Etihad Airways Announces Nonstop Flights to Atlanta
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier is also adding nine destinations to its global network
Photo: Courtesy of Airbus - Master Films - Hervé Goussé
Etihad Airways is launching this week with the groundbreaking announcement of ten new destinations, headlined by its entry into Atlanta (ATL)—the world’s busiest airport and fifth U.S. gateway.
Starting July 2, 2025, the airline will connect its hub in Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Atlanta with four weekly nonstop flights aboard its Airbus A350-1000, establishing Etihad as the only Gulf carrier serving Atlanta, joining Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines but notably bypassing direct competition with Emirates.
Photo: Etihad, Airbus A350-1000 / Photo: Courtesy of Etihad Airways
The flight, clocking 15 hours westbound and 13 hours 30 minutes eastbound, widens Etihad’s global reach with an all-new long-haul route, setting the stage for a transformative year in its expansion strategy.
According to the airline, the new flight schedule to Atlanta is as follows:
| Flight | Departure | Departure Time | Arrival | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EY13 | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | 9:30 AM | Atlanta (ATL) | 4:30 PM |
| EY14 | Atlanta (ATL) | 10:00 PM | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | 7:30 AM (Next Day) |
Etihad’s Global Expansion
With today’s announcement, Atlanta joins Chicago O’Hare, Boston, New York JFK, and Los Angeles as Etihad’s U.S. gateways. In October, the airline increased its flights to Boston to daily and debuted the A350-1000 aircraft in Toronto.
But the route puzzle is continuing to grow.
The airline’s route map will also expand eastbound to nine more destinations, including Taipei, Medan, Phnom Penh, Krabi, Tunis, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Hong Kong, and Algiers.
Graphic: Courtesy of greatcirclemap.com / Markus Englund
“Launching ten new destinations in a single day underscores our unwavering commitment to growing our airline with a fantastic route network and world-class, customer-focused service,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad’s Chief Executive Officer.
These additions bring Etihad’s network to over 90 destinations across 50 countries, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s vision to enhance its standing as a global tourism and business hub.
Neves celebrated the announcement, noting how 2025 will be “a pivotal year for Etihad, with more than 90 destinations in over 50 countries, a fleet of more than 110 aircraft – including our amazing new A321LRs – welcoming over 20 million guests onboard. Most importantly, it will support us in bringing over a million visitors to Abu Dhabi to enjoy our home,” he said.
| Launch Date | Departure | Arrival | Aircraft Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Jul-25 | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Atlanta (ATL) | A350 |
| 7-Sep-25 | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Taipei (TPE) | 787 |
| 2-Oct-25 | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Medan (KNO) | A321LR |
| 3-Oct-25 | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Phnom Penh (PNH) | A321LR |
| 9-Oct-25 | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Krabi (KBV) | A321LR |
| 1-Nov-25 | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Tunis (TUN) | A321LR |
| 3-Nov-25 | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Chiang Mai (CNX) | A321LR |
| 3-Nov-25 | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Hanoi (HAN) | A321LR |
| 3-Nov-25 | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Hong Kong (HKG) | 787 |
| 7-Nov-25 | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Algiers (ALG) | A321LR |
The Portuguese CEO stressed that the launch of this route highlights the connection between Etihad’s growth and the tourism goals of the UAE capital.
Additionally, Neves says the expansion aligns with Etihad’s free stopover program, which enables travelers to explore Abu Dhabi with complimentary hotel stays at top accommodations.
“This expansion reflects our commitment to listening to our valued guests,” said Neves. “We’ve carefully chosen cities that embody the experiences, adventures, and opportunities that matter to them.”
A Vision for the Future
In 2025, Etihad’s fleet will exceed 110 aircraft, including the highly anticipated Airbus A321LRs, with which the airline plans to operate seven of the ten routes announced today.
The first Airbus A321LR is expected to arrive in early 2025, with plans to receive up to 40 narrowbody aircraft.
Photo: Airbus A321LR. Courtesy of Etihad Airways
These planes will feature cabins with up to 160 seats in a three-class configuration, including two first class seats with fully flat beds in a 1-1 layout—a first for Etihad’s narrowbody fleet—14 business class seats with fully flat beds in a 1-1 arrangement, and 144 economy seats in a 3-3 layout.
Additional details, including onboard features, will be unveiled in February. In the meantime, Etihad plans to launch the aircraft on two European routes: Abu Dhabi to Copenhagen and Düsseldorf.
Expectations and Competition
With the addition of ten routes to its network, Etihad expects to welcome over 20 million passengers and bring more than one million visitors directly to Abu Dhabi, enhancing Etihad’s global connectivity and reinforcing its role as a bridge between cultures, economies, and experiences.
On the U.S. front, as Atlanta continues to expand its global presence, another Middle Eastern airline will likely begin nonstop flights to this bustling hub next year. There are rumors that Saudia may launch flights from Jeddah, especially now that the Saudi Arabian flag carrier has established a codeshare partnership with Delta Air Lines.
Photo: Courtesy of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Through this agreement, Delta passengers will now have access to nine new destinations in Saudi Arabia via the airline’s hubs in Jeddah (JED) and Riyadh (RUH). Likewise, Saudia passengers will benefit from connectivity to 12 additional U.S. cities through Delta’s hubs in New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX).
Overall, Atlanta’s new direct connectivity to a major global hub marks a significant milestone for the region. This enhanced access not only strengthens travel options but also opens doors for economic growth and cultural exchange.
As the demand for routes between the East Coast and the Middle East continues to rise, it will be intriguing to see whether additional carriers decide to join this expanding market, further enriching the travel landscape.
