Etihad marks record week of growth with sold-out launches to four new destinations

Etihad Airways has capped an unprecedented week of expansion by inaugurating four new routes to Sumatra (Medan), Phnom Penh, Addis Ababa, and Krabi, with every inaugural flight sold out. The new Krabi service, launched on 9 October, marks Etihad’s 11th new destination in 2025, expanding its global network to 86 destinations and reinforcing its ambition to reach 125 by 2030.

All Southeast Asian routes are operated by Etihad’s new Airbus A321LR, featuring First Suites, lie-flat Business, and next-generation Economy cabins—a first for the airline’s narrowbody fleet. The aircraft’s fuel-efficient design enables Etihad to tap into underserved regional markets with premium service and optimal capacity.

CEO Antonoaldo Neves hailed the launches as proof of Etihad’s agility and global ambition: “By adding four new cities in one week, we’re connecting more people, cultures, and economies, and showing what Etihad’s next chapter looks like.”

The expansion follows a year of rapid growth, with 31 new destinations announced in the past 12 months and more to come—including Kabul, Damascus, Palma de Mallorca, and Zanzibar by mid-2026. To celebrate, Etihad has launched the “Extraordinary Challenge”, offering Etihad Guest members the chance to win up to five million miles by visiting multiple new destinations before May 2026.