Etihad Airways explores new horizons with the launch of its newest destination - Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia

In a move to broaden its network and enhance connectivity within the Middle East, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has just announced the addition of Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia, to its growing list of destinations, increasing its total number of Saudi gateways to four.

The airline is set to expand its footprint by launching flights to one of Saudia Arabia’s most captivating regions. Beginning 24 June 2024, Etihad will link Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport directly with Al Qassim’s Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (ELQ) with four weekly flights.

Reflecting on the new service, Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said: "Launching the new service to Al Qassim this year is not just about introducing a new destination; it's also a celebration of Etihad’s 20 years of connecting Abu Dhabi with the rich culture and economic opportunities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

“This move is aligned with our mission to deliver extraordinary experiences and the opportunity to explore the unique allure of both Abu Dhabi and our new destinations, like Al Qassim. We're proud to expand our services within the Kingdom and look forward to welcoming passengers to experience our renowned hospitality and service."

“Furthermore, the exceptional experience awaiting them at Zayed International Airport – Terminal A, our new home, redefines the benchmarks for travel comfort and service excellence, ensuring a memorable journey from start to finish.”

Al Qassim celebrated for its lush date palm groves, rich cultural heritage, and lively markets, offers a perfect blend of traditional Saudi culture and contemporary attractions. This new route is designed to meet the demands of both business travelers seeking new ventures and tourists desiring an authentic exploration of Saudi Arabia’s historical and cultural wealth.

Flight Number	Origin	Departure	Destination	Arrival	Aircraft	Frequency
EY  0627	AUH	08:00	ELQ	09:10	A320	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat
EY  0628	ELQ	10:15	AUH	13:20	A320	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat

 

And there’s more

Starting 15 June, Etihad is increasing its service frequency to a number of key destinations, and also starting flights to Antalya and Jaipur which were announced in February. 

The weekly flights to Thiruvananthapuram and Amman will be increased by three, totalling 10 and 14 respectively. Additional services include three more flights to Cairo for a total of 24, Karachi increasing to 17, and Colombo to 20 weekly flights.

The latest expansion contributes to an overall 33 per cent increase in Etihad’s total weekly flights, growing from 642 last summer to 855 in 2024, and extends Etihad's reach from 65 to 76 destinations, significantly enhancing worldwide connectivity.

The updated schedule and the new routes have been developed to optimise the travel experience for passengers, who will benefit from greater connectivity and a broader range of travel options, alongside the opportunity to experience the sophisticated amenities and customer-focused services provided at the newly inaugurated Terminal A at Zayed International Airport Abu Dhabi.

New Destinations (Timings from 15 June 2024, all timings local)

Flight Number	Origin	Departure	Destination	Arrival	Aircraft	Frequency
EY  0539	AUH	09:20	AYT	13:00	A320	Tue, Thu, Sat
EY  0540	AYT	14:20	AUH	19:35	A320	Tue, Thu, Sat

(Timings from 16 June 2024, all timings local)

Flight Number	Origin	Departure	Destination	Arrival	Aircraft	Frequency
EY  0366	AUH	03:05	JAI	08:05	A320	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun
EY  0367	JAI	11:00	AUH	13:00	A320	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun

 

­Frequency Increases 

Destination	Change	Total Frequency	Start Date
Thiruvananthapuram	+3	10	15 June 2024
Amman	+3	14	15 June 2024
Cairo	+3	24	15 June 2024
Karachi	+3	17	15 June 2024
Colombo	+3	20	15 June 2024

 

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Etihad Airways celebrates two decades of flights between London and Abu Dhabi.

      Etihad Airways – the national carrier of the UAE – is today celebrating two decades of flights between London and Abu Dhabi. 

The airline’s first service to Heathrow Airport using an Airbus A340 landed on 28 March 2004, heralding the start of thrice-weekly flights between London and Abu Dhabi and establishing a highly sought-after route renowned for its excellence. 

Etihad now operates four daily flights between London and Abu Dhabi using a combination of Airbus A380s, which feature the legendary The Residence suite in the sky, and state-of-the-art Boeing 787s.  

Eligible guests can also use the luxurious Etihad lounge at Heathrow’s Terminal 4, which offers a sumptuous start for their flights and interiors inspired by the carrier’s Abu Dhabi home. Guests can enjoy specially curated menus along with quick and convenient boarding for departing flights. 

Jeremy Pollock, Etihad Airways Country Manager UK and Ireland, said: “Introducing flights from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi was a key part of the airline’s strategy following the carrier’s launch in 2003. 

“To celebrate 20 years since our inaugural flight is a fantastic achievement for everyone connected with Etihad Airways – especially our dedicated workforce across the UK and Ireland.  

“Etihad now operates four daily flights from London, highlighting the strong demand among UK-based customers to explore Abu Dhabi and the Middle East following a flight travelling in style and comfort, looked after by our excellent, award-winning cabin crew.” 

Henry Naya, Etihad Airways Airport Manager London Heathrow, joined Etihad just before flights to London began. He recalls the excitement surrounding the airline's first flight into Heathrow. It touched down at Etihad’s former home in Heathrow’s Terminal 3, with the founder Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan and a range of dignitaries on board to celebrate the start of the new route. 

Manchester City and Etihad Airways announce launch of community football projects across India

Manchester City and global partner Etihad Airways are flying towards a better future for young people in India, with the announcement of a brand-new community football initiative in cities across the country.

The joint initiative will see Manchester City work in collaboration with Etihad Airways, Club charity City in the Community and non-governmental partner organisation (NGO) Magic Bus India Foundation, to deliver health and life skills training for local young people through football.

Manchester City and Etihad Airways are launching a new community football initiative in April in Bangalore, Kolkata and New Delhi with more cities to follow.

Supported by Etihad, the initiative will use football to uplift the health and life skills of local young people

The project will launch this April in three cities from the airline’s network: New Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore, with more locations to follow.

This marks the latest in a series of impactful community collaborations between Manchester City and Etihad since the launch of the Official Partnership between the two organisations in 2009, including global and regional summits in Manchester and Abu Dhabi, which upskill young leaders in community football coaching and leadership.

More than 1.4 million people travelled with Etihad Airways in February

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has published its preliminary traffic statistics for February 2024, during which over 1.4 million passengers travelled with the carrier.

The airline reports its load factor was around 89 % for the month, up a percent from last year whilst the carriers fleet has risen to 89 operational aircraft.

“In February 2024 we saw a 46 per cent year-on-year growth in customer numbers as we continue our growth strategy,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways. “Our year-to-date (YTD) passenger figures at 2.9 million are 40 per cent higher than at YTD February 2023.

“February was a busy month; we strengthened our fleet, welcoming three new 787-9s, a move which is aligned to our network expansion strategy of adding new destinations and expanding frequencies into key markets.

We also announced two additional new routes which will begin this year: to Antalya, Turkey and Jaipur, India, the latter representing our eleventh non-stop connection between Abu Dhabi and the Indian Subcontinent."

	Feb-23	Feb-24	2023 YTD	2024 YTD
Passengers	1.0 million	1.4 million	2.0 million	2.9 million
Passenger load factor	88%	89%	88%	87%
Operating fleet size	74	89	74	89
Passenger destinations	64	69	64	69

Earlier this month Etihad Airways published some details of its results for last year, demonstrating an AED 1.4 billion (U.S.$ 394 million) operating result, driven by AED 4 billion (U.S.$ 1.1 billion) year-on-year growth in passenger revenue, while decreasing unit cost excl. fuel by 7%, marking a significant improvement in passenger business profitability.

Through 2023, the airline launched 15 new destinations, including Lisbon, Copenhagen, Kolkata and Osaka, and grew its operating fleet by 14 aircraft, to support ~30 per cent growth in Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs).

The airline also successfully strengthened its balance sheet by reducing net leverage to 2.5x net debt to EBITDA, from 5.0x in 2022, off the back of strong cash-flow generation and controlled CAPEX, supported by improving aircraft utilisation and re-activating previously parked aircraft.

New interline deal for Rex and Etihad

Rex unveils new interline partnership with Etihad Airways.

This exciting partnership between Australia's Rex and Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, provides passengers on Rex's domestic routes convenient connections with Etihad's global network.

“Partnering with a world-class airline like Etihad brings a new era of choice and connection for 

Rex passengers,” said Rex’s General Manager of Network Strategy, Warrick Lodge. “Passengers will be able to fly to either Sydney or Melbourne on Rex and thereafter connect 

on Etihad to a further 72 destinations across the globe. Etihad's extensive international network includes Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the USA.  “The entire journey, including Etihad and Rex connecting flights, can be booked under one booking and passengers can enjoy the convenience of through-check baggage (where permitted).”

Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer said: "This exciting new partnership significantly expands connectivity options for Etihad guests, providing them with effortless access from our gateways in Sydney and Melbourne to pivotal destinations within the Rex network, including Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast. Equally, we are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Rex customers, enabling them to seamlessly integrate into our expanding global network."

2023 a good year for Etihad Airways

~40 per cent more passengers, from 10 million to 14 million, year-on-year

Passenger revenue increased by AED 4 billion (U.S.$ 1.1 billion) to AED 16.7 billion (U.S.$ 4.5 billion)

 Cost per Seat Kilometre excl. fuel decreased by 7 per cent year-on-year

Launched 15 new destinations, added 14 aircraft including four A380s

Hired over 2,300 new employees, primarily pilots and cabin crew

Transferred Abu Dhabi hub operations to state-of-the-art Zayed International Airport

          Etihad Airways announced its results for the full year 2023, recording AED 1.4 billion (U.S.$ 394 million) operating result, driven by AED 4 billion (U.S.$ 1.1 billion) year-on-year growth in passenger revenue, while decreasing unit cost excl. fuel by seven per cent, marking a significant improvement in passenger business profitability.

The airline carried 14 million passengers last year, up ~40 per cent from the year before, underlining continued robust demand for travel across its growing network, with an overall load factor of 86 per cent, compared to 82 per cent in 2022. Total revenue reached AED 20.3 billion (U.S.$ 5.5 billion) in the year ended 31 December 2023, compared to AED 18.3 billion (U.S.$ 5.0 billion) in 2022.

Through 2023, the airline launched 15 new destinations, including Lisbon, Copenhagen, Kolkata and Osaka, and grew its operating fleet by 14 aircraft, to support ~30 per cent growth in Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs).

The airline also successfully strengthened its balance sheet by reducing net leverage to 2.5x net debt to EBITDA, from 5.0x in 2022, off the back of strong cash-flow generation and controlled CAPEX, supported by improving aircraft utilisation and re-activating previously parked aircraft.

Etihad’s strong performance in 2023 follows a successful reorganisation of its business, sharpening its focus on the core airline offering by divesting from ancillary support services and businesses; restructuring the fleet to focus on the most efficient and advanced aircraft; streamlining and rationalising its destination network; and increasing focus on productivity and cost savings.

Etihad's passenger widebody fleet comprised 78 per cent new generation aircraft, one of the highest ratios in the industry, underscoring its dedication to operational efficiency and contributing significantly to its reduced emission targets.

His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Etihad Aviation Group, said: “A sincere thank you to our customers, as well as the Etihad family for giving flight to our ambition, and delivering the reliable, best-in-class service that is the hallmark of our operation. The team has continued to make our airline stronger and more efficient, while delivering extraordinary customer experiences.

“I am confident we will continue to build on this solid foundation as we grow our network, enhance our offering and connect even more people with Abu Dhabi as we support and promote the Emirate’s tourism ambitions, delivering our vision to be the airline that everyone wants to fly.”

Etihad Airways shares the spirit of Ramadan with special offerings

         Etihad Airways is marking the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, both in-flight and on the ground to immerse passengers in the spirit of Ramadan and enhance their travel experience during this holy time.

Starting from the 10 March, passengers across all cabin classes to selected Etihad destinations can expect a variety of amenities tailored to welcome guests during the holy month. Specially curated Iftar meals and dedicated prayer facilities will be available in Etihad’s premium lounges and onboard flights.

Turky Al Hammadi, Head of Product and Hospitality, at Etihad Airways, said: “Ramadan holds a special place in our hearts, it’s a time to reflect and to spread kindness. We are committed to sharing these Ramadan values across all touchpoints of our guests' journey, starting from our lounges to onboard experiences.

“For our Iftar menu this year, our culinary team has carefully crafted special Ramadan dishes that aim to evoke heartwarming traditions, blending traditional Emirati flavours with a modern twist. Our commitment to premium and sustainable ingredients is reflected in our choice of locally sourced suppliers, ensuring our guests enjoy high-quality, tasty dishes that also support the local economy and have a lesser impact on the environment.

“Our Iftar menu contains dishes like the lamb bukhari with smoked cardamom yoghurt, pulled chicken machbous pinza with chaami cheese and pickled onion, and warm umm ali dessert and olive oil and date cake. Our menus are designed to ensure that our guests savour the richness of traditional Ramadan meals while also maintaining nutritional balance.”

"Furthermore, we offer Etihad Guest members the opportunity to donate their miles, allowing them to spread kindness and support communities around the world. We have seen the generosity of our guests with over 250 million miles donated to a range of causes through the Etihad Guest programme to date. It's initiatives like these that truly embody the spirit of generosity and compassion that Ramadan represents."

 

Ramadan food and beverage menu in the Etihad lounges

First come, first served – uncovering first-class cabin designs

As any seasoned traveller knows, there is flying – and there is flying first class. The vast majority of us will never attain such dizzy heights and can only dream of that elusive upgrade.  Artemis Aerospace has a look at what we’re missing and explores some of the world’s best first-class cabins.

As you board a plane and shuffle down the aisle of economy class, you might have booked a window seat for the view or opted for an aisle seat for easy access to the loo. However, what happens next is in the lap of the gods.

Heading towards your seat, you might be considering a whole host of possibilities that could cause you unwelcome distractions while onboard. For example, will your neighbour be fidgety or insist on fighting for the armrest? Or will there be a lively child directly behind you constantly kicking the back of your seat? Will there be enough legroom? Will the meal be something you like, and will there be enough to sustain you during the journey? Despite these concerns, economy class passengers usually end up at their destination having had a perfectly pleasant flying experience.

For passengers who want a more exclusive experience, there is the option of business class or first class. Both are more luxurious compared to economy, but the differences vary from airline to airline. Generally, business class offers more legroom than economy but you won’t necessarily be given a private space. In first class, there is usually a seat which turns into a bed, and sometimes a private space or even apartment. Food and drink in business class is typically at good restaurant level, whereas in first class, there is likely to be an impressive menu carefully curated by an award-winning chef.

In today’s economy, however, with commercial aviation only just beginning to recover from the pandemic, some airlines are concentrating on business class and phasing out the first class offering altogether. Even before COVID-19, in the ten years to 2018, British Airways dropped 100,000 of its first-class seats, and when ordering new aircraft today there is no first-class option included. The US airline Delta has halved its first-class seats from 400,000 to 200,000 in the last ten years.

So, if you want to experience the high life, now is the time to do it; we’ve selected five of the most luxurious first-class spaces to take your pick from.

Qatar Airways

The luxury first class experience on Qatar Airways ensures complete privacy and offers a top of the range, full flat bed to ensure passengers get a perfect sleep and arrive refreshed, along with designer lounge wear from The White Company. There is an à la carte menu prepared by top chefs, including some with Michelin stars, and food can be ordered from it at any time. The personal spaces can be transformed into a workspace with onboard Wi-Fi and there are in excess of 4,000 entertainment choices.

Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways is one of the two national airlines of the United Arab Emirates. A first-class passenger’s journey starts with a luxury limousine to the airport, and, once on board, encompasses fine dining, expert wine pairings with your meal and a ‘signature Cognac service’ to finish. Chairs recline into a flat bed when required and there is free Wi-Fi access, an amenity kit with body lotion, cologne, eye mask, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, plus over a thousand hours of on-demand in-flight entertainment. For the ultimate experience, passengers on the airline’s A380 can book a luxurious suite for two, with its own private shower room, bedroom with double bed and separate living room.

Singapore Airlines

Etihad Airways will fly its much-loved A380 on the popular Abu Dhabi – New York JFK route from 22 April, 2024

Etihad Airways is delighted to announce it will start flying its A380 double-decker to New York JFK from 22 April, 2024.

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, says: “We’re thrilled to start flying our remarkable A380 across the Atlantic, and we know our guests love the onboard experience. Whether they are flying in Economy, Business, First or the three-room suite in the sky, The Residence, they will enjoy elevated levels of service from our dedicated crew, and ensure they arrive in the city that never sleeps refreshed and relaxed. We know this is important for all our guests, not least our corporate customers, and the timing and comfort provided by the A380 means they can arrive fresh and ready for their business appointments.

“Putting the A380 on the popular New York route makes sense as we satisfy customer demand for more capacity, further growing our expanding network. The fact that our new route to Boston, Etihad’s fourth US gateway, will open on 31 March, three weeks before our A380 starts flying to New York, underlines our ambitious growth plans.”

The introduction of the A380 marks a significant enhancement to Etihad's capacity in the crucial US market, connecting to the broader GCC and Indian subcontinent. It will further attract an increased number of visitors to sample the attractions of the vibrant city of Abu Dhabi.

The A380 will operate on one of the two daily Etihad flights to New York. The other daily flight will be operated by a 787-9 featuring First, Business and Economy cabins.

The US route becomes the second destination after London to enjoy the remarkable A380 experience since Etihad returned its superjumbo to the skies.

Welcome onboard

Every guest in Etihad’s A380 is treated to a unique and elevated experience. For those in Economy, a dedicated welcome area sets the tone. The cabin boasts 68 extra legroom seats with an additional 4 inches of space, along with 337 Economy Smart seats featuring Etihad's signature fixed-wing headrests and large pillows for maximum comfort.

Etihad Airways adds new destinations and more flights to its winter schedule

One of the globe's most popular airlines, Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, is updating and overhauling its flying schedule for this winter season, adding more destinations, extra flights and better connections.

According to the airline,  the new network is designed to support Abu Dhabi visitor growth and provide travellers with more options by:

Introducing new destinations: Ramping up capacity to sought-after international destinations, providing opportunities for travellers to explore and experience diverse cultures, while bringing more visitors directly to Abu Dhabi.

Provide more options: Provide passengers with enhanced travel flexibility with multiple and more convenient departure times, ensuring seamless and stress-free journeys.

Increase frequencies to key international markets: To support Abu Dhabi's economic and tourism growth, Etihad is increasing flight frequencies to essential international destinations, fostering improved accessibility and strengthening the emirate’s position as a hub for global travellers.

The updated schedules have been timed for departures from Abu Dhabi at 2 pm, ensuring travellers and visitors can thoroughly experience Abu Dhabi's hotels and attractions until their checkout time. This approach enhances the overall travel experience while maximising the enjoyment of Abu Dhabi's offerings.

"As we embark on Etihad’s next chapter targeting growth, our ambitious network and improved connectivity allows us to better serve Abu Dhabi and our valued guests, forming the basis of our future expansion while providing flexibility and freedom to adapt to new opportunities and markets,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways.

“By offering more travel options and seamless connections, we aim to attract an increasing number of visitors to Abu Dhabi, propelling economic growth for the city while enriching the travel experience for our passengers."

Network Updates

Etihad has already announced the launch of nine new destinations this year, including Malaga, Mykonos, Lisbon, Kolkata, St Petersburg, Dusseldorf, Copenhagen, Osaka, and Boston. In addition, the airline this week published two new routes to the Indian Subcontinent, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, to be launched in January 2024. These new destinations showcase Etihad's dedication to expanding connectivity and providing travellers with more options globally.

To complement these developments, Etihad has made several recent network changes and frequency adds to enhance travel options and connectivity. Highlights include:

• Improved Departure Times: Enhanced passenger convenience with adjusted departure times for European and Asian destinations.
• Expanded Frequencies: Increased frequencies to Chennai (MAA), Islamabad (ISB), Kochi (COK), Madrid (MAD), Milan (MXP), Munich (MUC), Rome (FCO), and Phuket (HKT) offer travellers more choices while improving travel options and connectivity.

o   Cairo (CAI): An additional 5 flights per week to make triple daily operations to Cairo, effective from 1 Jan, strengthening the link between Abu Dhabi and the Egyptian capital.

o   Colombo (CMB): 7 direct flights per week with 3 flights effective from 1 Dec and 4 flights effective from 1 Jan, further enhancing travel options to this destination.

o   Maldives (MLE): An additional 7 flights per week, with 3 flights effective from 1 Dec and 4 flights effective from 1 Jan

The updated network leverages Etihad's geographic advantage as a facilitator for seamless cultural exchange and developing economic opportunities along its network routes across Asia and Europe.