-
Etihad Airways
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- EY/ETD
- Airline Type:
- Full Service Carrier
- Hub(s):
- Abu Dhabi International Airport
- Year Founded:
- 2003
- CEO:
- Tony Douglas
- Country:
- United Arab Emirates
Etihad Airways recently operated its inaugural Airbus A350 service from London Heathrow, with flight EY12 departing Heathrow’s Terminal 4 on September 22nd.
The start of regular Airbus A350 services was originally planned for October, but in July this year the launch date was brought forward by one month. The Airbus A350-1000 will now operate five times per week between Etihad Airways’ hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and London Heathrow (LHR).
The modern aircraft brings with it increased fuel efficiency and a superior passenger experience, and the airline’s Country Manager UK & Ireland, Jeremy Pollock, celebrated the first flight, saying,
“We are very proud of the launch of operations for our Airbus A350 aircraft in the UK. The aircraft will provide our guests with a world-class inflight experience whilst having the knowledge that they are choosing a more sustainable method of travel.”
The A350’s London Heathrow flight schedule
Etihad Airways currently operates four daily flights between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow, with the majority being operated by the carrier’s Boeing 787 aircraft - a mixture of the -9 and -10 variants. Flight EY11/EY12 is operated by the Airbus A350-1000 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
- EY11 – departs Abu Dhabi at 02:15 and arrives in London Heathrow at 06:45
- EY12 – departs London Heathrow at 09:30 and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 19:15
Elsewhere in the UK, Etihad Airways operates daily flights to Manchester (MAN), with the Boeing 787. Other airlines currently flying the Airbus A350 to London Heathrow include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Malaysia Airlines.
The Simple Flying team recently sat down with Etihad Airways’ CFO Adam Boukadida for an exclusive interview – read more here.
Sustainable flying
Building on the progress made with its Boeing 787 Greenliner program, Etihad Airways’ industry-leading Sustainability50 program aims to reduce the impact of aviation on the environment and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
With its impressive credentials as one of the most efficient aircraft types in the world, and a fuel efficiency 25% greater than the Airbus A330, the Airbus A350 plays a key role in Sustainability50. This fuel efficiency comes in part thanks to the aircraft’s Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.
As part of its long-term sustainability plans, the UAE national carrier continues to work with manufacturers and fuel providers to increase the quantities of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that can be used with existing engine technology. It currently uses a blend of up to 40% SAF. Earlier this year, the carrier also announced that it would be planting a mangrove tree for every Economy Class ticket sold.
Get the latest aviation news straight to your inbox: Sign up for our newsletters today.
Etihad Airways and the Airbus A350
Etihad Airways’ first Airbus A350-1000 entered into service in March this year, and the airline now has five of the type in its fleet, with a further 15 on order. In addition to London Heathrow, Etihad Airways flies its Airbus A350s to a range of destinations, including New York (JFK), Paris (CDG), and Delhi (DEL).
Each of the carrier’s Airbus A350 carries a total of 371 passengers in a two-class configuration – 44 in Business Class and 327 in Economy Class. The aircraft features Etihad Airways’ latest Business Class suite, each with a sliding door that provides passengers with a high level of privacy.
See more of Etihad Airways' flagship aircraft in this flight review by the Simple Flying team.
Have you flown on Etihad Airways’ Airbus A350? Share your experiences by commenting below.