Qatar Airways is to be the first of the Gulf carriers to join a global airline alliance – oneworld.
It is a major coup for the oneworld alliance, whose members are led by American Airlines and British Airways, reports the Financial Times.
Previously western airlines have been threatened by the rapidly expanding Gulf airlines.
Last month, Dubai-based Emirates announced a partnership with Qantas, the Australian carrier that is also a member of oneworld.
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad is also in talks with Air France-KLM about a possible code-sharing deal.
Doha-based airline, Qatar Airways, has been in discussions for several months about joining oneworld. An announcement is expected next Monday.
Qatar Airways, established in 1994, has a fleet of 111 aircraft, with more than 200 jets on order.
