Etihad to Bring Back the Airbus A380 to New York in 2024

Etihad Airways has recently announced the return of its Airbus A380 on the airline’s flights between Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) during the upcoming summer season.

The Arab carrier will fly its flagship to the United States for the first time in over three years. During the pandemic, the airline suspended its use but brought it out of retirement for its Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow (LHR) route in July of this year.

Photo: Courtesy of Etihad Airways

From April 22, 2024, the A380 will be used on one of Etihad’s two daily flights to JFK, while the other flight will continue to be operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

The upgrade to the A380 will facilitate a significant capacity boost between the U.S. and Abu Dhabi and beyond to hundreds of destinations on Etihad’s global network.

The airline’s A380 is divided into four cabins. On the lower deck are 337 standard Economy Class seats and 68 extra legroom seats.

The upper deck has 70 Business Studio private seats and nine First Class seats, with ‘The Lobby’ in between. The Lobby is a fully serviced lounge area where premium passengers can relax and enjoy a drink at the bar.

Photo: The Residence. Courtesy of Etihad Airways

The most exclusive part of Etihad’s document number one is ‘The Residence.’ It is a private suite with three rooms and can accommodate up to two passengers.

The Residence features a bedroom, a living room, and an ensuite bathroom with a shower. A dedicated team of crew members will attend to passengers of The Residence and can enjoy lavish menu items such as caviar and champagne or even breakfast in bed.

Photo: The Apartment. Courtesy of Etihad Airways

“We’re thrilled to start flying our remarkable A380 across the Atlantic, and we know our guests love the onboard experience,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways.

“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 U.S. gateway, will open on March 31, three weeks before our A380 starts flying to New York, underlines our ambitious growth plans.”