It seems that Etihad Airways is planning to expand its planned service to Atlanta, with a frequency bump announced by the airline.
Etihad Airways Airbus A350-1000 – Image, Etihad Airways.
The new service, which connects Abu Dhabi to Atlanta, will initially launch on the 2nd of July 2025, initially flying four times a week is proving so popular that the airline has decided to convert the operation into a daily flight from 1 November.
The frequency increase on the route between Zayed International Airport (Abu Dhabi) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the UAE’s only non-stop connection to Atlanta, which will provide even greater flexibility and convenience for travellers.
The service will be operated using the airline’s latest Airbus A350-1000 featuring 44 Business class seats and 327 economy seats.
In addition, passengers departing Zayed International Airport can use the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility. By completing all U.S. customs and immigration formalities before boarding in Abu Dhabi, guests arrive in the States as domestic passengers. This has the bonus of saving some time on arrival (without the uncertain time spent in immigration queues. Rather passengers can collect their bags, or proceed to their connecting flights.
In Quotes
Jurriaan Stelder, Senior Vice President of Network and Alliances at Etihad Airways, said:
“Since announcing our flights to Atlanta in November, we’ve seen great interest from guests, and that’s why we have decided to step up to daily flights on this already very popular route.
“Connecting Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest by passenger volume, with our growing global network means seamless one-stop connections to some of Atlanta’s most popular South Asian destinations including Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai and Karachi.
It also offers more opportunities for guests to visit our wonderful home Abu Dhabi as part of a stopover break or a longer holiday.”
Expansion continues
Etihad Airways is on a path to expansion this year, with the airline planning to launch 13 new routes over the year, as it plans flights for its upcoming A321XLR fleet, as well as exercising its long-haul fleet.
In terms of the USA – it seems to be a focus again for the airline, with Atlanta being Etihad’s fifth US gateway. The airline also serves Boston-Logan, Chicago O’Hare, New York-JFK and Washington Dulles.
With a new service being scaled up to daily service before it has launched, it seems that the demand to travel between Abu Dhabi and Atlanta exists and is strong enough to sustain daily operations.
We’ll have to see where Etihad looks to next, and what markets are stimulated from the Atlanta route.
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I wonder if they’ll release Aeroplan award space.