Etihad opens third daily flight from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah

The United Arab Emirates’ national airline Etihad will begin a third daily flight between the airline’s hub in Abu Dhabi and Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dec. 10.

The carrier's flights to Jeddah have been some of the airline’s most popular regional connections since the route first launched in 2006. The new flights will link the UAE’s political capital with Saudi Arabia’s commercial capital.   
Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways' chief strategy and planning officer, said the company is looking forward to building on the previous success of the airline’s service to Jeddah.

“This new service expands our operation to the kingdom and further strengthens the already strong historic relations and cultural ties between the two Arab states,” Knight said. "Business, religious and leisure guests flying between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah may now choose from greater schedule options. Abu Dhabi's geographical location makes it ideal as a gateway for air travellers going to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, connecting easily and quickly across Etihad Airways' route network."

Etihad Airways' new daily flight will be served by Airbus A320, which offers business travelers 16 Business Class seats and 120 more seats in Economy Class. The existing daily flights to Jeddah are served by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.