Etihad Airways has confirmed that it will launch direct flights to Dallas Fort Worth, Texas, 03Dec14. Dallas Fort Worth will be the airline’s fifth destination in the USA.
Etihad Airways will operate a three-class, ultra-long range Boeing 777-200LR on the Dallas operation. The aircraft will be configured to carry 237 guests, with eight Diamond First Class suites, 40 Pearl Business Class fully flat seats, and 189 Coral Economy Class seats.
Flight EY161 will depart every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday from Abu Dhabi at 09:45 and arrive in Dallas at 16:30 the same day. The return flight, EY160, will depart Dallas at 18:45 on the same day and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 19:50 the following day.
Dallas is the largest and most important hub for American Airlines, Etihad Airways’ US codeshare partner, and the new service will strengthen Etihad Airways’ reach and depth across the US, attracting air travellers from the Middle East region and Indian Subcontinent.
Much of the US demand will initially come from the oil and gas sector which has significant connections with Abu Dhabi and the Middle East, as well as from the 20 Fortune 500 companies based in Dallas and the 52 Fortune 500 companies based in Texas.
Dallas joins the other US cities of Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles (to launch on 01Jun14) on the Etihad Airways flight network. The addition means Etihad Airways will provide 31 return flights each week between the UAE and US by Dec14.
