Etihad Airways Restores Airbus A380s to Service, Expands Luxury Offerings on Flights to London Heathrow Airport

Etihad Airways has been steadily reinstating its Airbus A380 fleet since announcing the return of four out of ten aircraft in December 2022. The latest to rejoin the fleet is an Airbus A380 with the registration A6-API, which returned to Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN), China, on July 17, 2023. The aircraft underwent maintenance at XMN after arriving from its previous storage location at Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees Airport (LDE), France, on May 4, 2023.

Another Airbus A380, registered as A6-APJ, took A6-API’s place and flew to XMN for maintenance on July 11, 2023, having been idle at Teruel Airport (TEV), Spain, since April 2021.

Etihad Airways has also brought back two other A380s to AUH. A6-APH returned on June 21, 2023, from LDE, where it had arrived from TEV on May 10, 2023, and remained inactive until now. A6-APG made its return in March 2023 and recently conducted a successful test flight on July 15, 2023.

The reintroduction of the A380s is part of Etihad Airways’ plan to replace Boeing 777-300ERs on flights between AUH and London Heathrow Airport (LHR). The airline aims to provide a luxurious experience for its passengers, offering The Residence, a three-suite apartment exclusive to the A380s, capable of accommodating up to two guests. The Residence features a shower, bedroom, and a separate living area, with two of these apartments available on the super jumbos. Additionally, the A380s are equipped with nine first-class, 70 business-class, and 405 economy-class seats.

According to Etihad Airways’ booking schedule, the first A380 flight from AUH to LHR is scheduled for July 25, 2023, operating as flight EY11. Up until July 15, 2023, this route was serviced by a Boeing 777-300ER, with previous operations carried out by the Airbus A350-1000 or the Boeing 787-10.

Etihad Airways currently offers four daily flights to LHR, providing passengers with enhanced luxury and comfort on their journeys.