flights to achieve consistently high loads.

Despite smaller aircraft, Qatar Airways' higher frequencies mean it has 3,339 Heathrow seats for sale on winter Saturdays (each way), very similar to Emirates (3,328). Etihad has 1,684. Qatar Airways seems to prioritize slot possession – growing frequencies, choice, and market share (by flights), but increasing operating costs – rather than bigger equipment to feed the same banks.