Etihad Airways continues to strengthen its commitment in the U.S. market with increased flights from New York’s JFK International Airport. The airline celebrated its latest milestone at an event in New York at Cipriani Downtown. Tony Douglas, CEO of Etihad Airways, at the event said: “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.”
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 U.A.E. and Etihad’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The new aircraft serves 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 program 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 program for the Boeing B787 aircraft type.
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 offer travelers seamless connectivity to new gateways.
Etihad and JetBlue are also developing a frequent flyer partnership that will allow both TrueBlue frequent fliers and Etihad Guest members to earn and redeem miles across both networks.
Etihad passengers traveling to the U.S. can avail 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 upon arrival in the U.S.
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