As Singapore celebrates National Day, Etihad Airways is planning a big ramp-up in the region.
From the 1st of February 2025, Etihad will start flying its Airbus A380 – the double-decker wonder to the city.
Singapore will become the fourth major city to enjoy the Etihad A380 experience in addition to London and New York, as well as Paris which will be served by the A380 from 1 November.
This means Etihad will have returned its sixth A380 into operation by the start of 2025.
Etihad configures their A380s in a four-class configuration, with Economy Class (67 extra space, 337 normal), Business Studio (70 flat beds), First Apartments (nine) and The Residence.
Thailand to gain a capacity boost
Meanwhile, Etihad is boosting flights to Thailand to 41 per week from 27 October 2024, offering three flights a day. This is in response to customer demand for those heading to the Thai capital and beyond.
The airline also will fly to Phuket 20 times a week to provide connectivity to the beaches and culture of the city.
The latest frequencies are now open for booking. Guests who book on etihad.com can take advantage of a complimentary stopover in Abu Dhabi, transforming one holiday into two and enjoying a free stay for up to two nights at their preferred hotel in the vibrant capital of the UAE.
In Quotes
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said:
“We are thrilled to announce that our iconic A380 aircraft will begin serving the Singapore route early next year.
“This aircraft provides our business and leisure travellers with an exceptional flying experience and seamless connections to our Middle East, European, and North American networks. It highlights Etihad’s dedication to optimising travel to Abu Dhabi and beyond, ensuring more convenience and comfort for our guests.
“We will have our sixth A380 online next year as we build our capacity further to cater for the travel needs of our guests.”
The A380 still has a purpose
With Etihad preparing to bring its 6th A380 back into service (out of an initial fleet of 10), it shows that the type has a very specific purpose (and what it was built for) – moving lots of passengers from hub to hub.
Etihad has been very surgical about where it has deployed this capacity though, with them selecting routes that can support the cost of operating the aircraft with premium passengers. This can be seen in the destinations it serves with the type.
It seems Etihad thinks that people will pay to fly the A380 to and from Singapore – and is introducing the capacity to match.
For those who enjoy the double-deck wonder of the A380, it’s another route to go exploring
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