Etihad Airways to Launch Airbus A380 Flights to Mumbai

Etihad Airways has confirmed that it will launch Airbus A380 flights between Abu Dhabi and Mumbai from 1 May 2016.

India’s commercial capital will join the carrier’s other A380 destinations of Sydney, London, New York and, from June 2016, Melbourne.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline’s 496-seat A380 features the only three-room suite in commercial aviation - The Residence by Etihad - as well as 9 First Apartments, 70 Business Studios, and 415 Economy Smart Seats.

The aircraft will operate daily on flight EY204 from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai, and EY203 from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi, both of which carry the 9W code of Jet Airways, Etihad Airways’ strategic partner.

The flights connect seamlessly with Etihad Airways’ A380-operated services to New York, allowing guests to experience the double-decker aircraft throughout their journey.

All passengers flying to New York are processed through US Preclearance in Abu Dhabi which allows them to pass through all US immigration and customs checks and arrive in the USA as domestic passengers.

“The Etihad Airways A380 has set a new benchmark for luxury and innovation and we are delighted to announce that this world-class service will soon be available to guests flying to and from Mumbai,” said James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer. “Furthermore, the A380 out of Mumbai will connect seamlessly at our Abu Dhabi hub to the A380 service to New York, offering our New York-bound guests the comfort, convenience and superior inflight service of A380 flights all the way.”

Etihad Airways’ thrice-daily service to Mumbai, in addition to Jet Airways’ double daily service, offers guests access to more than 2,000 weekly connections in 57 markets across the GCC, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America.

With a total capacity of 496 seats, the A380 has 50% more seats than the Boeing B777-300ER it replaces, offering more options for tourism growth into India, USA and Abu Dhabi. 

Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said, “This announcement by Etihad Airways ‎is yet another sign of international confidence in the powerhouse economy of Maharashtra. I look forward to the growth in tourism and business that this service can bring to our state."