In a statement released on August 6, 2021, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways says it is ramping up flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to the United Kingdom. The move by the Gulf carrier follows the United Kingdom government's decision to add the United Arab Emirates to its amber list of counties.

Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
The UAE is being added to the UK's amber list. Photo: Etihad Airways

This move means that people arriving in the United Kingdom from the United Arab Emirates will no longer be required to book a quarantine hotel package and self-isolate for ten days. Instead, they can now follow the UK amber list rules, which are:

  • Passengers who are fully vaccinated or are under the age of 18 do not need to self-isolate
  • They need to provide a negative lateral flow test before departure
  • They need to take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within two days of arrival in the UK
  • People who received their vaccination in the UK, USA, or EU do not need to quarantine

Passengers arriving in the United Kingdom from amber list countries who are not fully vaccinated must self-isolate at home for ten days and take a COVID-19 test two days and eight days after arriving in the country. Passengers, however, do also have the option of ending their quarantine early if they are prepared to pay for an extra COVID-19 test on day five after their arrival. The new changes regarding the UAE's status will come into effect at 04:00 on Sunday, August 8, 2021.

Seven out of ten UK adults are fully vaccinated

When speaking about opening up international travel, The Independent newspaper quotes UK Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid as saying:

"As we learn to live with this virus, we are continuing to take steps to safely reopen international travel, based on the latest data and expert public health advice.

"The vaccines have already prevented around 60,000 deaths and 22 million infections in England, and with over 7 in 10 adults in the UK now double jabbed, we are building a wall of defense against the disease."

Etihad Airways flies to LHR and MAN

In its statement Etihad Airways says that all its flights between Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and London Heathrow Airport have been scheduled to provide guests with a choice of conveniently timed departures and arrivals.

  • Etihad Airways flight number EY 11 departs AUH at 02:55 and arrives at LHR at 07:10
  • Etihad Airways flight number EY 19 departs AUH at 07:20 and arrives at LHR at 11:55
  • Etihad Airways flight number EY 17 departs AUH at 14:35 and arrives at LHR at 18:50
Etihad cabin crew in PPE
Etihad Airways has three flights a day to London. Photo: Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways also has a daily flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to Manchester Airport (MAN) in the north of England. Etihad Airways flight number EY 21 departs AUH at 07:30 and arrives at MAN at 12:00.

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Etihad Airways uses Boeing 787s for UK flights

The flight time between Abu Dhabi and London is 7 hours 15 minutes, and on the route, Etihad Airways deploys a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner (EY 19 is operated with a Boeing 787-9). The flight departs from Terminal 3 at AUH and arrives at London Heathrow (LHR) Terminal 2.

Etihad Airways Boeing 787
Photo: Etihad Airways

The flight from Abu Dhabi to Manchester is slightly longer at 7 hours and 30 minutes, and on the route, Etihad Airways deploys a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner. The flight departs from Terminal 3 at AUH and arrives at Manchester Airports (MAN) Terminal 2.

Have you recently flown with Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi to the United Kingdom? If so, please tell us about the flight in the comments.