Etihad Airways’ latest international destination, New York City, has received the support of one of the UAE’s leading foreign business organisations, the American Business Group of Abu Dhabi (ABG).
American commercial interests in the UAE have grown considerably during the last two years, with membership of the ABG doubling in size and more than 700 US companies now in operation across the country.
“One of Etihad’s key aims is to further develop commercial activities in Abu Dhabi and the UAE, which means we are delighted that the American Business Group of Abu Dhabi has responded so positively to the new route,” said James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ new CEO speaking for the first time about Etihad’s new route to New York.
“With a growing population of 22,000 American citizens living in the UAE, Etihad’s New York service will play a key role in helping bring more business and travellers to the region.”
The ABG has been in operation for more than a decade, with its members representing a wide range of business sectors including energy, defence, healthcare, education, construction, engineering and real estate.
“The new Etihad daily flight to New York is a very significant development for UAE and US commercial ties, especially for Abu Dhabi,” said Kim Childs, president of the American Business Group of Abu Dhabi.
“Without question, the daily non-stop Etihad flight to New York will facilitate more US businesses exploring investment opportunities in the UAE’s booming economy.”
Etihad Airways and the ABG recently held a cocktail party in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the new route which was the largest networking event ever held by the ABG, underlining the interest in Etihad Airways.
ABG members and other guests at the high level function heard a detailed presentation about Etihad’s service to New York, and the ambitious future plans of the Abu Dhabi-based airline.
Guests travelling on the new Abu Dhabi – New York route will enjoy the luxurious comfort of Etihad’s new purpose-built Airbus A340-500 which offers the revolutionary Diamond zone seat.
Not only does the Diamond zone seat recline into a fully flat bed with privacy shell, it also rotates 180 degrees enabling Guests to face one another for meetings or to dine together.
Pearl zone Guests can also experience Etihad’s business bed, which recently won the World Travel Award for being the world’s leading flat-bed seat which at 6 feet 1 inch is one of the longest in the industry.
“The American community in Abu Dhabi and across the other Emirates are immensely proud that Etihad has chosen to fly to New York, America’s commercial capital,” concluded Kim Childs.
“The frequency of the new route in addition to Etihad’s advanced in-flight product will have a tremendous impact on bringing new business and leisure travellers from the States to the Middle East.”
The A340-500 is configured with two aisles and can carry 240 Guests with 12 in Diamond, 28 in Pearl and 200 in Coral zone.
Etihad will fly to Terminal 4 at New York’s JFK Airport, which is the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s 35th international destination.
Flight EY 503 will depart Abu Dhabi International Airport every day at 14:15, arriving in New York at 21:25. The return flight EY 504 then departs at 23:10 arriving the next day in Abu Dhabi at 20:25.
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is the world’s leading new airline and currently offers flights for Guests and cargo to 45 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.
Etihad Crystal Cargo – www.crystalcargo.ae – offers a comprehensive range of cargo services throughout Etihad’s network, and services its many all-cargo destinations and world-wide charters with a fleet of modern regional freighter aircraft.
Etihad Holidays - www.etihadholidays.com - offers a range of innovative holiday options in 82 destinations including skiing, fly-drives, cruises, tours, stopovers, inbound programmes and city breaks.
Through these exciting divisions, Etihad Airways is changing the way people see the world.
Etihad Airways has been awarded the titles of the world’s leading new airline in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and the world’s leading flat-bed seat in 2006 by the World Travel Awards.
For more information about this award-winning aviation group, please visit www.etihadairways.ae.
