NEWS & OFFERS: Etihad adds 10 new routes plus Black Friday sale and A321LR

Today, Etihad Airways announced the launch of ten new destinations starting in 2025 and aims to add a similar number of new destinations over the next few years.

Etihad has been going from strength to strength recently, with a new terminal and lounges in its home hub, Abu Dhabi, new business class suites, and improvements to the onboard service. They have also been offering some great-value business class fares. If you fly with Etihad, you can add a free stopover and choose a complimentary hotel stay for one or two nights from a selection of premium hotels in Abu Dhabi.

Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “This expansion reflects our commitment to listening to our valued guests. We’ve carefully chosen cities that embody the experiences, adventures, and opportunities that matter to them. Whether seeking inspiring landscapes, vibrant cultural experiences, reuniting with family and friends, pursuing business growth, or educational journeys, our new routes will help make their travel dreams a reality.

“This moment is not just about expanding our network; it’s about sharing Abu Dhabi with the world. With its endless sunshine, diverse cuisine, rich culture, exhilarating family theme parks, and safe, beautiful beaches, Abu Dhabi offers something for everyone. Our expanded network will make it easier than ever for guests to experience everything our home city has to offer.

“Launching ten new destinations in a single day underscores our unwavering commitment to growing our airline with a fantastic route network and world-class, customer-focused service. This incredible milestone would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of our team and the ongoing support of our guests.”

Etihad has already revealed three new destinations for 2025: Prague, Warsaw, and Al Alamein. The first two could well offer good ex-European fares. 

Latest Etihad news

I was on a video call with the airline’sCEO Antonoaldo Neves and Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, for the announcements, and there were some interesting facts revealed. The airline is pretty much back at pre-pandemic passengers levels with around 18-19 million passengers forecast in 2024 versus 19 million in 2018. The delay in aircraft orders has not affected them too badly since they already had delayed orders before the pandemic so were ahead of the queue and had also signed a number of leasing deals. The airline currently has 95 aircraft in its fleet versus 115 in 2017.

Etihad’s new strategy is to use smaller aircraft with the delivery of its A321LR next year to open up destinations where there would not be enough demand for larger aircraft. A number of the new routes will use the A321LR, which is expected to have 14 business flatbed class seats in a 1-1 configuration plus 2 first class seats. I’d guess these will be similar to the layout of JetBlue with the Mint Suite. The aim is to try and homogenous the product between long and short haul too. Qatar already does a pretty good job of this within the Middle East, from my experience.

They plan to focus on double daily services to key destinations to help with connections through Abu Dhabi, and Europe will have 75% of destinations with double daily flights. 

Joining an alliance

I asked whether the airline had changed its stance on not joining a major alliance now that it was expanding so rapidly. Previously, they have stated that they are concentrating on building partnerships rather than joining an alliance. It was also rumoured that they would not join an alliance unless they were one of the major airlines within it, such as Air France/KLM in Skyteam or Lufthansa in Star Alliance.

The team answered that they were concentrating on building partnerships and join ventures such as the latest major deal with China Eastern. They believe that they are still a relatively new airline and are in the “dating” phase rather than wanting to commit to one alliance. However, they did not rule the possibility out which was interesting and said that “who kows” what could happen in the future. I really like Etihad but the lack of belonging to an alliance does put me off flying with them to some extent. 

New Destinations

• Algiers: The capital of Algeria, Algiers, boasts a stunning blend of historic architecture and traditional Islamic influences. The Casbah’s narrow streets offer a glimpse into its rich history, while the Mediterranean coastline provides beautiful views and a relaxing atmosphere. This is somewhere I have always wanted to visit but be aware that you need a visa and it can take some time. 

• Atlanta: The state capital of Georgia, Atlanta is a major business and transportation hub. Known for its Southern hospitality, Atlanta boasts a thriving tech scene, professional sports teams, craft breweries, and dining spots. The state of Georgia is also famous for its charming small towns, historic plantations, and rich agricultural heritage.

• Chiang Mai: Located in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is the country’s cultural heart, renowned for its ancient temples, vibrant night markets, and lush mountainous surroundings. The city’s Old Town is a cultural treasure trove with historic walls and moats.

• Hanoi: The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, is known for its centuries-old architecture and rich culture influenced by Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French traditions. The bustling Old Quarter and serene Hoan Kiem Lake are central to the city’s charm.

• Hong Kong

• Krabi: Located in southern Thailand, Krabi is famous for its stunning limestone cliffs, clear waters, and beautiful beaches like Railay and Ao Nang. 

• Medan: The gateway to island of Sumatra, Indonesia, offering rich cultural diversity, colonial-era architecture, and a thriving food scene renowned for its local delicacies like rendang and durian. It provides easy access to breathtaking natural wonders, including Lake Toba and the orangutans of Bukit Lawang.

• Phnom Penh: The vibrant capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, blends historic charm with modern energy, featuring stunning landmarks like the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. Its riverside promenade, lively markets, and emerging culinary scene make it a captivating destination for history enthusiasts and cultural explorers.

• Taipei is a bustling metropolis known for its modern skyline dominated by Taipei 101, as well as its lively night markets and historic temples. The city’s blend of traditional and contemporary culture makes it a fascinating destination.

• Tunis: The vibrant capital of Tunisia, Tunis, is known for its bustling medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with souks, mosques, and historic buildings. The nearby ruins of Carthage offer a fascinating journey into ancient history.

 Here is the timetable:

*Starting 6 November 2025

Etihad Black Friday

Etihad’s Black Friday sale will run from 27 November to 3 December 2024 for travel from January to May 2025. I would expect some good deals, particularly from Europe, so make sure you check back with TLFL to find the best deals. 

Catch up with all the Black Friday Offers you may have missed here.