Etihad Airways has brought its flagship A380 aircraft back to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, elevating the travel experience between Abu Dhabi and the French capital. This strategic move strengthens the connection between these two influential destinations and marks a significant enhancement in premium air travel offerings.
The iconic A380, spanning 73 metres in length and standing 24 metres tall, brings back Etihad’s most luxurious offerings to the Paris route.
Among its standout features is The Residence – the only three-room suite available in commercial aviation, setting new standards in luxury air travel. First and Business class passengers can also enjoy The Lobby, an exclusive social space on the upper deck designed for networking and relaxation at 40,000 feet.
The A380’s return to Paris holds special significance, as this engineering marvel was designed and built in Europe, with final assembly taking place in Toulouse .This homecoming celebrates France’s remarkable achievements in aviation technology and reinforces the strong aerospace partnership between France and the UAE. 
Paris remains a crucial destination in our network, known for its unique style and atmosphere, said Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways. Bringing back the A380 enhances our service between Abu Dhabi and Paris, showing our dedication to this important route and our commitment to providing unparalleled travel experiences.
This A380 deployment comes along with our expanded European network. This includes year-round, double-daily flights to major cities like Milan, Rome, Manchester, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Barcelona, and Madrid. It shows our strong growth in Europe. We’re seeing increased demand from France, with more exciting developments planned before 2024 ends.
The UAE and France enjoy robust connections across multiple sectors, including education, culture, and commerce. A unique cultural bond links Abu Dhabi and Paris as the world’s only cities featuring Louvre museums.
The route serves growing tourism demands and strengthens business relationships, particularly in aviation, energy, and luxury industries, facilitating increased trade and cultural exchange between the nations. The A380’s return brings a 31% capacity increase to the route. From January 15, 2025, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will join the service, with both aircraft offering three-class configurations
The A380 provides 486 seats, including nine First Apartments, and 70 Business Studios. This complements 405 Economy Smart seats, with 68 extra-legroom options. The Dreamliner complements this with 8 First Suites, 28 Business Studios, and 190 Economy Smart seats.
Combined, these aircraft will offer nearly 5,000 weekly seats, significantly improving connectivity between both capitals. Travelers can explore Abu Dhabi’s year-round sunshine and diverse attractions, from cultural landmarks to modern entertainment venues. Passengers can connect seamlessly to worldwide destinations through this global hub.
Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Stopover program further enhances the travel experience. It offers up to two complimentary nights at premium hotels. The program aims to showcase Abu Dhabi as a destination worth exploring.
This initiative has successfully transformed transit passengers into tourists, contributing to the emirate’s growing tourism sector. This Paris route enhancement marks another step forward in Etihad’s mission to deliver premium travel experiences. It further reinforces the UAE carrier’s position in the upper bracket luxury aviation segment.
