Etihad Airways recently announced a new service connecting the U.S. and Abu Dhabi. The new route will take flight on May 4, 2026.
Visiting Abu Dhabi will soon be easier from the United States.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, announced a new route connecting Charlotte, North Carolina, to Abu Dhabi. This new route will debut on May 4, 2026, and will be the first time the cities are connected by a direct route, according to the airline.
The 13-hour and 45-minute flight departs Charlotte’s Douglas Airport (CLT) at 6:40 p.m. and arrives at 12:25 p.m. the next day in Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH). Travelers currently have to connect through other airports, which can add at least three hours to the total travel time.
The route will operate on Etihad’s Boeing 787-9, which features a variety of amenities throughout the flight such as television, Wi-Fi, outlets, and USB charging.
“Charlotte represents a strategic addition to our U.S. network, unlocking direct access to one of the country’s most dynamic and fast-growing regions,” Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure. “We’re excited to be the first airline from our region to serve this market, and we look forward to connecting more travelers to Abu Dhabi and beyond.”
Upon landing at Zayed International Airport, travelers can enjoy a visit to Abu Dhabi or connect to hundreds of other locations within the Etihad network, such as Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Melbourne, Mumbai, and Singapore.
Tickets for the new route are currently on sale through Etihad’s website & travel agents, and T+L spotted one-way fares as low as $1,092 for economy and $6,014 for business. (Etihad’s business class features lie-flat seats and has additional options, which include lounge access and a chauffeur service to and from Zayed International Airport.)
For travelers seeking a more immediate trip aboard an Etihad flight, or to visit Abu Dhabi, the airline is running a limited time 30 percent discount sale on premium cabins to select markets. For example, travelers can score savings from New York to Doha as low as $4,755 or New Delhi from $3,208, all in business class.
Abu Dhabi has become a popular tourism destination and is home to many theme parks including Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World. Disney recently revealed it will open a brand-new theme park in Abu Dhabi, in partnership with regional developer Miral and located in the famed Yas Island.
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