Category Archives: Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways brings the Airbus A380 to New York and Paris

  • Etihad Airways will begin flying its popular A380 on Abu Dhabi โ€“ Paris CDG route from November 1, 2024
  • The Residence, the worldโ€™s only three-room suite in the sky, serves up a chic flying experience

The Residence

At the pinnacle of comfort is The Residence, the world’s only three-room suite in the sky. Accommodating up to two guests, The Residence features a private living room, bedroom, and ensuite bathroom, complete with a shower at 40,000 feet. A dedicated team of Etihad cabin crew ensures unparalleled service.

Guests in The Residence can indulge in a culinary journey with an ร  la carte menu, served on designer tableware in the private living room, or even opt for breakfast in bed. From gourmet cuisine to champagne and caviar, The Residence Signature High Tea offers a range of lavish options.

Etihad Airways flight EY1 from Abu Dhabi to New York arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday, April 22, heralding the start of the airlineโ€™s A380 double-decker service featuring The Residence, the legendary, sumptuous three-room suite in the sky.

After a celebratory send-off in Abu Dhabi, Etihad pilots waved the US and UAE flags from the cockpit after the super-jumbo arrived on its stand in New York.

The introduction of Etihad’s A380 to the popular New York route comes just three weeks after launching its new route to Boston, underscoring the airlineโ€™s strategy to meet increasing customer demand, service the corporate travelers and expand its network across the North American market.

The new A380 route will service one of Etihad’s two daily flights to New York, while the other will be operated by a 787-9, offering First, Business, and Economy cabins. At the pinnacle of luxury in the A380 is The Residence. Accommodating up to two guests, The Residence provides guests with unparalleled luxury and service, with a private living room, bedroom, and ensuite bathroom, complete with a shower at 40,000 feet. Guests are catered to by a dedicated team of Etihad cabin crew and are offered a range of lavish culinary options including an ร  la carte menu, designer tableware, breakfast in bed and The Residence Signature High Tea.

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Etihad Airways aircraft photo gallery:

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Etihad Cargo expands in China with additional belly capacity to Guangzhou

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Aviation Group, will reinforce its commitment to the China market with the introduction of an additional 30 tonnes of belly capacity via two new weekly direct passenger flights to Guangzhou from 10 October, subject to regulatory approvals.

With this latest addition to the carrier’s network, Etihad will become the first international airline to operate long-haul passenger and cargo services to the top three Chinese gateways since the start of the pandemic.

In July, the carrier announced the introduction of direct passenger flights to Beijing, bringing the total number of direct passenger and freighter flights for China to 15. With the introduction of an additional two direct passenger services per week to Guangzhou using a two-class Boeing 777, Etihad Cargo will offer 1,520 tons of total cargo capacity into and out of China per week.

In addition to offering cargo capacity on passenger flights, Etihad Cargo also operates six Boeing 777-200 freighter flights for Shanghai and five dedicated freighter services for Hong Kong per week.

Etihad Cargo exports a wide range of products from China to the UAE, Europe and the US, with electronics being the most widely transported product.

Etihad Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Etihad to increase flights between New York and Abu Dhabi starting in November

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, continues to strengthen its commitment in the US market with increased flights from New Yorkโ€™s JFK International Airport on the heels of the launch of the airlineโ€™s new A350 aircraft, and an expanded partnership with JetBlue.

In June Etihad launched their new A350 aircraft, Sustainability50, which carries a unique livery in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the federation of the UAE and Etihad’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The new aircraft is currently serving two routes in the US with flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Chicagoโ€™s Oโ€™Hare International and New Yorkโ€™s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered Airbus A350 is one of the most efficient aircraft types in the world, with 25% less fuel burn and CO2 emissions than previous-generation twin aisle aircraft. Developed in partnership between Etihad, Airbus and Rolls Royce, the Sustainability50 programme will see Etihad’s A350s used as flying test beds of new initiatives, procedures and technologies to reduce carbon emissions, building on the learnings derived from Etihad’s similar Greenliner programme for the Boeing B787 aircraft type.

In addition to increasing connectivity through the codeshare partnership, Etihad and JetBlue are developing a frequent flyer partnership that will allow both TrueBlue frequent fliers and Etihad Guest members to earn and redeem miles across both networks.

In addition to the introduction of the A350, increased services to JFK and expanded partnership with JetBlue, in June it was announced Etihad would be one of the first airlines, and first Middle East carrier, to be offered a permanent presence at JFKโ€™s New Terminal One, with the airlineโ€™s leadership attending the groundbreaking ceremony on 8 September.

Etihad passengers travelling to the US are able to take advantage of Etihadโ€™s US pre-clearance facility, the only United States Customs and Border Protection facility in the Middle East. This allows passengers bound for the United States to process all immigration, customs and agriculture inspections in Abu Dhabi before they board their flight, avoiding immigration and queues on arrival in the US.

Etihad Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Etihad Cargo to offer additional bellyhold capacity to New York

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Aviation Group, has reinforced its commitment to the US market with the introduction of an additional 50 tonnes of belly capacity via four new weekly direct passenger flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) from 15 November 2022. With the addition of these flights, the carrier will offer a total of 11 weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and New York.

In addition to offering 11 weekly flights to JFK, New York, Etihad Cargo provides capacity to other key destinations in the US via freighter and passenger flights to Chicago and Washington D.C. The carrier operates nine flights per week to Chicago O’Hare International Airport and daily flights to Dulles International Airport, Washington. The introduction of additional capacity to Etihad Cargo’s winter schedule brings the total cargo capacity into and out of the US to 1,084 tonnes per week.

Existing daily services will continue on Etihad’s new Airbus 350 aircraft, which has been deployed on the New York route since June 2022. The new flights will be operated with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. These aircraft types are two of the most efficient in the world, providing significantly less fuel burn and CO2 emissions than previous-generation twin-aisle aircraft. Etihad Cargo also operates two dedicated Boeing 777 freighter flights per week to Chicago via Europe, supported by an offline network.

Etihad Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Etihad Airways firms up its order for seven Airbus A350F freighters

Etihad Airways has firmed up its order with Airbus for seven new generation A350F freighters, following its earlier commitment announced at the Singapore Airshow. The freighters will upgrade Etihadโ€™s freight capacity by deploying the most efficient cargo aircraft available in the market.

This order of the A350F sees the national carrier of the UAE expanding its relationship with Airbus, and adding to its existing order of the largest passenger version of A350-1000s, five of which have been delivered.

Etihad has also firmed up a long term agreement for Airbusโ€™ Flight Hour Services (FHS) to support its entire A350 fleet, to maintain aircraft performance and optimise reliability. This marks the first agreement for an Airbus FHS contract for an A350-fleet in the Middle East. Separately,ย  Etihadย  has also opted for Airbus’ Skywise Health Monitoring,ย  allowing the airline to access real-time management of aircraft events and troubleshooting, saving time and decreasing the cost of unscheduled maintenance.

More than 70% of the airframe of the A350F is made of advanced materials, resulting in a 30 ton lighter take-off weight and generating at least 20% lower fuel consumption and emissions over its current closest competitor. The A350F fully meets ICAOโ€™s enhanced COโ‚‚ย emissions standards coming into effect in 2027. Including todayโ€™s commitment the A350F has won 31 firm orders by six customers.

The A350F meets the imminent wave of large freighter replacements and the evolving environmental requirements, shaping the future of air freight. The A350F will be powered by the latest technology, fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines.

Etihad Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Etihad Cargo posts record mid-year revenue

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Aviation Group, has announced record-breaking results for the first half of 2022, achieving year-on-year revenue growth of 6 per cent compared to H1 2021 and contributing 35 per cent of Etihad Aviation Group’s operating revenue.

In addition to recording an increase in overall revenue, Etihad Cargo maintained a strong Delivered as Promised rate of 86 per cent, a 2 per cent increase compared to its 2021 full-year results, along with an 83 per cent freighter On Time Performance (OTP) rate despite the challenging handling environment across the network.

Etihad Cargo saw growth across a number of premium products in the first half of 2022. For example, the performance of PharmaLife, Etihad Cargo’s award-winning, dedicated pharmaceutical shipment solution, increased by 46 per cent compared to H1 2021.

Contributing to this growth have been the new developments Etihad Cargo has launched to enhance its PharmaLife capabilities, including improved thermal covers that dramatically increase the protection of pharmaceutical cargo during aircraft loading and offloading. Etihad Cargo also posted a 52 per cent increase in the performance of its LiveAnimals product, for which the carrier was awarded International Air Transport Association (IATA)โ€™s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Live Animals certification in 2022.

Etihad Cargo also reported an 81 per cent electronic airway bill penetration rate, demonstrating the carrier’s continued investment in digitalisation. To further enhance its customers’ booking journey, Etihad Cargo added more features to its new online booking portal in 2021, which resulted in 57 per cent more bookings made via the portal. The carrier also launched a Mandarin version of its website and booking portal, cementing Etihad Cargo’s strategic footprint in China. This key market contributes over 20 per cent of the carrier’s operations.

As part of Etihad Aviation Group’s vision to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, Etihad Cargo has embarked on several sustainability projects. The carrier entered into an agreement with B Medical Systems to develop and launch the industry’s first airline-specific passive temperature-controlled container units for the transportation of pharmaceuticals. Etihad Cargo has also replaced original aluminium unit load device (ULD) containers with environmentally friendly, lightweight ULDs, which can provide a weight-saving of over 200 kilogrammes, lowering fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Etihad Cargo’s network currently offers cargo capacity to 79 destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas with 564 weekly rotations. The carrier also operates charter flights and utilises an extensive road feeder service network to service demand across non-network destinations. The carrier has been recogised for its performance and contribution to the wider air cargo industry, winning several awards including Air Cargo Operator of the Year at the Logistics Middle East Awards, Most Innovative Air Cargo Airline at the Transport & Logistics Middle East Innovation Awards, Cargo Airline and Air Cargo Pharma Service of the Year at the Aviation Achievement Awards and Sustainable Air Cargo Airline of the Year โ€“ Asia and Middle East at the Frieghtweek Sustainability Awards.

Etihad aircraft photo gallery:

Etihad Airways soars to record-breaking first half profit as transformation pays off

Etihad Airways announced its financial and operating results for the first half of 2022, posting a record-breaking core operating profit of US$ 296 million (H1 2021: US$ 392 million loss). This result was achieved despite fuel costs increasing by almost 60% in comparison to the same period last year.

Etihad carried 4.02 million passengers in H1 2022, over 3 million more than last year (H1 2021: 980,000), with an average seat load factor of 75%. Passenger loads increased consistently over the first six months, rising by 21.9 percentage points as travel demand recovered. The airline saw a strong boost in passenger volumes in February as Abu Dhabi further relaxed pandemic-related restrictions.

Network capacity came in at 24 billion ASKs for H1 2022, growing by 46% compared to last year (H1 2021: 16.4 billion), as the airline connected Abu Dhabi to 71 passenger and cargo destinations across 45 countries. The first half of the year saw Etihad launch five summer services, including new seasonal routes to Heraklion on the island of Crete and the French city of Nice.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “Thanks to our transformation programme, Etihad is emerging from the pandemic stronger than ever, with a world-class fleet, an unmatched customer proposition and sustainability woven into every fibre of our business.

โ€œAs air travel came roaring back in 2022, Etihad was there to reconnect our customers with their loved ones and take them on their long-awaited vacations, carrying over 4 million passengers to and from our beautiful home of Abu Dhabi.

“Sustainability continued to be a priority area for Etihad as we entered our fuel-efficient A350-1000s into service and continued our industry-leading decarbonisation efforts, leading to Etihad being recently named Environmental Airline of the Year.

โ€œEtihad Guest delivered record results this year as we continued to drive member engagement and launched Conscious Choices, the first green loyalty programme in the world to reward frequent flyers for making sustainable choices in the air and on the ground.

“Our results would not be possible without the hard work and commitment of the entire Etihad family, and our focus now is on continuing this momentum into the second half of the year.โ€

Financial and loyalty related highlights

Etihad’s passenger revenues tripled in the first six months of the year, climbing to US$ 1.25 billion (H1 2021: US$ 320 million) as more business and leisure travellers returned to the air. This was supported by more countries across Etihad’s network relaxing their Covid-related travel restrictions.

Cargo operations continued to deliver exceptional results with revenues of US$ 802 million in the first half of 2022, representing an increase of 6% on the same period last year. Revenues remained strong despite the increase in passenger volumes limiting belly-hold capacity, leading to a 19% reduction in freight carried (295,020 tonnes).

As a result of a constant focus on cost containment, fixed overhead and finance costs decreased in H1 2022, falling by 9% (or US$ 29 million) and 13% (or US$ 22 million) respectively.

Etihad Guest, the airlineโ€™s award-winning loyalty programme, delivered a record of new member acquisitions in June 2022, increasing to 7.95 million members globally. Flight redemptions increased 15% in H1 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, with over 737,000 flights taken, and member engagement levels translated into record card spends across the programmeโ€™s portfolio of UAE banks, supported by a new partnership with Emirates NBD.

Key figures

ย 

  H1 2022 H1 2021
Passenger revenue (US$ billion) 1.25 0.32
Cargo revenue (US$ billion) 0.80 0.76
Operating revenue (US$ billion) 2.29 1.23
EBITDA (US$ billion) 0.69 0.06
Core operating result (US$ billion) 0.30 (0.39)
Total passengers (million) 4.02 0.98
Available seat kilometres (billion) 24.00 16.43
Seat load factor (%) 74.98% 24.89%
Number of operating aircraft 71 64
Cargo tonnage (leg tonnes โ€˜000) 295.02 365.48

Etihad Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Etihad Cargo reinforces commitment to China capacity

Etihad Cargo has made this announcement:

  • Etihad Cargo currently offers 15 direct passenger and freighter flights per week for China with cargo capacity of 2,708 tons.
  • Etihad recently announced the first regular direct international passenger flight into Beijing under the latest mandate of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The resumption of the direct air link between the two capitals, which complements the existing schedule of cargo flights to other key destinations in China, is another achievement of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the UAE and China.

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Aviation Group, has reinforced its commitment to the Chinese market with the introduction of 15 direct passenger and freighter flights per week.

Throughout the pandemic, the carrier remained committed to the market with a wide variety of capacity, including reconfigured cargo-only passenger freighters. From July onwards, it will continue to expand operations, focusing exclusively on direct passenger flights and dedicated 777 Freighter flights.

In addition to cargo capacity on passenger flights, Etihad Cargo also operates Boeing 777-200 freighter flights daily for Shanghai and six times per week for Hong Kong, bringing the total cargo capacity into and out of China to 2,708 tons per week.

Throughout the pandemic, Etihad Cargo continued to operate direct routes into China, providing cargo capacity via a fleet of modified mini freighters. With the resumption of passenger flights and a schedule of freighter flights, the mini freighters will be taken out of rotation.

Etihad Cargo recently announced its summer schedule, which introduced capacity to key destinations across Asia, Africa and Europe. In addition to adding direct flights into and out of Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, the carrier will continue to operate its Boeing 777 freighter network with flights across Chicago, Dhaka, Frankfurt, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Johannesburg, Kenya, Milan and Riyadh.

Etihad Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Etihad Airways launches its ‘Sustainable 50’ A350-1000 to New York

Etihad Airways celebrated the arrival of its new Airbus A350-1000 in the United States following the inaugural commercial flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to New Yorkโ€™s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on June 30, 2022. The aircraft, which accommodates 371 passengers, is one of five new Airbus A350s to join Etihadโ€™s fleet this year.

From today, all Etihad flights servicing New York and Chicago Oโ€™Hare International Airport will be operated by the A350, joining Mumbai and Delhi routes that began flying in April this year.

Etihad passengers travelling to the US have access to Etihadโ€™s US pre-clearance, the only United States Customs and Border Protection facility in the Middle East. This allows passengers bound for the United States to process all immigration, customs and agriculture inspections in Abu Dhabi before they board their flight, avoiding immigration and queues on arrival in the US.

Sustainable 50

Formed as a partnership between Etihad, Airbus and Rolls Royce in 2021, the Sustainable50 programme will make use of Etihad’s A350s as flying testbeds for new initiatives, procedures and technologies to reduce carbon emissions. This will build on the learnings derived from Etihad’s similar Greenliner programme for the Boeing 787 aircraft type.

The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered Airbus A350 is one of the most efficient aircraft types in the world, with 25% less fuel burn and CO2 emissions than previous-generation twin aisle aircraft.

Etihad recently established a formal framework with Airbus to collaborate on sustainability across a number of areas, including the promotion and commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuel, waste and weight management, and the development of data-driven analysis.

Guest Experience

The aircraft features Etihadโ€™s newest cabin interior, which is inspired by Abu Dhabi and is both more efficient and sustainable in design. Etihad is renowned for high-quality aircraft, and the A350 is filled with thoughtful design details providing exceptional comfort and enhanced privacy.

Etihadโ€™s signature lighting design is inspired by the shadows cast by Abu Dhabiโ€™s palm trees. The cabin lighting emulates natural ambient light and is designed to enhance the guest experience, provide an optimum environment for sleeping and reduce the effects of jetlag. The Airbus A350 also offers the quietest cabin experience for a wide-body aircraft.

Another feature to help reduce light pollution, and therefore jetlag, is the new dark-mode interface on the E-BOX inflight entertainment system. Mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity is also available throughout the aircraft.

Etihad has also thoughtfully created a โ€œLittle VIPโ€ experience for its youngest guests. The programme offers newly launched Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi-themed, family-friendly amenities for children. The A350 also has a special new feature, offering interactive flight maps kids can explore with the help of some Jurassic-age friends.

Business Class

The elevated Business class is home to 44 Business Studios with sliding doors that provide a high level of privacy to each suite. Every seat faces forward with direct aisle access. The Business class seat, with a width of over 20โ€, converts into a fully-flat bed of 79โ€ in length, and features ample storage for convenience.

Noise-cancelling headphones and an 18.5โ€ TV screen provide a cinematic experience to enjoy Etihadโ€™s extensive inflight entertainment offering. The Business seats cleverly feature a built-in wireless charging dock and Bluetooth headphone pairing.

Business class guests can choose from a carefully curated ร  la carte menu, and guests on longer flights can enjoy Etihadโ€™s signature โ€˜dine anytimeโ€™ service.

Economy Class

Etihadโ€™s spacious Economy cabin is configured with 327 smart seats in a 3-3-3 arrangement, of which 45 โ€˜Economy Spaceโ€™ seats have been enhanced with an additional 4 inches of legroom. The Crystal Cabin Award-winning seats were selected after extensive customer trials by Etihad and based on their comfort and sustainability credentials. The seats feature Etihadโ€™s signature supportive headrest, USB charging and Bluetooth headphone pairing, as well as a 13.3โ€ inch screen to enjoy Etihadโ€™s award-winning inflight entertainment system.

Guests receive blankets and pillows for additional comfort and amenity kits on longer flights, as well as enjoying complimentary dining and beverages served by Etihadโ€™s award-winning cabin crew.

Etihad Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Etihad Cargo teams up with B Medical Systems to develop passive temperature-controlled solution for the transportation of life-saving drugs, vaccines and high-value pharmaceuticals

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Aviation Group, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with B Medical Systems to develop and launch an airline-specific passive temperature-controlled solution for the transportation of life-saving drugs, vaccines and high-value pharmaceuticals.

Etihad Cargo will collaborate with Luxembourg-based manufacturer and global distributor of medical refrigeration devices B Medical Systems to develop sustainable temperature-controlled container units that utilise passive cooling technologyย to retain temperatures from -80 to 25 degrees Celsius for up to five days without requiring an external power source, ย thereby reducing carbon emissions, with load capabilities ranging from two to 1,500 litres. The containers’ robust design and multi-use capabilities enable an operational life of over ten years.

Dr. Omar Najim, Manager Executive Affairs Office at DoH, Andrea Scammacca, COO, B Medical, Jesal Doshi, CEO, B Medical, H.E. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of Department of Health, Dr Nadia Al Bastaki, Chief HROD, Etihad Aviation Group, Tim Isik, VP, Etihad Cargo, Lubna AlLaham, Marketing & Communications, Etihad Cargo, Fabrice Panza, Cool Chain Products, Etihad Cargo

Etihad Cargo is participating in the BIO International Convention as part of a high-profile Abu Dhabi delegation headed by H.E. Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health โ€“ Abu Dhabi (DoH). The delegation is visiting the USA to explore prospects for collaboration within the healthcare sector and, more specifically, life sciences to establish sustainable mechanisms that empower the healthcare sector in both countries as well as showcase Abu Dhabi’s distinguished healthcare ecosystem.

Powered by a solid infrastructure and advanced healthcare ecosystem, partnership opportunities across the biopharmaceutical and healthcare value chain in Abu Dhabi continue to emerge as a result of the sector’s robust growth potential. Abu Dhabi has been leading the transformation of the regional healthcare ecosystem by leveraging sciences and technology, positioning itself as a global life sciences hub and incubator for healthcare innovation.