From Abu Dhabi to Boston: Etihad Unveils New U.S. Destination

Next year, Etihad Airways is adding Boston to its international network, making it the airline’s fourth gateway city in the United States. The East Coast city is confirmed to be included in its expansion plans.

Etihad will begin a 4x weekly service between Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) starting on Sunday, March 31st, 2024.

The outbound journey, flight EY147, is scheduled to depart Abu Dhabi at 3:10 AM on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and arrive in Boston at 8:55 AM. The return flights, flight EY148, will leave Boston at 3:55 PM on the same day and arrive back in Abu Dhabi at 12:00 PM the following day.

Etihad will be utilizing a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which comes with a capacity to accommodate a total of 299 passengers who can choose between two classes of cabin. There are 28 Business Class seats available, while the rest of the seats, which total 271, are reserved for Economy Class. In the third quarter of 2023, Etihad plans to install new Business Class seats on its 787s, which will be ready for use on the Boston-Abu Dhabi flights.

Photo: Courtesy of Etihad Airways

Once the route is launched, Boston will become Etihad’s fourth destination in the U.S., with the Gulf carrier currently flying nonstop to Chicago O’Hare (ORD), New York John F. Kennedy (JFK), and Washington Dulles (IAD). It also operates flights to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) in Canada.

Etihad had previously operated nonstop services to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), and San Francisco (SFO), but these services were gradually cut due to cost-saving measures.

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways as of late 2022, has previously outlined the airline’s plans for sustainable growth, turning its focus to profitable markets and scrapping some loss-making ultra-long-haul flights, saying, “we don’t fly to places where we don’t make money.”

The recently launched Boston to Abu Dhabi route is a great addition to the airline’s network for various reasons. As per Etihad, many people from the U.A.E. come to study in Boston, especially at renowned universities such as Harvard and MIT. Abu Dhabi has also invested significantly in Boston’s healthcare and education sectors, strengthening the bond between the two cities.

Etihad Airways Greenliner / Photo: Courtesy of Etihad Airways

Etihad will also be able to offer seamless connections to destinations across North America thanks to its partnership with JetBlue. At the same time, Etihad’s extensive global network out of Abu Dhabi should appeal to the multi-cultural Bostonian population.

The new flight will also be Boston’s only direct connection with Abu Dhabi. However, Emirates operates nonstop flights between Boston and Abu Dhabi’s neighbor Dubai (DXB), and Qatar Airways operates flights from Boston to Doha (DOH).

“We are delighted to introduce flights to Boston, which opens up Abu Dhabi to visitors from the American Northeast and across the United States,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad. “We eagerly await welcoming guests to our extraordinary home as well as offering them access to our growing global network.”