Abu Dhabi to Washington

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of non-stop daily flights to Washington, DC, the airline’s fourth destination in North America, from 31 March 2013, subject to regulatory approvals.  It will compete with United Airlines who have an established daily service out Dubai.

The Washington region is home to America’s second largest market flying to the Middle East, after New York.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “No other UAE carrier is offering non-stop services between DC and the UAE, so this capital-to-capital link is a huge opportunity for Etihad Airways.”  Last week, the US Department of Commerce released data showing that total trade volume between the US and the UAE rose to US$18.3bn in 2011, a 43% increase from the previous year.

The schedule allows maximum connectivity to key markets in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), Indian Subcontinent and South East Asia.

The 14hr plus non-stop flights will be operated by a three-class A340-500 aircraft.  Each flight will offer 12 Diamond First Class, 28 Pearl Business Class and 200 Coral Class Economy seats, for a total 3,360 seats per week.

Etihad Airways launched Toronto in October 2005, New York in October 2006 and Chicago in September 2009. www.etihad.com

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