Etihad Airways to deploy new A380 to Sydney from 01-Jun-2015

Etihad Airways confirmed (28-Aug-2014) its new A380 services to Sydney would start on 01-Jun-2015. The A380 will initially operate Etihad Airways' daily service between Abu Dhabi and Sydney - EY454 (Abu Dhabi to Sydney) and EY455 (Sydney to Abu Dhabi) - replacing the Boeing 777-300 which the airline currently deploys on the route. In turn, a 777-300 aircraft will operate the airline's four times weekly Abu Dhabi-Sydney services - EY450 and EY451 - which together with the daily A380 and partner airline Virgin Australia's three weekly 777 flights offer a double daily option. These fleet changes will increase weekly capacity on the high-demand Sydney route by 1320 making a total of 4784 seats in each direction. They will also see the introduction of Etihad Airways' new product and service offering in its first, business and economy cabins - including The Residence by Etihad. Etihad Airways president and CEO James Hogan said: "The new living spaces on our A380s will raise inflight product and service standards to the highest level ever in commercial aviation and change forever travellers' expectations of air travel. Ours are not only the most advanced aircraft cabins in the industry, they meet all weight, range and cost targets at our desired seat count." Reservations for the new A380 Abu Dhabi-Sydney services opens on 28-Aug-2014. Etihad's A380 is configured with 496 seats: Two in The Residence by Etihad, nine in the First Apartments, 70 in Business Class Studios, and 415 in economy class. Etihad Airways has 10 Airbus A380s on firm order, the first of which will be delivered in Dec-2014. The aircraft will initially operate services between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow, starting with flights EY11 and EY12 from 27-Dec-2014, EY17 and EY18 from 01-Mar-2015, and EY19 and EY20 from 01-May-2014. [more - original PR]