TORONTO — Etihad Airways has officially introduced its iconic Airbus A380 on daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Toronto, marking a significant boost in capacity ahead of its 20th anniversary.
Touching down at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Tuesday, June 24, the inaugural A380 flight was met with a ceremonial water-cannon salute, celebrating the arrival of Etihad’s flagship A380 in Canadian skies for the first time.
The move increases capacity on the route by 31% and brings Etihad’s most luxurious inflight offering to the Canadian market. The A380 includes the airline’s award-winning First Apartments and The Residence — the only three-room suite in commercial aviation.
According to Etihad, the enhanced service responds to strong and growing demand for travel between the UAE and Canada, particularly across business, leisure and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) sectors.
“We are proud to introduce the A380 and offer guests flying between Abu Dhabi and Canada an extraordinary new travel experience with Etihad,” said Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways. “Toronto has been a cornerstone of our North American network since 2005, when we became the first airline from the Gulf region to operate flights to Canada. The introduction of our flagship aircraft on this route reflects our deep commitment to the Canadian market.”
The four-cabin A380 features 486 seats, including:
- The Residence – A private three-room suite featuring a living room, bedroom and ensuite bathroom with shower
- First Apartments – Nine fully enclosed suites with 80-inch lie-flat beds and a separate ottoman seat
- Business Studios – Seventy lie-flat seats with aisle access, fine dining and access to The Lobby, a serviced inflight lounge
- Economy Smart Seats – 405 seats with fixed-wing headrests and adjustable support, including 68 extra legroom seat
Travellers can also take advantage of Etihad’s Abu Dhabi stopover programme, which includes complimentary hotel stays and the opportunity to explore the UAE capital’s cultural sites, beaches, and attractions.
