ETIHAD AIRWAYS TO LAUNCH FLIGHTS TO LOS ANGELES

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced the launch of direct flights to Los Angeles.

The expansion of its US operation will see the airline commence non-stop daily flights between its Abu Dhabi home-base (AUH) and Los Angeles (LAX) from June 1, 2014, subject to regulatory approvals.

The Californian city will be Etihad Airways’ fourth US destination, joining Chicago, New York and Washington D.C, and will see the airline provide 28 return flights each week between the UAE and US.

The announcement was made by James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer in Los Angeles.

Mr Hogan said: “We are delighted to add Los Angeles, a major US and global destination with a significant metropolitan population and growing economy, to the Etihad Airways’ network in 2014. This expansion will see Etihad Airways offer air travellers daily flights, from our Abu Dhabi hub, to four destinations across the United States.

The new service will increase Etihad Airways’ operations in the US market by 33 per cent and cater for growing leisure and business traffic demands in Los Angeles, as well as the considerable catchment area of the city.

Los Angeles, one of the world’s most iconic, popular, and multicultural destinations with a metropolitan population area of more than 18 million people, is the second largest in the US.

It is classified as a ‘global city’ with strengths in business, international trade, entertainment, culture, media, fashion, science, sports, technology, education, medicine and research.

Mr Hogan added: “The expansion of the US network also will be of considerable benefit to the growing commercial and cultural ties between the US and UAE, with trade between the two countries set to increase beyond the current annual level of USD 22.5 billion*.

“The new service will also offer maximum connectivity, via Abu Dhabi, with 25 Etihad Airways destinations across the Middle East region and Indian Subcontinent, 12 of which are in India, catering for the demand from Los Angeles’ diverse and multicultural population.”

Etihad Airways, four times voted World’s Leading Airline**, will deploy a three cabin ultra-long range Boeing 777-200LR on the Los Angeles operation.

It will be configured to carry 237 passengers, with eight first class suites, 40 business class flatbed seats, and 189 economy class seats.

Etihad Airways’ superior levels of service, hospitality and product have been popular with US air travellers since it launched flights to its first US destination, New York, in 2006.

The airline has carried nearly two million passengers between Abu Dhabi and its destinations in the US in the last seven years, with 2013 passenger numbers expected to increase by 30 per cent over 2012.

The airline’s first class has its own in-flight chef; business class offers a specially trained food and beverage manager; and families across all three cabins enjoy the benefits of a recently introduced flying nanny to look after children.

Etihad Airways and American Airlines have had an extensive code share agreement in place since September 2009.

Etihad Airways places its EY code on American’s flights through its current gateways of Chicago, New York and Washington DC to more than 70 US cities.

The new operation to Los Angeles will strengthen further the reach and depth in the US for Etihad Airways’ customers.

American places its AA code on all Etihad Airways flights between the US and UAE and this will also take place on the new Los Angeles service.