Qatar Airways rang in the New Year with a new daily, non-stop service between Los Angeles International Airport and Hamad International Airport Doha, which started on 1 January, 2016.

The new route features the airline’s landmark Boeing 777-200LR and represents Qatar Airways' first passenger service to the West Coast of the United States.

The expansion to LAX is the first of three new US destinations planned for 2016, along with Boston (BOS) on March 16th and Atlanta (ATL) on June 1st.

The first arrival to Los Angeles was recognised with a special gate ceremony, celebrating the passengers on the historic flight. The airline will officially celebrate the new Los Angeles route on January 12th, when Mr. Al Baker will host a press conference and a star-studded VIP gala.

The LAX launch comes as Qatar Airways continues to expand operations in the United States and around the world.

In addition to new launches in Boston and Atlanta, the airline is enhancing existing services along its successful US routes. On December 8th, Qatar Airways brought the state-of-the-art Airbus A350 to American shores for the first time.

The airline commenced a regularly-scheduled daily A350 service on January 1st to Philadelphia, and Qatar Airways will also begin a A350 service along a second route between New York and Doha in April.