Etihad Airways will launch direct flights to Dallas Fort Worth, Texas, in 2014, the United Arab Emirates’ national airline’s fifth destination in the United States.

The addition of the new ultra-long haul three flights a week service, which will start on December 3, 2014, follows Etihad Airways’ pledge to continue to expand its US flight network to cater for growing demand from business and leisure travelers.

Dallas is also the largest and most important hub for American Airlines, Etihad Airways’ US codeshare partner, and the new service will strengthen Etihad Airways’ reach and depth across the US, attracting air travelers from the Middle East region and Indian Subcontinent.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer said: “The United States is one of Etihad Airways’ most important global markets and we are delighted to add Dallas, a key US destination and hub, to our flight network, bringing the number of American cities we will serve to five by the end of 2014.

“The new service will also strengthen the deep commercial and bilateral ties between the United Arab Emirates and the United States.”

Much of the US demand will initially come from the oil and gas sector which has significant connections with Abu Dhabi and the Middle East, as well as from the 20 Fortune 500 companies based in Dallas and the 52 Fortune 500 companies based in Texas.

Mr Hogan added: “Abu Dhabi’s unique geographical position, as well as Etihad Airways’ extensive flight network and those of partner airlines, such as Jet Airways in India and American Airlines, will ensure air travelers have an unparalleled proposition when flying between the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent and the United States.”

Dallas joins the other US cities of Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles (to launch on June 1, 2014) on the Etihad Airways flight network. The addition means Etihad Airways will provide 31 return flights each week between the UAE and US by December 2014.

The new Dallas announcement follows the naming of Etihad Airways as Airline of the Year by leading US magazine, Global Traveler, having been selected for the prestigious title by the Global Traveler Advisory Board.

Etihad Airways also won the awards for Best Airline for First Class and Best Airport Lounges, voted for by Global Traveler readers.

Etihad Airways was also recently voted World’s Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards for the fifth consecutive year, as well as World’s Leading Airline First Class and World’s Leading Airline Cabin Crew.

Etihad Airways will deploy a three cabin ultra-long range Boeing 777-200LR on the Dallas operation. The aircraft will be configured to carry 237 guests, with 8 Diamond First Class suites, 40 Pearl Business Class flatbed seats, and 189 Coral Economy Class seats.

Flight EY161 will depart every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday from Abu Dhabi at 9.45am and arrive in Dallas at 4.30pm the same day. The return flight, EY160, will depart Dallas at 6.45pm on the same day and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 7.50pm the following day.
 

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