Etihad Airways will fly double daily between Abu Dhabi and Sydney from December 15, in time for the Australian summer holidays.
The airline has served Sydney since 2007, with four weekly flights now joining the current 10, giving guests a choice of two departures every day of the week.
All flights are on the Etihad Airbus A350, offering more than 5,000 seats a week between the two cities.
In business, guests slide the door closed on a private space with a 79-inch lie-flat bed, wireless charging and an 18.5-inch screen.
In economy, seats are 17.4 inches wide with a 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen and Bluetooth audio. High-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the aircraft.
For Australians, the second daily flight means more of Abu Dhabi within reach: a morning at the Louvre Abu Dhabi or the new Zayed National Museum, an afternoon on the Saadiyat sand, an evening in the old fort at Qasr Al Hosn, and a Formula 1 weekend at Yas Marina in December.
Guests connecting through Abu Dhabi can add a complimentary hotel stay of one or two nights with the Abu Dhabi Stopover programme, which now includes Al Ain, the UAE’s oasis city, with its UNESCO-listed gardens, forts and the Jebel Hafeet mountain.
Beyond Abu Dhabi, the extra flights open more of Etihad’s network across the Gulf and the wider Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, Africa and Europe.
“Double daily flights give our guests even greater flexibility when travelling between Australia and Etihad’s growing global network,” said Arik De, Etihad Airways Chief Revenue & Commercial Officer.
“The additional service strengthens connectivity through Abu Dhabi, creating more seamless access to destinations across the Middle East and Europe, while making it easier for travellers to experience Abu Dhabi and discover everything the emirate has to offer as part of their journey.
“More flights mean more opportunities to explore new destinations, reconnect with family and friends, do business across continents, or break up the journey with a memorable stopover in one of the world’s most dynamic and fast-growing cities.”
Etihad’s Australian network also includes daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Melbourne on the Boeing 787.
