Etihad’s new A350 route to Atlanta to go daily following huge demand

Etihad Airways has announced that its new direct service between Abu Dhabi and  Atlanta, which is due to commence on a four-time weekly frequency from July 2, 2025, has proved so popular that it will increase the frequency of services on the route to a daily service from November 1, 2025. The move is most unusual for a route that has not yet even begun and is a clear indicator of the airline’s confidence in the route and its commercial viability.  

The frequency increase on the 7,620-mile (12,192km) route between Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) will become the UAE’s only non-stop connection to Atlanta, also known as the ‘Gate City, or ‘The Big Peach. The service will be operated using the airline’s five-strong fleet of Airbus A350-1000 widebody aircraft that accommodate 371 passengers in a two-class configuration – 44 in business class and 327 in economy class.

GCmap.com“Since announcing our flights to Atlanta in November, we’ve seen great interest from guests, and that’s why we have decided to step up to daily flights on this already very popular route,” said Jurriaan Stelder, Senior Vice President of Network and Alliances at Etihad Airways. “Connecting Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest by passenger volume, with our growing global network means seamless one-stop connections to some of Atlanta’s most popular South Asian destinations including Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, and Karachi.

According to Etihad, Atlanta, Georgia’s state capital, is “a bustling metropolis and a major hub for business, technology, and transportation. The city blends Southern hospitality with a vibrant cultural scene, offering everything from professional sports and craft breweries to exceptional dining and entertainment. Beyond the city, Georgia is home to charming small towns, scenic landscapes, and a deep, diverse history waiting to be explored.”

Passengers using Etihad’s new Atlanta service will additionally be able to make use of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility at Zayed International Airport, the only one of its kind in the Middle East. By completing all US customs and immigration formalities before boarding in Abu Dhabi, passengers effectively arrive in the States as domestic passengers which can save significant amounts of time upon arrival in Atlanta.

Michael Derrer Fuchs / ShutterstockIn what is likely to prove to be a landmark year for Etihad, the Gulf-based airline is already pressing ahead with a bold expansion plan for 2025. In the past three months alone, the carrier has announced the commencement of direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi in Kenya, the signing of a codeshare deal with Kazakhstan-based carrier Air Astana, and in November 2024, unveiled plans for new services to ten new destinations for 2025 in a single day including Algiers, Atlanta, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Krabi, Medan, Phnom Penh, Taipei and Tunis.

Additionally, on January 28. 2025, the carrier announced the addition of a third daily flight to Milan-Malpensa Airport (MXP) from its home base in Abu Dhabi. Commencing on November 1, 2025, the increase in the frequency of flights between the two cities will see the carrier offer up to 12,600 seats per week between Abu Dhabi and Milan, representing a year-on-year capacity increase of almost 115%.

The airline’s fleet currently stands at 104 aircraft in total with a further 98 on order which includes 20 Airbus A321LRs, 15 A350-1000s, eight Boeing 777-8s, 17 777-9s, 20 787-10s, and a further eight 787-9s.  

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