City is fifth US gateway for carrier

Etihad Airways has arrived in Atlanta for the first time, expanding its US footprint and making the city the fifth gateway in the country for the carrier. It joins New York, Chicago, Washington DC and Boston.

Guests traveling from Abu Dhabi benefit from the convenience of the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facility at Zayed International Airport — the only one of its kind in the region. This allows passengers to clear US immigration and customs before departure, arriving in the US as domestic travelers and saving time on arrival.

The Atlanta route launched with four flights per week, but record-high load factors and strong early bookings, according to the carrier, have prompted Etihad to fast-track expansion, with daily flights set to commence beginning in November. Demand from both leisure and corporate segments has exceeded expectations, the carrier said.

Antonoaldo Neves, CEO, said the new service “enhances access to the southeastern United States while offering seamless connections across the Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Asia.”

The new service is operated using Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. Business Class offers 44 Business Suites, each with a sliding door providing each passenger with enhanced privacy. In addition to having direct aisle access, every seat converts into a fully flat bed of 79 inches in length, with ample storage. Seats also offer noise-canceling headphones, an 18.5-inch TV screen, a built-in wireless charging dock and Bluetooth headphone pairing.

The aircraft also have 327 Economy Smart Seats with an “innovative” recline and 13-inch touch screens with Bluetooth headset pairing.