Etihad Airways has announced plans to roster its A380 aircraft onto a third route later this year.
The carrier’s superjumbo will operate on daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Paris CDG from 1 November.
Flights will depart Zayed International Airport at 0240, arriving into the French capital at 0730, with the return leg leaving Paris CDG at 0945 and landing back into Abu Dhabi at 1925.
Paris will be the third city to see the return of Etihad’s A380, following London Heathrow in July last year, and New York JFK this week.
The superjumbos are configured for a total of 486 passengers – 405 in economy (with 68 of these offering four extra inches of legroom), as well as 70 Business Studios, nine first class apartments and The Residence (which can accommodate up to two guests).
Back in 2021 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Etihad had put its fleet of superjumbos into long term storage, and Etihad Group’s CEO Tony Douglas was quoted as saying that “I’m sure it’s very likely that we won’t see them operating with Etihad again”.
But fast forward to 2024 and the carrier now has four of its A380s back in service, and it will be interesting to see how many of the other six which remain in storage will now be reactivated.
Commenting on the news Antonoaldo Neves, chief executive officer, Etihad Airways, said:
“As a city celebrated for its style and ambiance, Paris is the perfect destination for our iconic A380 aircraft. This enhancement reflects our commitment to delivering award-winning comfort and service across all cabin classes.
“The introduction of the A380 on the Abu Dhabi – Paris route enriches both leisure and corporate travel. It underscores Etihad’s commitment to facilitating business connections and travel to Abu Dhabi and beyond.
“Our state-of-the-art cabins and bespoke amenities ensure that business travellers can work, relax, and arrive refreshed. Features like The Lobby lounge and Business Studios create an ideal environment for productivity and comfort.
“By enhancing the travel experience with greater connectivity and luxury, we make business trips more accessible and enjoyable, connecting travelers to Abu Dhabi’s dynamic economy and rich cultural landscape with the premium service Etihad is known for.”
