ATLANTA — On July 2, 2025, Etihad Airways (EY) made its inaugural touchdown at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), a milestone for both the airline and the City of Atlanta. The route represents the first nonstop air link between Georgia and the United Arab Emirates since Delta Air Lines (DL) discontinued its Atlanta-Dubai service in February 2015.

Flight EY013 was operated by A6-XWE, an Airbus A350-1041 delivered to Etihad in 2019. The aircraft departed Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) just before 10 am Gulf Standard Time, touching down 14 hours and 37 minutes later on Atlanta's Runway 27L at 4:30 pm local time. By distance, EY013 edges out EY450 from Abu Dhabi to Sydney, Australia (SYD), to become the longest flight in the Etihad network.

"This state-of-the-art aircraft redefines long-haul travel, combining performance, sustainability, passenger comfort, and like ever before," said Alpna Mathews, Etihad’s Regional General Manager for the Americas, during the launch ceremony. The A350-1000 features whisper-quiet cabins, reduced jet lag through intelligent lighting systems, and the lowest CO2 emissions of any aircraft in Etihad's fleet.

Expanding Etihad’s North American Reach

With Atlanta's addition, Etihad now operates to six North American gateways: Boston Logan (BOS), Washington Dulles (IAD), New York Kennedy (JFK), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Toronto Pearson (YYZ), and now Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL). The airline has already announced that Charlotte (CLT) will join their US network starting May 4, 2026.

The new route has implications for both Etihad and the Greater Atlanta Area that reach beyond aviation. Bryan Benefiel, Deputy General Manager and Chief Financial Officer at ATL, emphasized this impact, saying, "This partnership opens doors to new business, to cultural exchange, and deeper connectivity between our regions. It sends a clear message. Atlanta is not only open for business, it's positioned for the world."

Captain Majed al Marzouqi, Etihad's Chief Operations Officer, echoed these sentiments: "This is more than a new route. It's a powerful new connection between two incredible cities, Abu Dhabi, the jewel of the United Arab Emirates, and Atlanta, a thriving capital of culture, commerce, and creativity."

The Atlanta route represents a key component of Etihad's Journey 2030 strategy, which aims to serve more than 125 destinations and welcome 33 million guests annually. "Atlanta is one of our 16 new cities that we are opening into the world in 2025 as we truly build a global network that reflects the spirit of modern travel," Capt. al Marzouqi stated during the launch event.

Service Details, Passenger Experience

Etihad is launching the Atlanta route with four weekly flights on the Airbus A350-1000, with plans to expand to daily service in November. The airline's business studio suites offer direct aisle access, sliding privacy doors, and full flat beds. At the same time, economy passengers enjoy innovative design features with extra legroom options and next-generation in-flight entertainment at every seat.

• Flight EY013 will depart Abu Dhabi at 09:20 GST and arrive in Atlanta at 16:20 EST. 
• The return, EY014, will depart Atlanta at 22:00 EST and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 19:30 GST the next day.

When asked about success metrics for the new route,  Mathews indicated a more comprehensive approach: "Measuring success really has a lot of variables for us. It's about profitability on the route. It's about load factors. It goes beyond the numbers; there is also how we have pursued in the marketplace, too."

The route's significance extends beyond commercial aviation. "When you open that gateway to any new destination, bringing the local Atlanta people to experience Abu Dhabi for the first time, possibly for many of the people, that just opens up their ability to see and appreciate different cultures," Captain al Marzouqi added.

Looking Forward

As Etihad continues its expansion following challenges experienced during the global pandemic, the airline maintains an optimistic outlook. The new Atlanta route sets a connectivity standard between the East Coast of the United States and the Middle East, arriving at a time when travel analysts are observing all-time highs in both economic and tourist demand to the United Arab Emirates.

"The new connection isn't just about air travel. It's about bringing people closer. Fostering friendship and opening new chapters for growth and understanding between our cultures," concluded Captain al Marzouqi during the inaugural ceremony.