Etihad Airways Brings The Airbus A380 Back To NYC With Flight From Abu Dhabi To JFK Airport

There are just two more days until the Emirati flag carrier sends their Airbus A380s back to the East Coast metropolis. Etihad Airways took delivery of its first A380 in 2014 and started flying the type into New York’s JFK airport a year later.

Operating daily rotations since then, the service was halted during the global pandemic in March 2020. While the airline has since restarted flights to the city, they were served twice daily by the 787-9. Beginning on April 2nd, the European-built superjumbo will be back on a daily service.

According to One Mile At A Time, this will allegedly come at the expense of a daily A380 service to London.

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said this about the return of the Big Bird:

We’re thrilled to start flying our remarkable A380 across the Atlantic, and we know our guests love the onboard experience. Whether they are flying in Economy, Business, First or the three-room suite in the sky, The Residence, they will enjoy elevated levels of service from our dedicated crew, and ensure they arrive in the city that never sleeps refreshed and relaxed. We know this is important for all our guests, not least our corporate customers, and the timing and comfort provided by the A380 means they can arrive fresh and ready for their business appointments.

Putting the A380 on the popular New York route makes sense as we satisfy customer demand for more capacity, further growing our expanding network. The fact that our new route to Boston, Etihad’s fourth US gateway, will open on 31 March, three weeks before our A380 starts flying to New York, underlines our ambitious growth plans.

The flag carrier believes the introduction of the A380 will mark a significant enhancement to its footprint on the US market, connecting to the broader GCC and Indian subcontinent. It will further attract more visitors to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

What to expect onboard?

Photo: First Class Photography | Shutterstock

Passengers traveling on Etihad’s A380 will all experience their version of Arabic hospitality.

Those in Economy will enter the cabin through a dedicated “Welcome area.”

Photo : M101Studio / Shutterstock

The cabin boasts 68 extra legroom seats with an additional 4 inches of space and 337 Economy Smart seats featuring Etihad’s signature fixed-wing headrests and oversized pillows for maximum comfort.

Photo : M101Studio / Shutterstock

The Business Studios provide an exclusive haven with 70 private spaces on the upper deck, ensuring a stress-free journey. The upper deck also houses the Lobby, a serviced lounge, and a bar area between the First and Business cabins. Collaborating with Armani/Casa, Etihad brings sophistication to the Business experience, offering premium ceramics, glassware, cutlery, etc…

The pinnacle of first class luxury

The world’s only three-room suite in the sky. Accommodating up to two guests, The Residence features a private living room, bedroom, and ensuite bathroom, complete with a shower at 40,000 feet. A dedicated team of Etihad cabin crew ensures unparalleled service. Guests in The Residence can indulge in a culinary journey with an à la carte menu, served on designer tableware in the private living room, or even for breakfast in bed. From gourmet cuisine to champagne and caviar, The Residence Signature High Tea offers a range of lavish options.