Etihad Airways launches Abu Dhabi-Sydney A380 flights

Etihad Airways announced the launch of A380 routes to Sydney this week.

This marks a new chapter for the airline’s Sydney-Abu Dhabi and Sydney-London luxury-travel routes.

The new A380 aircraft offers the Residence by EtihadTM, which is the company’s luxury private three-room suite. This is a first for the commercial aviation industry. The other cabins also have similar groundbreaking innovations.

“In 2014, we achieved an 88 percent seat load factor on our Sydney route,” James Hogan, Etihad Airways' president and CEO, said. “The A380 will provide us with much-needed additional capacity, particularly in business class, where we consistently enjoy high levels of demand for our services. This capacity increase is particularly good news for our premium guests and for high-end leisure and business tourism at both ends of the Sydney-London route.”

“Sydney Airport is thrilled to be the first and only airport in Australia and one of only two destinations in the world to welcome Etihad’s new flagship A380 service,” Kerrie Mather, Sydney Airport's managing director and CEO, said. “The upgrade will bolster Sydney Airport’s status as the leading airport globally for next-generation aircraft and boost tourism to Sydney and NSW by increasing seat capacity.”

“Today marks another major milestone in the short history of Etihad Airways,” James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said. “Guests on the A380 between Sydney and Abu Dhabi will enjoy a superior level of luxury, comfort, service, and inflight technology that will totally transform their flying experience. Furthermore, the A380 out of Sydney connects seamlessly at the Abu Dhabi hub to the A380 to London, offering our London-bound guests the comfort and convenience of an all-A380 service all the way.”