Mideast airlinesset IAH, LAX routes

Two leading international carriers from the Middle East have announced plans for new U.S. gateways. Qatar Airways has set November 10 as the launch date for its new non-stop service between Doha, Qatar and Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport, while Emirates will begin new Los Angeles-Dubai non-stops effective September 1. Qatar Airways will use a 777-200LR, initially flying the Houston route three times a week and increasing to daily frequencies in December. Last summer, Qatar Airways started its first U.S. service with routes to Newark and Washington Dulles. Emirates will also use a 777-200LR on its new LAX-Dubai route, which will be offered seven days a week. Emirates already operates daily service from Dubai to Houston and twice-daily flights between Dubai and New York JFK. On October 1, Emirates plans to put the new Airbus A380 super-jumbo into service on the Dubai-New York route.