Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi flights  

Etihad Airways Airlines - call center tel +971-2-5990844

Etihad Airways is an Abu Dhabi based airline, established in 2003, and call themselves the national carrier of the UAE. Etihad don't fly out of Dubai but they arrange bus transport from Dubai to Abu Dhabi airport, and Etihad are usually a little cheaper than Emirates Airlines. Many Dubai residents living in "New Dubai" (the area towards Jebel Ali) consider an Etihad flight instead of Emirates to avoid getting snarled up in traffic on the way to Dubai airport (DXB). The IATA code for Abu Dhabi Airport is AUH, not ABD although ABD is commonly used as an abbreviation for the city of Abu Dhabi. Etihad also fly from Al Ain (AAN) with a stop in Abu Dhabi. Etihad don't have passengers, they have "Guests", and instead of Economy, Business, and First Class, Etihad has the Coral (economy), Pearl (business), and Diamond (first) Zones. Confused? We are.

• Chairman of Etihad Airways is Dr Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saif Al Nahyan, he is also Chairman of the Civil Aviation Department in Abu Dhabi.
• Chief Executive of Etihad is James Hogan
• Etihad operations began in 2003
• Etihad Airways has flight destinations in Africa, America, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Middle East.

Etihad Airways received an award as the World's Best Airline / World's Leading Airline for 2009 at the World Travel Awards (WTA) in November 2009 (press release 09 November 2009). Etihad also received the Leading First Class award in 2008 and 2009 at the WTA.

Etihad free transit visas for the UAE in 2012

• Etihad announced 31 January 2012 that passengers on Etihad flights via Abu Dhabi to another destination (with Etihad) could receive free UAE 96-hour tourist visas (or 96-hour transit visa or 96-hour visit visa).
• Travellers must book accommodation at the Yas Island Radisson Blu Hotel. Promotional rates from $70 per person per night. Not clear if visitors could get away with just booking one night, or had to book all nights of their stay in the UAE.
• Visa eligibility is for passport holders from Bangladesh, Belarus, Canada, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam (who could previously obtain a visa through Etihad for AED 300).
• Visitors who book for 3 nights also get a complimentary Abu Dhabi City Tour.
• Apply online at www.etihad.com/freeuaevisa. Visa application must be made at least 7 days in advance.
• Promotion is valid from 22 January 2012 to 31 December 2012 (travel must be completed by 31 December 2012).
• Passengers who travel to Abu Dhabi as their destination, not a stopover, are not eligible for this promotion.

Etihad Airways flight destinations include:

1. Peshawar flights re-routed to Islamabad mid August 2009 due to security issues in Pakistan (rocket attacks at Peshawar Airport).
2. Etihad Abu Dhabi-Colombo flights will resume in January 2010 (press release 18 January 2009), starting with 4 flights per week. EY266 AUH-CMB 2155-0345 on Mon Wed Fri Sun, EY267 CMB-AUH 0445-0800 on Mon Tue Thu Sat. Codeshare (UL) with Sri Lankan Airlines.

• 30 Aug 2012 - flights to Damascus suspended "due to the deteriorating security position in Syria" (press release)
• 30 Jul 2012 - Etihad operates flights to 73 different destinations.

Etihad business class, first class, premium airport lounges

• Dublin Airport Terminal 2, Ireland - premium lounge open February 2011.

Etihad flight destinations and routes by country (not complete yet)

• Australia - Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney
• Bahrain - Bahrain
• Brazil - Sao Paulo (01 Jun 2013)
• Egypt - Alexandria
• Greece - Athens
• Holland - see Netherlands
• Iraq - Baghdad, Basra (15 Apr 2012), Erbil
• Italy - Milan, Rome (01 Dec 2012 codeshare operated by Alitalia)
• Japan - Tokyo
• Kazakhstan - Almaty, Astana
• Morocco - Casablanca
• Netherlands - Amsterdam (15 May 2013)
• Turkey - Istanbul
• USA - Chicago, New York, Washington (31 Mar 2013)
• Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City (01 Oct 2013)

Etihad new flights and routes launched in 2013

• Amsterdam, The Netherlands - daily flights starting 15 May 2013, announced 15 January 2013. Flights EY77 and EY78 using an Airbus A330-200 with with 22 seats in Pearl Business class and 240 in Coral Economy class. Codeshare with KLM.
• Brisbane, Australia - daily flights starting 01 February 2013 (an increase from 3x weekly flights currently operating), announced 16 Aug 2012.
• Casablanca, Morocco - daily flights starting 28 March 2013 (increasing from 5x weekly as of 22 Aug 2012 announcement date).
• Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Vietnam - daily flights starting 01 October 2013, using an A330-200 aircraft with two classes - 22 Business Class seats and 240 Economy Class seats (WAM 20 Jul 2012). Schedule not supplied.
• Istanbul, Turkey - frequency increasing from 5x weekly to daily flights starting 01 January 2013. EY097 departs AUH 0940, arrives Istanbul 1250. EY096 departs Istanbul 1405, arrives AUH 2025 (27 Sep 2012 press release).
• Sao Paulo, Brazil - starting 01 June 2013, daily direct flights using an Airbus A340-600 aircraft with 12 first class, 32 business class, and 248 economy class seats. Flight EY171 departs AUH 0945, arrives Sao Paulo (airport code GRU) 1755 (15 hrs). Flight EY170 departs GRU 0035, arrives AUH 2020 (14 hrs) (press release 03 June 2012).
• Tokyo, Japan - daily flights from 02 April 2013 (increasing from 5x weekly as of announcement date - 22 Aug 2012).
• Washington D.C., USA - starting 31 March 2013 (subject to regulatory approval), direct daily flights, aircraft used will be an A340-500 with 12 Diamond first class, 28 Pearl business class, and 200 Coral economy class seats. Announced 23 February 2012.

Etihad new flights and routes launched in 2012

• Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - flights start 02 November 2012, 5x weekly, increasing to daily in 2013. Route served by Airbus A320 aircraft (WAM 09 May 2012). Update 30 Oct 2012 (WAM) - launch delayed due to Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority rejecting Etihad's operating permit application.
• Ahmedabad, India - flights start November 2012, daily. Airbus A320 aircraft will be used (WAM 09 May 2012).
• Basra, Iraq - starting 15 April 2012, 4x weekly, using an Airbus A320 aircraft with 16 Pearl business class seats and 120 Coral economy class seats (announced 28 February 2012 - WAM news).
• Lagos, Nigeria - Murtalla/Murtala Muhammed International Airport (code LOS) starting 01 July 2012, 6x weekly on an A330-200 aircraft with 22 Pearl Business class and 240 Coral Economy seats. First flight painted in Manchester City Football Club colors. Apparently it's common in Africa to put a picture of the contents of a tin on the outside, so maybe residents of Lagos thought the Man City football team were coming to visit.
• Nairobi, Kenya - daily flights to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi starting 01 April 2012, aircraft will be A320 with 2 class configuration - 120 Coral Economy seats and 16 Pearl Business class seats (10 August 2011 press release).
• Rome, Italy - starting 01 December 2012, 4x weekly, codeshare flight operated by Alitalia, not Etihad (press release 21 September 2012)
• Shanghai, China - starting 01 March 2012
• Tripoli, Libya - starting January 2012

Etihad new flights and routes launched in 2011

• Bangalore (Bengaluru International Airport BIAL, airport code BLR), India - 4x weekly flights start 01 January 2011, daily flights from 27 March 2011. Aircraft will be Airbus A320 with 136 passenger capacity - 16 Business and 120 Economy.
  • Flight EY286 on Mo,Th,Fr,Sa depart AUH 2215, arrive BLR 0325 next day.
  • Flight EY287 on Tu,Fr,Sa,Su depart BLR 0420, arrive AUH 0700. Daily from 27 Mar 2011 but departure time changed to 0445 according to press release, although same arrival time.
  • India destinations from 01 Jan 2011 are Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mumbai, New Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram with total 49 flights per week, up to 52 per week once daily service to BLR starts.
• Chengdu, China - starting 15 December 2011
• Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS), Germany - new destination (71st for Etihad Airways) from 16 December 2011 with 4x weekly flights initially, then daily flights from 15 April 2012, using an Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Flight details (16 Dec 2011 to 14 Apr 2012):
  • EY23 Mondays and Fridays - depart AUH 0205 arrive DUS 0625, EY24 depart DUS 1100 arrive AUH 2025.
  • EY25 Tuesdays and Saturdays - depart AUH 0900 arrive DUS 1320, EY26 depart DUS 2130 arrive AUH 0655 (next day).
• Maldives, Male - daily service starting 01 November 2011.
• Mahe, Seychelles International Airport - flights start 06 November 2011 (although later reports said flights started on 02 November 2011). Abu Dhabi to Mahe is flight EY622. Flights 4x weekly with an Airbus A320 using a two-class configuration.

Etihad new flights and routes being launched

• Lyon, France - La Tribune reported on 18 June 2010 that a single landing slot for Lyon was granted for Emirates, Etihad, and Air Arabia to fight over. They had wanted 7 slots. Report unsourced.
• Iraq - Etihad flights start date 26 April 2010 for Baghdad (5 flights per week), and 01 June 2010 for Erbil (2x weekly) (press release 18 April 2010).
• Kenya - possible upcoming destination according to an Emirates Business report 13 December 2009, no comment from Etihad. Update 10 August 2011 - flights to Nairobi start 01 April 2012.
• Seoul, South Korea - daily flights from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Incheon Airport (airport code ICN) starting 12 December 2010 (changed to 10 December 2010) using Airbus A330-200 aircraft, the 65th destination for Etihad. Flight nos, departure and arrival times: EY876 AUH-ICN Mo,We,Fr,Su 2245-1205 next day, EY872 AUH-ICN 1030-2350 1005-2325 Tu,Th,Sa, EY875 ICN-AUH Mo,Tu,Th,Sa 1740-2320, EY873 ICN-AUH Tu,Th,Sa 0110-0650 0040-0620 (20 July 2010 press release, updates from 10 December 2010 press release). Codeshare with Asiana (OZ).

Etihad aircraft configuration

• Most Etihad Airways planes have a 3-class configuration - Economy, Business, First.
• From 31 October 2010, some flights to and from Alexandria (EY662, EY663), Calicut (EY250, EY251), Colombo (EY266, EY267), Damascus (EY541, EY542), Peshawar (EY261, EY262), and Thiruvananthapuram (EY272, EY273) will be an all-Economy class Airbus A320 with capacity of 162 seats, not including the driver.

Etihad Airways onboard wifi internet

• 03 December 2012 (press release) - Etihad announced that their first aircraft with onboard broadband wifi internet was launched, literally, on a flight from Dubai to Brussels (which sounds confusing since over a year ago, Etihad said wifi would be available from December 2011, but not on flights to Brussels initially). The aircraft was an Airbus A330-200 equipped with "Etihad Wi-Fly" inflight Internet and mobile connectivity service, powered by the Panasonic Avionics Global Communications Suite. The service also includes data and mobile phone connections. James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and CEO, was quoted in the press release as saying "'Etihad Wi-Fly' is a result of the 10-year, $1bn agreement we signed with Panasonic Avionics in November 2011. ... By the end of Q1 2013, we will have 10 'Etihad Wi-Fly'-equipped aircraft, and I am pleased to announce that by the end of 2014, every single Etihad Airways aircraft will be equipped for inflight connectivity."
  • Broadband internet will only be available on wide-body aircraft. Narrow-body aircraft will have a slow data connection available. Usage costs not supplied (except for free in first class).
  • Mobile telephone costs will be based on international roaming charges from the operator of the passenger's mobile phone network (in other words, expensive).
• 28 September 2011 (press release) - Etihad announced that wireless internet would become available on some of its aircraft from December 2011, specifically flights between Abu Dhabi and Frankfurt, Geneva, London, Munich, Paris initially.

Etihad codeshare agreements

1. Aer Arann, Ireland
2. Aer Lingus, Ireland - Etihad owns 3% of Aer Lingus (as of May 2012). Interline and codeshare agreement announced 30 July 2012 for Aer Lingus flights to destinations in Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, UK, USA; and Etihad flights to Dublin. Etihad EY code on Aer Lingus flights between Dublin and Aberdeen, Amsterdam, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Isle of Man, Jersey, Kerry, Lisbon, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester; between London Heathrow and Dublin, Cork, Shannon; between Manchester and Dublin, Cork, Shannon; between Dublin and Boston, New York JFK; and Aer Lingus EI code on Etihad Airways flights between Abu Dhabi and Dublin.
3. Air Astana, Kazakhstan - 30th codeshare agreement signed by Etihad. EY code on Air Astana flights from Almaty and Astana to Abu Dhabi. KC code on Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi to Astana and Almaty (26 February 2011 press release).
   Air Berlin - see airberlin
4. Air France-KLM
• 09 Mar 2012 - The Air France-KLM CEO, Jean-Cyril Spinetta, was reported by Bloomberg as saying "Etihad's leaders have been asking for a commercial partnership with Air France. I asked for an opening of informal talks to see if we could develop such a cooperation." Etihad was reported as saying not much - Gulf News quoted a statement from Etihad which said "Etihad Airways talks regularly and frequently to many airlines and a range of other businesses from all over the world about issues and opportunities".
• 21 Apr 2012 update - Etihad is in talks about a possible partnership according to Die Welt newspaper on 21 April 2012. The Air France-KLM CEO, Jean-Cyril Spinetta, was reported by Reuters as saying to Die Welt that "A partnership with Etihad would only make sense for us on the Paris-Abu Dhabi route and to other hubs. On the other hand, a wider partnership would be possible if it included airberlin and its network in the German market." Etihad was not reported as saying anything.
• 08 Oct 2012 (press release) - Etihad finally says something and announces that they have signed a codeshare agreement with Air France-KLM which will take effect from 28 October 2012. Initial codeshare flights will be:
  • Etihad EY code on Air France flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle airport and Bordeaux, Copenhagen, Madrid, Nice, Toulouse.
  • Etihad EY code on KLM flights between Amsterdam and Abu Dhabi, Billund, Cardiff, Newcastle, Oslo, Stavanger.
  • Air France AF code on Etihad Airways flights between Abu Dhabi and Colombo, Dhaka, Islamabad, Kathmandu, the Maldives, the Seychelles.
  • KLM KL code on Etihad Airways flights between Abu Dhabi and Colombo, Islamabad, Lahore, Melbourne, Sydney.
• 15 Jan 2013 (WAM) - Codeshare expansion with Etihad Airways EY code on KLM flights to Aberdeen, Barcelona, Bergen, Birmingham, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Gothenburg, Helsinki, Leeds/Bradford, Madrid, Nice, Stockholm, Toronto. Current KLM codeshare flights already operating to Billund, Cardiff, Newcastle, Oslo, Stavanger? KLM KL code on Etihad Airways flights to Baghdad, Basra, Calicut, Chennai, Cochin, Dhaka, Erbil, Hyderabad, Kathmandu, Male, Peshawar, Seychelles, Trivandrum. Current codeshares on EY flights to Colombo, Islamabad, Lahore, Melbourne, Sydney?
5. Air Malta - from 01 October 2010 Etihad passengers on Air Malta flights between Milan and Malta will have Etihad EY code, and Air Malta passengers on Etihad flights between Milan and Abu Dhabi will have an Air Malta KM code.
   Air Maroc - see Royal Air Maroc
6. Air New Zealand, NZ - codeshare agreement approved, taking effect from 18 April 2011, with EY code on domestic flights in New Zealand between Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington; EY code on flights between NZ and Australia; NZ code on flights from Australia to Abu Dhabi; and NZ code on flights from Abu Dhabi to London. Loyalty programs also integrated - Air NZ Airpoints and Etihad Guest.
7. Air Seychelles - codeshare agreement announced 26 January 2012 in conjunction with Etihad buying a 40% stake in Air Seychelles (announced 25 January 2012).
8. airberlin - codeshare on some airberlin and Etihad destinations, also integration of frequent flyer programs (Etihad Guest and topbonus) as a result of Etihad increasing its ownership stake in airberlin to 29.21% (19 December 2011 news reports).
9. Alitalia - MOU signed to start codeshare flights from April 2010 subject to government approvals (19 December 2009 press release). Al Italia codeshare flights with EY designation from Milan to Rome and Naples, and European flights to Rome including Frankfurt, Geneva, Munich. Etihad flighs with AZ code from Milan to Abu Dhabi, and destinations from Abu Dhabi to Bahrain, Bangkok, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Melbourne, Sydney. Alitalia and Etihad frequent flyer programs also to be linked. Update 21 Sep 2012 - AUH to Rome codeshare operated by Alitalia to start 01 December 2012.
10. American Airlines (AA), USA - announced 09 July 2009, regulatory approval from the US government announced 19 August 2009. American Airlines will put 'AA' code on Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Chicago (ORD), Dublin (DUB), Frankfurt (FRA), Manchester (MAN), Milan (MXP), New York (JFK), Paris (CDG). Etihad Airways will put its 'EY' code on some American Airlines trans-Atlantic flights between USA and Europe, and some internal USA flights from New York (JFK) and Chicago (ORD) to other major US cities.
11. ANA (Japan) - NH code for Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi to Nagoya and Tokyo from end March 2010, EY code for ANA flights from Nagoya to Sapporo and Fukuoka, and between Tokyo and Osaka Itami from end March 2010. ANA Mileage Club and Eihad Guest members can earn miles on airline routes fro both airlines. Announced in press release 04 March 2010.
12. Asiana Airlines (South Korea) - Codeshare agreement announced 27 October 2010 (press release). Flights between Abu Dhabi and Seoul will operate under EY (Etihad) and OZ (Asiana) codes. Also reciprocal awards for frequent flyer programs. Codeshare agreement to be expanded to Europe, Middle East, Africa and Korea at later dates.
13. Bangkok Airways, Thailand
14. British Midland Airways (BMI), UK
15. Brussels Airlines, Belgium (Oct 2005) - codeshare flights to Barcelona (29 Mar 2009), Birmingham, Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Helsinki, Lyon (09 April 2012), Madrid (29 Mar 2009), Marseille, (09 April 2012), Oslo, Stockholm, Toulouse (09 April 2012).
16. China Eastern Airlines - initially airline code MU on Etihad Airways' flights between Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Later codeshares with EY code on MU domestic services from its Shanghai hub, and MU code on EY flights from Abu Dhabi. Reciprocal benefits on Etihad Guest and Eastern Miles frequent flyer programs from Q4 2012. Codeshare tickets on sale from 30 August 2012 for travel from 03 September 2012. Announced 28 Aug 2012, 37th codeshare agreement signed with Etihad (press release).
17. Cyprus Airlines - MOU signed 01 July 2009, codeshare to come into effect September 2009 with CY code on Etihad flights between Dubai and Larnaca.
18. Czech Airlines - codeshare routes from Abu Dhabi to Prague, and Prague to Amsterdam, Budapest, Helsinki, Kosice, Warsaw.
19. Flybe, (flybe.com) UK (from late 2009) - EY (Etihad) codeshare flights from Paris, Frankfurt, Manchester to UK regional airports including Belfast, Birmingham, Southampton. BE (Flybe) codeshare flights from Paris, Frankfurt, Manchester to Abu Dhabi.
20. Garuda Indonesia airlines (18 Oct 2012 press release) - codeshare agreement signed 18 Oct 2012, to take effect from 28 Oct 2012 (but codeshare tickets on sale from 18 Oct 2012). Phase I will see Etihad Airways EY code on Garuda services between Jakarta and Denpasar (Bali), and Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur; Garuda Indonesia GA code on Etihad flights from Jakarta to 31 differnt destinations in the GCC, Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America. Further destinations to be added, and reciprocal arrangements for lounge access and shared frequent flyer program benefits.
21. Hainan Airlines - codeshare agreement signed December 2011.
22. JAT Airways? No longer in effect (omitted from list of code share agreements in 04 March 2010 press release)?
23. Jet Airways, India (from 2008)
24. KLM - see Air France-KLM.
25. Kuwait Airways, Kuwait
26. Malaysian Airlines, Malaysia
27. Malev Airlines, Hungary - from September 2010. Etihad EY code on Malev flights from Budapest to Athens, Brussels, Frankfurt, Milan, Paris. Malev MA code on Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi to the same cities, well, except for Budapest presumably since Etihad doesn't fly there at the time of the news (press release 03 June 2010). Update 03 February 2012 - codeshare flights probably no longer available since Malev Airlines went bust and suspended all flights.
28. Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanon
29. Niki Airline - codeshare from Vienna to Frankfurt, Milan, Munich.
30. nasair (Saudi Arabia) - codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways EY code on nasair flights between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah, Medina (Medinah); and nasair XY code on Etihad Airways flights between Abu Dhabi and Amman, Arbil (Erbil?), Bahrain, Baghdad, Basra, Beirut, Cairo, Colombo, Damascus, Dammam, Dhaka, Islamabad, Istanbul, Jakarta, Jeddah, Karachi, Khartoum, Kuwait, Lahore, Muscat, Peshawar, Riyadh, Tehran, Tripoli. In the future, nasair code also added to Etihad flights to the Americas, Europe, and South East Asia.
31. Olympic Airlines - from 18 May 2010, Etihad EY code on Olympic Airways flights to Athens, Rhodes and Thessaloniki in Greece, Bucharest in Romania, and Sofia in Bulgaria. OA code on EY flights from Athens to Abu Dhabi, and later on flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Sydney, and Melbourne if government approval granted.
32. Philippine Airlines, Philippines
33. Qantas, Australia - from 29 March 2009 to August 2010. Deal cancelled at the same time as a codeshare deal was signed with Virgin Blue according to Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) 26 August 2010 - It has resulted in Etihad and Qantas severing a codeshare agreeement they signed early last year.
34. RAK Airways - codeshare agreement announced 05 Sep 2012 (press release). Etihad EY code on RAK Airways domestic flights between RAK and Abu Dhabi. RAK Airways code RT initially on Etihad Airways flights from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok, Dublin, Geneva, London Heathrow, Manchester. Update 18 Sep 2012 - destinations in Germany and USA might be added later.
35. Royal Air Maroc, Morocco. Reciprocal frequent flyer agreement announced 06 May 2012 - Etihad Guest members can earn and redeem Etihad Guest Miles on Royal Air Maroc, and Royal Air Maroc Safar Frequent Flyer members can earn and redeem Safar Flyer Miles on Etihad Airways flights. Codeshare extended to Conakry in Guinea from Casablanca starting 12 Dec 2012. Other destinations in Africa from Casablanca include Agadir, Fez, Oujda, Ouarzazate, Marrakesh, Tangier in Morroco; Nouakchott in Mauritania; Dakar in Senegal; Bamako in Mali; Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. (WAM 10 Dec 2012).
36. S7 Airlines (Siberia Airlines) - codeshare on S7 flights from Moscow to Kazan (KZN), Krasnodar (KRR), St Petersburg (LED), Samara (KUF) in Russia; codeshare on Etihad flights from Moscow to Abu Dhabi to Bangkok. Further codeshare flights planned for S7 on EY flights from Abu Dhabi to Sydney and Melbourne (WAM 23 Oct 2012).
37. Safi Airways (Afghanistan) - flights to Kabul, codeshare agreement announced 18 May 2012 (WAM), effective 15 May 2012. Etihad Airways EY code placed on 4x weekly Safi Airways flights between Abu Dhabi and Kabul (flights started February 2012).
38. Saudi Arabia Airlines, Saudi Arabia (from 2008)
39. SNCF (French railways)?
40. Sri Lankan Airlines, Sri Lanka (from 2008)
41. TAP Portugal
42. Turkish Airlines, Turkey - codeshare agreement with EY code on Turkish Airline flights between Abu Dhabi and Istanbul, announced 12 July 2009.
43. Ukraine International Airlines - codeshare from Abu Dhabi to Kyiv (Kiev)
44. Vietnam Airlines - codeshare from October 2011 on flights through Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
45. Virgin Australia - Virgin Blue alliance signed August 2010 - see section below for more details
46. Yemen Airways (Yemenia?), Yemen (from 2008)

Etihad Virgin Blue alliance

• 22 Aug 2012 - Etihad stake in Virgin Australia increased to 6.1% (news reports).
• 19 July 2012 (WAM) - the Australian Government has given permission for Etihad to increase its equity stake in Virgin Australia to a maximum of 10%.
• 06 June 2012 - Etihad stake in Virgin Australia increased to 4.99%, and might reach 10% - Gulf News reported James Hogan, Etihad Airway President and CEO, and saying "Once we pass that stage, we will acquire another five per cent, subject to approval," referring to a 5% threshold at which point foreign investors need to notify stockmarket regulators of interest in buying more shares.
• 05 June 2012 - Etihad has bought almost 4% of Virgin Australia according to news reports (3.96% to be more accurate), apparently for about $35.6 million.
• 24 February 2011 - first V Australia flight lands in Abu Dhabi from Sydney. Flight details: VA29 SYD-AUH on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, depart 1605; VA30 AUH-SYD on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, depart 1045.
• 05 February 2011 (press release) - authorisation for 5 year alliance granted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
• 29 September 2010 - ABC News in Australia reported that Alan Joyce, the CEO of Qantas Airways, had rejected an approach by Etihad Airways to form an alliance. He also said he was against the Virgin Blue Etihad alliance. Sounds like some grapes are tasting a bit sour down under. And a free upgrade will be awarde to anyone who can figure out what Mr Joyce meant when he said "We don't see the need with the Middle Eastern carriers, because what is happening with the Middle Eastern carriers is that they are competing with the Asian-hub carriers." Yeah right, no worries mate.
• 23 September 2010 (press release) - Etihad Airways received interim authorisation from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for the proposed alliance with Virgin Blue. Combined network flights will begin on 01 October 2010.
• 26 August 2010 - Virgin Blue codeshare and interline agreement signed according to press reports (Herald Sun, Sydney Morning Herald), and an Etihad press release.
• Strategic deal covers 27 flights weekly Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Australia, from 01 October 2010, and V Australia (Virgin Blue international) flights direct to Abu Dhabi starting in 2011.
• Agreement includes reciprocal redemption of Etihad Guest and Velocity frequent flyer program airmiles and benefits.
• Current Etihad flight frequencies will be 2x daily AUH-Sydney, daily AUH-Melbourne, and 6x weekly AUH-Brisbane.
• V Australia flights planned include 3x weekly Sydney-AUH starting February 2011, 3x weekly Brisbane-AUH starting February 2012, using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a three-class configuration.

Etihad Guests (Etihad air miles) partners

Etihad Guests loyalty program was launched in August 2006. As of January 2010, Etihad Guests has over 650,000 members.

• American Airlines - shared redemption of miles announced in 18 October 2011 press release. Earning miles announced 01 June 2011.
• Bangkok Airways (31 January 2010 press release).

Etihad Airways jobs and careers

• Sales Manager (and other positions?) for Emirati Nationals (reported 01 June 2012) - 3 year study program (1 year in Abu Dhabi, 2 years abroad) followed by appointment. Salary during study is AED 25,000 in year 1, AED 27,000 in year 2, AED 30,000 in year 3. Salary after graduation is AED 33,000 with other benefits including AED 30,000 children's education allowance, health insurance, accommodation allowance, cost of living allowance, free Etihad Airways air ticket for employee, 10 free air tickets for parents and friends. Minimum qualifications Higher Diploma or degree (or equivalent), minimum age 27 years old, English proficiency, desire to work abroad.

Etihad Katrina Kaif brand ambassador

• Etihad Airways signed up Katrina Kaif (an Indian Bollywood actress) as their new brand ambassador in August 2010.
• Ms Kaif did a dance in the Etihad First Class lounge at Abu Dhabi Airport for an upgrade but probably would have got one anyway.
• If you're looking for her, Etihad has helpfully provided an online location at www.whereiskatrinakaif.com (where you can see her dancing at the airport in a YouTube video).
• At the same time, Etihad also launched a new club for travellers to and from India, called IndiaConnect, offering discounts and deals on travel, accommodation, car rental, and so on. Ms Kaif was signed up as the first member.

Etihad sponsorships include:

• Abu Dhabi Golf Championships
• Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Formula 1
• All Ireland Hurling Championships - from March 2008 (?), continued in April 2012 (see GAA sponsorship news).
• Chelsea Football Club, a 3 year deal from September 2007 with the Etihad logo on the Stamford Bridge stadium
• Etihad Harlequins (a UK rugby team) from August 2007, and the East Stand of the Twickenham Stoop was renamed the Etihad Stand
• Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, Australia (renamed in March 2009 from the Telstra Dome). Five year sponsorship from 2009 to 2014. Sponsorship extended for another five years to 2019 (15 Aug 2012 press release).
• Ferrari Formula 1 team
• Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Ireland (announced 12 April 2012 - WAM) - includes sponsorship of the GAA Hurling All Ireland Senior Championship for 5 years (from 2012-2016?), naming rights sponsor of the Etihad Airways Skyline roof top tour and viewing platforms at Croke Park stadium (opening in June 2012)
• M Donnelly Inter-provincial hurling final held in Abu Dhabi in 2009?

Etihad Airways in numbers

• 2011 was the year in which Etihad posted its first annual profit (announced 10 February 2012).

• Figures in italics are forecast or estimates. Most 2008 and 2009 figures from 18 March 2009 Etihad press release.
• Etihad press release 18 March 2009 said they expect to have more than 50 planes in 2009 which means the 2010 figure will probably be revised upwards.
• 25 million passengers targeted for 2020 (03 March 2009 press release)
• Etihad has 755 pilots according to press release 04 January 2009. Press release 18 March 2008 implies 750 pilots at end of 2008.
• Etihad fleet as of September 2010 is 2x Airbus A319s, 13x A320s, 16x A330-200s, 2x A330-300s, 4x A340-500s, 7x A340-600s, 2x A300-600Fs, 6x Boeing 777s, 2x MD11Fs (total of 55 aircraft).
• Etihad plans to break-even in 2011 according to the CEO, James Hogan, who was reported to have said "Our next goal is full break-even in 2011, leading to sustainable profitability from 2012 onwards," (Reuters 26 November 2010).

1. Cargo of 219,000 tonnes carried in 2009 according to Khaleej Times report 08 September 2010. An obvious discrepancy by more than a factor of 10 from the March 2009 press release figure of 3.5m tonnes - The additional aircraft will increase Etihad's seat capacity by 18 per cent and cargo capacity by 12 per cent to 3.5 million tonnes.

Etihad aircraft orders and deliveries (as of September 2010)

• 2017-2020 - 25 Airbus A350s
• 2014-2020 - 10 Airbus A380s, 35 Boeing 787s
• 2011-2015 - 20 Airbus A320s
• 2011-2013 - 10 Boeing 777s
• 2011 - 6 Airbus A330s by end of 2011
• 2008 announcement at Farnborough International Air Show for 100 aircraft on firm order with an additional 55 options and 50 purchase rights.

Etihad aircraft order announcements and news

• 12 December 2011 (press release) - Etihad announced an order for 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and two Boeing 777 Freighters, worth a combined $2.8 billion at current list prices. This order makes make Etihad the largest 787-9 Dreamliner customer with a total of 41 787s on their order book. Etihad Boeing 777 order book now stands at 12 planes, including 10 previously ordered 777-300ERs (extended range). Current fleet includes includes 8 Boeing 777-300ERs and one 777 Freighter.

Etihad subsidiaries, partnerships, investments

• Abercrombie & Kent, a luxury tour operator, have formed a partnership to offer tours and stuff (luxury stuff that is) in various locations around the world (press release 26 March 2012).
• Aer Lingus - Etihad Airways acquired a 3% stake in the Irish airline (2.987% to be precise according to a statement by Etihad released on 01 May 2012).
• Air Seychelles - MOU signed for 40% equity in Air Seychelles for an investment of $US 20 million. Etihad will also loan US$25 million to Air Seychelles (announced 25 January 2012),
• airberlin - Etihad has a 29.21% ownership of air berlin according to news reports 19 December 2011. The partnership agreement includes Etihad Airways having 2 seats on the Board of Directors of Air Berlin PLC. Operationally, airberlin will transfer its Middle East hub from Dubai to Abu Dhabi from 15 January 2012, and Etihad and airberlin will operate codeshare flights on some sectors.
• Etihad Holidays with offices in Al Wahda Mall, Khalidiya Mall, Marina Mall Abu Dhabi, and others
• Etihad Crystal Cargo
• Kanoo Travel - Etihad Airways and Kanoo Travel signed a partnership to open four joint retail outlets at different locations in Dubai (WAM 12 April 2012).
• Virgin Australia - The SMH reported 09 March 2012 that Etihad was interested in buying a stake in Virgin Australia, quoting the Etihad boss, James Hogan, as saying "If we were, and we haven't entered into discussions [with Virgin] … [but buying a stake] would be to anchor our position out of the Australian market, as we have with Air Berlin out of Germany"

Etihad Crystal Cargo

• Etihad CrystalCargo operations launched in November 2004. In 2008, about 200,000 tonnes was transported.
• 12 Nov 2012 (WAM) - relaunch of weekly freighter service from Abu Dhabi to Lagos in Nigeria on Thursdays. Service operates a Boeing 747-400F freighter with a capacity of 124 tonnes. Other African destinations are Addis Ababa, Benghazi, Cairo, Casablanca, Eldoret, Johannesburg, Khartoum, Nairobi, Tripoli. Etihad Cargo flies to 86 international destinations with a fleet of six freighters - one Airbus A300-600F, two Airbus A330-200F, one McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, one Boeing B777F, and one Boeing B747-400F.
• 30 Aug 2012 (WAM) - new Etihad weekly freighter cargo service to Doha to be launched on 03 September 2012. Flights on Mondays with an Airbus A300-600F freighter, capacity 42 metric tonnes. Etihad cargo fleet consists of 6 aircraft - 1x Airbus A300-600F, 2x Airbus A330-200F, 1x MD-11F, 1x Boeing B777F, 1x Boeing B747-400F.
• 27 June 2012 (WAM) - new cargo service to Dammam, Saudi Arabia announced (start date not supplied), weekly on Tuesdays using an Airbus A300-600F freighter, capacity of 42 metric tonnes. Etihad Cargo flies to 87 destinations. Fleet of six freighters, consisting of one Airbus A300-600F, two Airbus A330-200F, one MD-11F, one Boeing B777F, one Boeing B747-400F.
• As of September 2010, Etihad Crystal cargo has a fleet of one Airbus A300-200F, two Airbus A300-600F aircraft and two MD11s with 22 cargo freighter destinations in the Middle East and Africa and 70 destinations worldwide.
• First A300-200F delivered in August 2010, second due by December 2010 (or September 2010 according to a Khaleej Times report 09 September 2010). The new A300-200 freighter can carry up to 64 metric tonnes of cargo and fly up to 7,400 kilometres non-stop. First flight was a medical and humanitarian aid charter flight to Pakistan on 28 August 2010. Flight route was Billund - Denmark to Abu Dhabi to Karachi.
• As of October 2010, Etihad Crystal Cargo has 1x Airbus A300-600, 2x A330, and 2x MD11 with 23 cargo freighter destinations and 71 cargo destinations worldwide.
  • Hong Kong, China - start date 13 October 2010 Etihad Crystal Cargo launches 2x weekly flights from AUH to Hong Kong. Aircraft used is a new A330-200 freighter with 60 metric tonne payload. This will be the 4th dedicated cargo service to China - other destinations are Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai (press release 05 October 2010).
• As of September 2009, Etihad Crystal Cargo has 14 destinations including Baghdad (01 Sep 2009 or 11 Sep 2010 start?), Colombo, Frankfurt Haan, Lagos, Milan, Mumbai. ECC fleet of dedicated air cargo freighter planes is two Airbus A300-600 and an MD11 (27 August 209).
  • Tripoli, Libya announced in 06 September 2010 press release, using Airbus A330-200 freighter aircraft. Other destinations to be serviced by the A330 include Hann; Beijing, Tripoli, Milan, N’Djamena.
  • Beijing, China - start date 11 August 2010, 2x weekly, using MD11 freighter aircraft with a payload of 88 metric tonnes (03 August 2010 press release).
  • N'djamena - from 22 March 2010, Etihad Crystal Cargo operates a freighter service on Mondays to N'djamena, the capital of the Republic of Chad (08 April 2010 press release).
  • Erbil - from 26 March 2010 Etihad Crystal Cargo started operating a cargo service to Erbil in Kurdistan - Iraq. Press release 25 April 2010 said they had "launched a weekly service" and that flights "will operate every Tuesday and Saturday." So it appears to be a twice-weekly service, not weekly.
  • Nairobi, Kenya - cargo flights commenced in March 2009, freight only flights 5x weekly?
• Senior Vice President of Etihad Crystal Cargo is Roy Kinnear.

Etihad Airline awards

• 13 Dec 2012 - Etihad Airways was named "World's Leading Airline" at the World Travel Awards, for the 4th year running. Etihad also won the "World's Leading First Class" award.
• 09 Nov 2012 (WAM) - Etihad Airways was named the 2012 "Best Airline in the Middle East" by Premier Traveler magazine (USA) after surveying 10,000 readers.
• 18 July 2012 - Etihad was in the top 10 airlines for the Skytrax World Airline Awards for Airline of the Year 2012 - in 6th place. Qatar Airlines was 1st, Emirates was 8th. Etihad came in first place for World's Best First Class, Best First Class Onboard Catering, and Best First Class Airline Seat.
• World’s Leading Airline 2011 (for the third year running) at the World Travel Awards 2011 (press release 12 January 2012). Also won World's Leading Airline First Class, World's Leading Airline to the Middle East
• Airline of the Year 2011 by Arabian Business magazine (21 November 2011 news reports).
• TTG Travel Awards 2011 (London, UK, 22 September 2011) - Etihad Airways was named Airline of the Year. TTG is the Travel Trade Gazette (?), a travel industry publication.
• Middle East’s Leading Airline, Middle East’s Leading Airline First Class, Middle East’s Leading Cabin Staff, Middle East’s Leading Airline In-flight Entertainment awards at the World Travel Awards Middle East (May 2011).
• World’s Leading Airline 2010 at the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2010.
• Aviation Business Awards 2010 - Etihad was given the gong for "Airline of the Year Award" (press release 30 November 2010). Probably not as big a deal as it sounds since the award ceremony was organised by ITP, a UAE magazine publisher, and winners of the different categories appeared to be restricted to UAE airline industry companies only (except for the award for Aircraft Manufacturer of the Year which was given to Airbus).
• World’s Leading Airline 2009 at the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2009

Etihad Business Class ... er ... Pearl Zone award 02 April 2009

• In the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards for 2009, Etihad won the Best Business Class and the Best Business Class Catering awards, which apparently 16 million people voted for. What was especially impressive was that Etihad don't even have a business class (or any sort of class for that matter) ... they have a "Coral Zone". In 2008, Etihad's Coral Zone ... er ... business class was 5th, and in 2007 it was 10th. Since Etihad can't do better than 1st place, we're wondering if their business class / Coral Zone will start winning the First Class awards in 2010.
• In the overall Airline of the Year 2009 awards, Etihad was placed 7th (Cathay Pacific scored first place, and Emirates was 5th).

Etihad Terminal 3 at Abu Dhabi International Airport

The new Terminal 3 (T3) at Abu Dhabi International Airport opened for Etihad flights from 02 February 2009. Destinations and dates from which flights depart out of Terminal 3 are (other Etihad flights will continue to depart out of T1 / Terminal 1):

Etihad plane crash and other incidents

• 16 May 2012 - Etihad Airways flight EY69 from Abu Dhabi to Moscow was diverted to Rustov-on-Don in Russia and landed without incident apparently. An official statement said the diversion was "for operational reasons," Bloomberg reported the plane made an emergency landing after losing cabin pressure.
• 30 January 2012 - Etihad flight EY45 from Abu Dhabi to Dublin hit some lights during take-off at 03:19 on South Runway L31 at Abu Dhabi airport, due to thick fog. The runway was closed for a few hours, and the aircraft suffered some tyre damage. No injuries.
• On 15 November 2007, an A340-600 aircraft crashed into a wall at the Toulouse Airbus plant while the brakes and engines were being tested, which seems a funny way to check if the brakes work - it looks like they didn't. Emails flew around the world shortly after the accident, with an inaccurate pejorative story about UAE pilots (an Airbus engineer was driving the bus), and accurate photos of the decapitated plane (the front fell off - to borrow a phrase from a certain Mr Dagg talking about a boat in Australia years ago). According to reports, 5 people ended up in hospital, and the plane, worth $220 million off the shelf, was written off. Although the aircraft was painted with the Etihad name and was due for delivery to Etihad, Etihad said it didn't belong to them at the time of the prang. An investigation concluded the plane crashed because the wheels weren't chocked while the engines were being tested. We're wondering if all Etihad planes now hang a pair of chocks from the rear-view mirror instead of fluffy dice. Update 08 July 2009: Etihad cancelled its order for the damaged A340. Not surprising really. Would you be happy flying in a plane missing a cockpit?

Etihad Airways Memorandums of Understanding and agreements

• Etihad signed an MoU with the Abu Dhabi University Knowledge Group (ADUKG) to provide support for development of aviation careers at Etihad Airways (27 December 2010 press release).

Codeshare and partnership news and announcements

• 21 April 2012 - Etihad was in talks with Air France - KLM about a possible codeshare partnership according to news reports.
• 09 April 2012 - Etihad announced additional codeshare flights with Brussels Airlines to Lyon, Marseille, and Toulouse in France, from Monday 09 April 2012.

Other Etihad news, updates, information

• 15 Aug 2012 (press release) - Etihad Airways opened a new line maintenance base in Melbourne, Australia. Other Etihad maintenance facilities already operating in Bombay, Dublin, Lahore, London-Heathrow, Manchester, Sydney.
• 15 Feb 2011 (press release) - Etihad painted one of their planes purple with a Visit Abu Dhabi in 2011 logo as part of the Essential Abu Dhabi marketing campaign. The Airbus A330-300 aircraft flew around the UAE, and is scheduled to be used on routes to Frankfurt, Geneva, London, Mumbai, Paris.
• 12 Feb 2011 (press release) - a new Etihad premium lounge opened at Dublin Airport. Facilities include a Business Centre with Mac workstations including broadband and printers, free WiFi, showers, luggage storage, drinks and food, international magazines and newspapers, family room with TV and toys for children.
• 26 Jan 2011 (press release) - Etihad will become a member of the UATP corporate business travel payment network as a card issuer. Start date not supplied.

Contact Etihad Airways

• Etihad office address: New Airport Road, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Etihad postal address: PO Box 35566, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Tel office: +971-2-5058000, call center: 800-2277 (toll-free in UAE) or +971-2-5990844, fax: +971-2-5058111
• Tel Etihad at Abu Dhabi International Airport: +971-2-5757874
• careers.etihadairways.com - website for jobs at Etihad Airways

Last update Thursday 17-Jan-2013

Related pages

• Air Arabia - flights and information
• Dubai things to do
• Dubai tourist guide
• Etihad Airways - forum topic, add a review or comments about Etihad
• UAE Air Canada Etihad - landing rights dispute
• visas UAE

Related websites (new window)

• www.etihadairways.com - Etihad Airways website, information and online booking (www.etihad.com is not for Etihad Airways, www.etihad.ae redirects to www.etihadairways.com).
• www.crystalcargo.ae - Etihad Airways Crystal Cargo website
• Dubai directory - add your link free

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