About Etihad
Etihad Airways has always been one of the top choices of passengers due to its excellent services, ample amenities, and impeccable customer service. Being one of the two flag carriers of UAE with Emirates, this airline is the second largest airline and the national airline of UAE, operating with more than 1,000 flights weekly to 120 passengers and cargo destinations.
Brief History
Post the Royal Decree (Amiri) announced by Sheik Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan in July 2003, this airline commenced its commercial services for passengers in November 2003. Such was the growth of this airline that soon Etihad became among the fastest-growing commercial aviation in the history of aviation. Since then, it has not looked back and has quickly cemented its place among the global leaders. Despite being in partnership with various airlines in SkyTeam, this airline had decided to not join any alliance as their decision was based on their desire to remain independent and strengthen their fleet by their own accord.
Hub
The major hub of Etihad Airways is Abu Dhabi which is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Through the Abu Dhabi International Airport, this airline connects its passengers to more than over 120 destinations.
Fleet size of Etihad
Operating both narrow-body as well as widebody aircraft, this air carrier has aircraft from 5 families, namely- the Airbus A320, Airbus A350-1000, Airbus A380, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787 Dreamliner. As of 2023, Etihad has a total of 85 aircraft with the backbone of the fleet being the Boeing 787 Dreamliner due to its reputation as one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft.
Future Plans
The main aim of this carrier is to triple the number of passengers to 30 million and double its fleet size to 150 planes by the end of the decade. This plan has come into the limelight after the airline decided to shift its focus on medium to long-haul destinations instead of operating extreme long-haul flights. The competition for ultra-long-haul flights is intense and very challenging profitability-wise.
Destinations covered by Etihad
Unique Services
Etihad Airways is known to offer world-class amenities and services that are most preferred by passengers opting to fly with this airline. To know more about the unique services offered by Etihad which make them stand out from their competitors, read the following:
In the Pearl Business Class, passengers are pampered with incredible facilities on roomy aircraft. This class adds to the overall comfort and sophistication of the trip with flat mattresses, large widescreen TVs, and a variety of gourmet food options.