Etihad Airways has announced some positive updates to its service to North America. While we’re not seeing any new routes introduced for now, we are seeing positive changes to two existing routes.
Etihad’s Abu Dhabi to Boston route expanded to daily
As of October 27, 2024, Etihad will expand its service between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Boston (BOS) to daily. For context, this route first launched as of March 31, 2024, with 4x weekly frequencies. So a 75% increase in service on the route is pretty significant.
This route is operated by a Boeing 787-9, featuring 290 seats, comprised of 28 business class seats and 262 economy class seats. For the winter season, the route will operate with the following schedule:
EY7 Abu Dhabi to Boston departing 10:10AM arriving 4:20PM
EY8 Boston to Abu Dhabi departing 11:20PM arriving 7:15PM (+1 day)
Etihad describes this expansion as reflecting the strong performance in the months since the flight has launched. Boston was the first new destination that Etihad added in North America in a very long time, so it’s great to see that it’s performing so well.
Keep in mind that not only does Etihad have a partnership with JetBlue (providing connectivity in Boston), but there’s also a lot of connectivity between the Boston area and the Indian subcontinent, and the flight is well timed to serve that.
Etihad’s Abu Dhabi to Toronto route upgraded to A350
As of October 27, 2024, Etihad will upgrade its route between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Toronto (YYZ) to daily. Specifically, the route is currently operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, but will soon be operated by an Airbus A350-1000. For the winter season, the route will operate with the following schedule:
EY21 Abu Dhabi to Toronto departing 2:45AM arriving 9:25AM
EY22 Toronto to Abu Dhabi departing 3:30PM arriving 12:20PM (+1 day)
This is an absolutely massive upgrade to the passenger experience. Etihad’s Airbus A350-1000s are very comfortable planes, featuring 371 seats, including 44 business class seats and 327 economy class seats.
Meanwhile Etihad’s Boeing 777-300ERs are the carrier’s most outdated aircraft. They were actually supposed to be retired a few years back, but as Etihad has expanded its network, it has chosen to keep them around for the time being. The Toronto route was Etihad’s only route to North America to be operated by this jet, which is the least favorite among passengers in the carrier’s long haul fleet.
In terms of capacity, the swap from a 777-300ER to an A350-1000 actually represents a slight capacity downgrade, as Etihad’s 777-300ERs have 40 business class seats and 340 economy class seats. So we’re talking about a daily reduction of nine seats.
Bottom line
Etihad is upgrading its service to North America as of late October 2024. Etihad’s service to Boston will be increased from 4x weekly to daily, while Etihad’s service to Toronto will be upgraded from a Boeing 777-300ER to an Airbus A350-1000.
These are both great changes. Boston sure has grown a lot in recent years when it comes to Gulf service. Meanwhile Toronto will no longer be Etihad’s only North America route to feature an outdated aircraft.
What do you make of Etihad’s North America service changes?
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