Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has announced increase in frequency of flights to North America ahead of the winter travel season.

According to a press statement by Etihad, it will increase its nonstop flight service between Boston and Abu Dhabi from four flights per week to once daily starting on October 27.

The airline says this will provide North American business and leisure travellers more options and flexibility when planning trips to the UAE and beyond to the Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent.

Etihad adds that the decision to increase Boston flights to daily is based on the route’s strong performance and comes just three months after Etihad Airways introduced Boston as its fourth destination in the United States. Boston joined Chicago, New York and Washington DC, as well as Toronto, Canada, further expanding Etihad’s North American footprint.

Arik De

“Our Boston service continues to perform strongly, with our flights near capacity since our inaugural flight in Boston this March,” says Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad. 

“Having already experienced record passenger demand, we are excited to invest further in the North American market by expanding our flight frequency out of Boston ahead of the peak winter travel season,” De adds.

Etihad says its daily flights from Boston Logan International Airport to Abu Dhabi operate with a state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring the airline’s acclaimed Business Studios and Economy Smart seats. 

The statement adds that with 28 seats in Business and 262 seats in Economy, the aircraft is equipped with entertainment systems, in-seat power, and in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity, providing passengers with a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience, complemented by world-class service and hospitality.

The Boston service is timed to offer convenient links to Etihad’s growing network for corporate business travellers and leisure guests connecting to destinations across the UAE, the Gulf region and the airline’s 11 nonstop routes into India.

Etihad’s partnership with JetBlue ensures convenient connections to numerous cities throughout North America, unlocking endless possibilities for exploration across the continent.

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility in Zayed International Airport enables guests to clear US immigration and customs inspections before boarding. 

Etihad says that with all the checks out of the way before take-off, travellers can simply pick up their bags and go when they land in the US. It is the only CBP facility in the Middle East.

Airbus A350 to serve Toronto 

Etihad will also begin flying its Airbus A350 once daily to Toronto Pearson Airport in Canada, beginning October 27.

“The Airbus A350 is setting new standards for air travel, with increased efficiencies and comfort. The introduction of the A350 to Toronto aligns with our strategy to meet increasing customer demand and expand our network,” adds Arik De.

Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the Airbus A350 is one of the most efficient aircraft types in the world, with 25 pc less fuel burn and CO2 emissions than previous models. 

The statement adds that the aircraft also features Etihad’s newest cabin interior and is infused with thoughtful design details.

The elevated Business class features 44 Business Studios that provide each guest with enhanced privacy within their suite. In addition to facing forward with direct aisle access, every Business class seat is designed for maximum comfort and converts into a fully flat bed of 79 inches (201 cm) in length with ample storage for convenience. 

The airline says that noise-cancelling headphones and an 18.5 inch (47 cm) TV screen provide a cinematic experience to enjoy Etihad’s extensive inflight entertainment offering. The Business seats cleverly feature a built-in wireless charging dock and Bluetooth headphone pairing.

Business class guests can also choose from a curated à la carte menu, or Etihad’s signature ‘dine anytime’ service.