Etihad Airways: aircraft and routesEtihad Airways: aircraft and routes

History and development

Etihad Airways was established in 2003 as the national carrier of the UAE with a base in Abu Dhabi. The company developed together with the aviation hub of the capital of the emirate and gradually expanded the international route network.

Etihad was established by decree of the leadership of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in July 2003. After the first demonstration flights, regular international service began in November of the same year.

The first demonstration flight of the new carrier took place in November 2003 to El Ain, and the commercial line to Beirut opened a few days later. So Abu Dhabi began to form its own international aviation brand.

Etihad was established as Abu Dhabi’s own airline at a time when the emirate was developing the international role of its airport. A year after the first flights, the carrier placed large orders for Airbus and Boeing. In 2010, he also invested in the shares of foreign airlines, but this strategy has changed, so the previous partnerships can not automatically be considered valid today.

The name Etihad reflects the idea of unity of the emirates, but its home airport is located in Abu Dhabi. The creation of the carrier gave the capital of the UAE its own international network. In 2010, the company tried to grow through investment in foreign airlines; some of these projects were later completed, so the historical lists of partners require careful reading.

Milestones

• July 2003: Abu Dhabi establishes Etihad Airways as the national airline of the UAE.
• November 2003: Following a demonstration flight to Ain, a commercial line opened in Beirut.
• 2004: A major order by Airbus and Boeing laid the foundation for the fleet's rapid expansion.
• 2013: An investment in Serbian carrier Jat was accompanied by its relaunch under the name Air Serbia.
• 2014: The first Airbus A380 entered the Etihad long-haul fleet.

Route networks

Etihad routes connect Abu Dhabi with cities in Europe, Asia, Africa and other regions. Some passengers fly to the emirate itself, others use the stop as a transfer to the next section of the trip.

The transfer network is being built around Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. From it, the company connects Middle Eastern destinations with longer flights; the convenience of a specific docking depends on the schedule.

In the 2010s, Etihad attempted to expand its presence through stakes in other airlines, including Air Serbia and Air Berlin. These partnerships relate to the history of the company’s strategy; they do not mean that such carriers today are part of a single network under its management.

For Etihad, Abu Dhabi is both a destination and a hub. Flights from European and Asian cities can connect here with other routes of the company. The traveler should distinguish a direct flight to Abu Dhabi from a difficult route with the continuation of the route: the time of the transfer and the actual carrier affect the convenience of the trip.

Aircraft and features

The company uses aircraft of different sizes: narrow-body - for shorter flights, wide-body, including Boeing 787 Dreamliner - for long-haul routes.

There are Airbus A320, A350 and A380, as well as Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft in the park. The difference between them is important for the passenger: the type of board determines the layout of the cabin and the set of services on a particular flight.

Already in 2004, the company ordered a large batch of Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Later, the A380 entered the fleet, and the Boeing 787 became one of the main types on long-distance lines; the fleet composition changed along with the development of routes.

The name Etihad is translated from Arabic as "unity" - a reference to the seven emirates of the UAE. On board the company there are both more compact A320 and A350, A380 and Boeing 787 for long-haul routes. The introduction of the A380 in 2014 has expanded premium service capabilities, although a specific class and configuration is only available on certain flights.

The fleet evolved from the first Airbus and Boeing to wide-body airliners of several generations. The A380 offered unusual premium cabins in select destinations, and the Boeing 787 became an important type for long-haul flights. At the same time, the wide popularity of any Etihad product does not mean its presence on each aircraft; the layout must be checked for a specific departure.