Etihad Airways to Deploy Flagship Aircraft on Australia Routes

Significant Upgrade for Australia Flights.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, plans to enhance service between Sydney and Abu Dhabi by deploying the new Airbus A350-1000, offering improved comfort, luxurious seating, and additional innovations on this important route.

Starting October 1, 2025, the A350 will join the schedule on select flights, complementing the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner currently serving the route, both featuring Etihad Airways' latest business suites.

From January 31, 2026, all 10 weekly flights from Sydney will operate exclusively with the A350. Flights to Melbourne will continue using the 787-9.

The business class offers 44 units, each with a sliding door for maximum privacy. Every business seat is designed for ultimate comfort and converts into a fully flat 79-inch bed, with ample storage. Noise-cancelling headphones and an 18.5-inch TV screen provide a true cinematic experience. Business seats also feature built-in wireless charging and Bluetooth headset pairing.

Photo: Etihad

The A350 includes 327 economy class seats with an innovative 13-inch touchscreen. All passengers are entitled to a free chat package on Wi-Fi or can opt for full browsing throughout the flight.

Etihad stated: "We are excited to bring advanced travel options to Australia with the arrival of our A350 on this important route. We have increased our flight frequency to Sydney this year, offering guests greater flexibility and enhanced connectivity on our expanding global network".

It is noteworthy that the airline continues to operate flights to Israel during the entire conflict and is even expanding its operations to 28 weekly flights.