Qatar’s national carrier has added its first new US route of 2016 this week, launching a daily non-stop route from Doha to Los Angeles on Jan. 1.

The 16.5 hour-long flight, which is on the Boeing 777, leaves Doha at 7:50am and arrives at Los Angeles International Airport at 1:10pm, California time.

Qatar Airways will also begin non-stop flights from Doha to Boston this year in March, and from Doha to Atlanta in July.

That will bring the total number of US routes to 10.

Last month, CEO Akbar Al Baker told American media that Qatar Airways is also considering flying to two other US cities, but declined to name them.

War of words

The expansion comes as the airline continues to engage in a war of words with American carriers who accuse Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad of receiving government subsidies and other unfair forms of state support.

Earlier this year, American Airlines, Delta and United Airlines argued that this violates the spirit of the Open Skies Agreement that the US has signed with dozens of countries, including Qatar and the UAE.

That deal allows airlines – rather than government regulators – to determine the frequency and capacity of flights.

The US government continues to investigate those claims.

Meanwhile, Qatar Airways has also announced plans to fly two new routes to Australia – Sydney in March and Adelaide in May this year.

A direct Doha-Birmingham, UK route is also planned for March.

Thoughts?