Etihad Airways announces new flights from Charlotte, NC to Abu Dhabi
Starting in May 2026, Etihad Airways will launch four weekly flights connecting Charlotte with the UAE. Etihad will become the first airline to offer direct flights between the Queen City and Abu Dhabi. The route will operate four times per week on the airline’s flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Charlotte is the sixth American destination serviced by Etihad, joining New York, Chicago, Washington, Boston and Atlanta, which launches in July. The flights are expected to have early morning departures with midday returns, according to Etihad. The flights are expected to be 15 hours with prices starting around $1,500, the airline said.
Later today, #CLTairport will be announcing a new *AIRLINE* servicing a brand new *INTERNATIONAL* route on an aircraft new to operations at CLT! ✈️🌍 Any guesses as to where and who it might be? pic.twitter.com/vIqnPxAB74
— CLT Airport (@CLTAirport) May 16, 2025
“Charlotte represents a strategic addition to our U.S. network, unlocking direct access to one of the country’s most dynamic and fast-growing regions,” Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves said in a press release. “We’re excited to be the first airline from our region to serve this market, and we look forward to connecting more travelers to Abu Dhabi and beyond.”