Yesterday, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, launched its daily nonstop EY 170 service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).
Los Angeles is Etihad Airways’ fourth US destination, joining Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. on the airline’s network, which will increase further on December 3 with the addition of direct flights to Dallas / Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
 |
| Officials and Etihad Airways cabin crew and flight deck officers taking part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Los Angeles International Airport including (left to right): Geert Boven, Etihad Airways, SVP The Americas; Gina Marie Lindsey, Executive Director, Los Angeles World Airports; The Honorable Consul General of the United Arab Emirates, Abdulla Alsaboosi; and, Michael Kohlstrand, Vice President Western US, Etihad Airways. |
“The greater Los Angeles area has a diverse population of more than 18 million people, the second largest in the US, who can now access direct flights to Abu Dhabi and beyond into the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent,” said James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, in a statement.
The Abu Dhabi service will connect Angelinos to Etihad Airways’ network of 10 Indian destinations, as well as those visiting Armenia; Iran, the UAE, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other countries across the Gulf region.
Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director at Los Angeles World Airports, noted that the new service has launched just as LAX opened its Tom Bradley International Terminal.
The aircraft initially serving the new LAX to AUH route is a three-cabin, long-range Airbus 340-500 which can accommodate 240 guests with 12 First Class suites, 28 Business Class flatbed seats, and 200 Economy Class seats.