Etihad Adds Charlotte Route, Cuts Shanghai Flights
Etihad Airways will launch new nonstop service between Abu Dhabi and Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 4, 2026, expanding its U.S. network to six destinations. The route will operate four times weekly using Boeing 787 aircraft and marks the airline’s first entry into the southeastern United States.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport will become the only airport in the Carolinas with nonstop service to the Middle East. Etihad’s CEO Antonoaldo Neves described Charlotte as a key market, offering direct access to one of the U.S.’s fastest-growing regions. The city is a major hub for American Airlines, providing connectivity across North and Latin America. Although Etihad and American once held a codeshare agreement, that partnership ended in 2018 due to disputes surrounding Gulf carrier subsidies.
The Charlotte route will enhance Etihad’s one-stop access for travelers to the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, and Asia through its Abu Dhabi hub. It adds to the airline’s existing U.S. routes to New York JFK, Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare, Boston, and Los Angeles. A new Atlanta route is also scheduled to begin on July 2, 2025.
Meanwhile, Etihad is making strategic adjustments in the Chinese market. The airline ended direct flights to Shanghai Pudong on April 28, the same day China Eastern Airlines, Etihad’s joint venture partner, launched its own Shanghai–Abu Dhabi service. Although Etihad had plans to resume its own Shanghai route in October, those plans have been scrapped, and bookings are no longer available. Etihad will, however, maintain its service to Beijing Daxing.
The network updates come as the airline prepares for long-term expansion. Etihad recently confirmed an order for 28 widebody jets, including Boeing 787s and 777Xs, with deliveries starting in 2028. These aircraft are part of Etihad’s growth strategy to double its operations by 2030 and strengthen its presence in key global markets.
By adding Charlotte to its U.S. network and reshaping its China strategy, Etihad is aligning its routes with evolving demand while positioning itself for continued international growth.
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