These are all the Etihad First Class Routes

Etihad’s The Residence on the Airbus A380 (Source)

Etihad is known for setting new standards in First Class cabins with the introduction of the A380. In addition to the First Class Apartment on the A380, there is also the Etihad First Class Suite aboard the Boeing 787-9. But on which routes are these cabins available? In this article, we explore the Etihad First Class routes and destinations.

The Etihad First Class Experience – Aircraft Types Matter

The Etihad First Class Apartment, considered one of the best First Class products before the launch of the new Singapore Airlines Suite Class and the new Emirates First Class on the A380, is exclusively available on the Etihad A380. The airline has a total of 10 A380 aircraft in its fleet, with 4 currently in operation. It remains unclear how many will return to service. The unique feature of the Etihad First Class Apartment is the 1-1 layout, resulting in very spacious First Class cabins. There's enough room for a separate seat and bed.

Etihad’s The Residence floorplan (Source)

In addition to the Etihad First Class Apartment on the A380, there is also the Etihad First Class Suite available on some Boeing 787-9 aircraft. However, most of the Boeing 787 fleet features a two-class configuration with only Economy and Business Class, without First Class. Therefore, finding a specific aircraft type doesn't guarantee that a route will offer a First Class service. Aerolopa provides a good overview of the seating arrangements, and all seat maps are available on the Etihad website. The Etihad First Class Suite, like with most airlines, features a 1 – 2 – 1 layout across 2 rows, allowing a total of 8 passengers to travel in First Class.

Etihad First Class Apartment Destinations

To fly in the Etihad First Class Apartment, one must book a route serviced by the Etihad Airbus A380. Etihad received its first A380 in 2014, making it one of the later customers for the aircraft. The last A380 was delivered in 2017. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Etihad operated 10 Airbus A380s. Currently, four A380s are in service, flying to only two destinations.

Etihad A380 (Source)

• London (LHR)

  London is one of the most important destinations for airlines from the Middle East, including Etihad, which flies to London twice daily on the A380. The flight duration is approximately 7 to 8 hours.

  • EY11 – 02:05 AM Abu Dhabi – 06:45 AM London Heathrow

  • EY17 – 02:05 PM Abu Dhabi – 06:45 PM London Heathrow

  • EY12 – 09:30 AM London Heathrow – 07:25 PM Abu Dhabi

  • EY18 – 09:50 PM London Heathrow – 07:45 AM Abu Dhabi

• Paris (CDG)

  The French capital will be served by the Airbus A380 again from November 2024, with a flight duration of approximately 8 hours.

  • EY31 – 02:40 AM Abu Dhabi – 07:30 AM Paris

  • EY12 – 09:45 AM Paris – 07:25 PM Abu Dhabi

• New York (JFK)

  You can enjoy plenty of time in the Etihad First Class Apartment on the route to New York, which takes over 14 hours westbound. This route was resumed at the end of April 2024 and is now operated once daily.

  • EY1 – 02:40 AM Abu Dhabi – 09:05 AM New York JFK

  • EY2 – 02:00 PM New York JFK – 11:00 AM Abu Dhabi

Etihad First Class Suite Destinations

The remaining Etihad First Class destinations are served by the Boeing 787-9. This aircraft is also used on flights to London and New York, increasing the number of First Class flights to these destinations. On flights from Abu Dhabi to Geneva and Casablanca, the Boeing 787-9 First Class Suite is the only First Class product offered by Etihad.

Etihad’s First Class on the B787-9 (Source)

• London

• Geneva

• Casablanca (until the end of October)

• New York JFK

An unusual feature is the approximately 8-hour First Class service from Abu Dhabi to Casablanca in Morocco. A complete list of all Etihad destinations (regardless of the aircraft type) can be found on the Etihad Route Map, available at this link.

Conclusion on Etihad First Class Routes & Destinations

Etihad's First Class cabins are now only available on two aircraft types. The products on the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787-9 differ significantly and are hardly comparable. London is the most consistently served First Class destination. Other destinations have seen changes in recent months.