Etihad Airways to Launch Airbus A380 Flights to Sydney, Australia

Etihad Airways has confirmed that it will launch Airbus A380 flights to Sydney, Australia, on 1 June 2015.

The world’s largest commercial aircraft will initially operate Etihad Airways’ daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Sydney – EY454 (Abu Dhabi to Sydney) and EY455 (Sydney to Abu Dhabi) – replacing the Boeing 777-300 which the airline currently deploys on the route.

In turn, a Boeing 777-300 aircraft will operate the airline's four weekly Abu Dhabi-Sydney services - EY450 and EY451 - which together with the daily A380 and partner airline Virgin Australia's three weekly 777 flights offer travellers a double daily option.

These fleet changes will increase weekly capacity on the high-demand Sydney route by 1,320 making a total of 4,784 seats in each direction.

They will also see the introduction of Etihad Airways’ much anticipated, all-new product and service offering in its first, business and economy cabins - including The Residence by Etihad, available only on the airline’s A380 aircraft.

Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said, “The new living spaces on our A380s will raise inflight product and service standards to the highest level ever in commercial aviation and change forever travellers’ expectations of air travel. Ours are not only the most advanced aircraft cabins in the industry, they meet all weight, range and cost targets at our desired seat count.”

Mr Hogan said the deployment of the A380 on the Sydney route from 1 June would provide Australian travellers, including guests of partner airline Virgin Australia, with the added convenience and comfort of a daily continuous A380 service to London.

“With seamless connections in Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways’ A380s will transform the ultra-long haul flying experience for guests in all cabins, ensuring they arrive at their destination – be that Sydney or London – in great shape,” he said.

Reservations for the new A380 Abu Dhabi-Sydney services are now open for travel from 1 June 2015.

Etihad Airways has 10 Airbus A380s on firm order, the first of which will be delivered in December 2014. The aircraft will initially operate services between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow, starting with flights EY11 and EY12 from 27 December 2014, EY17 and EY18 from 1 March 2015, and EY19 and EY20 from 1 May 2015.