NEW YORK, New York - Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates
national carrier, is increasing flights to and from New York's JFK
International Airport and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on
the heels of the launch of the airline's new A350 aircraft.
It is also expanding its partnership with JetBlue.
Mohammed Al Zaabi, Chief Executive Officer of Miral Asset
Management, Husain Al Hashmi, Regional Manager at Abu Dhabi's
Department of Culture and Tourism, Francois Bourienne, Chief
Commercial Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, joined airline officials
in New York on Friday night for an official announcement on the New
York and Chicago expansion. They were joined by executives from the
hospitality and travel sectors.
"The U.S. remains one of our leading markets, and that is why
New York and Chicago were amongst the first destinations to be
serviced by Etihad's new A350. We are proud to continue to offer
our guests a premier travel experience and enhanced connectivity
through our growing partnership with JetBlue," Tony Douglas, Etihad
Airways Group's CEO (pictured) said at the announcement.
In June, Etihad launched its new A350 aircraft,
Sustainability50, which carries a unique livery in recognition of
the 50th anniversary of the federation of the UAE and Etihad's
commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The new aircraft
is currently serving two routes in the U.S. with flights from Abu
Dhabi International Airport to Chicago's O'Hare International and
New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered Airbus A350 is one of the most
efficient aircraft types in the world, with 25 percent less fuel
burn and CO2 emissions than previous-generation twin-aisle
aircraft. Developed in partnership between Etihad, Airbus, and
Rolls Royce, the Sustainability50 programme will see Etihad's A350s
used as flying test beds of new initiatives, procedures, and
technologies to reduce carbon emissions, building on the learnings
derived from Etihad's similar Greenliner programme for the Boeing
B787 aircraft type.
Also in attendance at Cipriani Downtown where the announcement
was held on Friday night were executives from Etihad's longstanding
codeshare partner, and New York's Hometown Airline, JetBlue
Airways. Etihad and JetBlue have been codeshare partners since 2014
and currently codeshare across 46 destinations throughout the
Americas. JetBlue recently began code sharing on Etihad flights
from Abu Dhabi to Chicago and New York, with Washington, D.C to be
added soon. As Etihad prepares to increase flights to New York's
JFK International Airport in November, the partners are planning to
add additional destinations offering clients seamless connectivity
to new gateways.
In addition to increasing connectivity through the codeshare
partnership, Etihad and JetBlue are developing a frequent flyer
partnership that will allow both TrueBlue frequent fliers and
Etihad Guest members to earn and redeem miles across both
networks.
In addition to the introduction of the A350, increased services
to JFK, and expanded partnership with JetBlue, in June, it was
announced Etihad would be one of the first airlines and first
Middle East carrier, to be offered a permanent presence at JFK's
Legal teen anal, with the airline's leadership attending the
groundbreaking ceremony on 8 September.
Etihad passengers travelling to the U.S. are able to take
advantage of Etihad's U.S. pre-clearance facility, the only United
States Customs, and Border Protection facility in the Middle East.
This allows passengers bound for the United States to process all
immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections in Abu Dhabi
before they board their flight, avoiding immigration and queues on
arrival in the U.S.
