Etihad Airways has announced a significant expansion of its Italian network with the addition of a third daily flight to Milan- Malpensa Airport (MXP) from its home base of Abu Dhabi-Zayed International Airport (AUH). Commencing on November 1, 2025, the increase in the frequency of flights between the two cities will see the carrier offer up to 12,600 seats per week between Abu Dhabi and Milan, representing a year-on-year capacity increase of almost 115%.
The new third daily service will operate on a combination of Boeing 777-300 and Airbus A321LR aircraft from Etihad’s fleet. The A321LR, which will added to Etihad’s fleet later in 2025 in time for the start of the new services will offer a spacious new cabin design unique to the type, which Etihad describes as offering a “premium boutique experience with its innovative cabin design and latest comfort features.”
According to an airline statement discussing the new third daily service, “Milan captivates visitors with its perfect blend of historic grandeur and contemporary innovation. From the magnificent Duomo cathedral to the cutting-edge design districts, from high-end fashion boutiques to artisanal workshops, the city offers endless discoveries. World-class shopping at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, avant-garde art exhibitions, and the city’s renowned culinary scene make every visit memorable.”
Etihad states that the schedule for the third daily flight has been designed to maximize convenience for both business and leisure travelers. Overall, Etihad will have daily departures for Milan leaving at 02:45, 09:10, and 14:25. These flights arrive in Milan at 06:40, 13:15, and 18:20 respectively. For the return flights, there are departures from Milan at 09:55, 15:10, and 21:50 arriving in Abu Dhabi at 19:00, 00:25 (+1), and 06:55 (+1).
“With our morning, afternoon, and evening departures from Abu Dhabi and sensational value fares, our triple-daily Milan flights serve up perfect timings for guests traveling in both directions,” said Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways. “This enhanced schedule gives travelers more options to explore Abu Dhabi and connect to our growing global network while strengthening vital links between two dynamic cities.”
In what is likely to prove to be a landmark year for Etihad, the Gulf-based airline is already pressing ahead with a bold expansion plan for the year. In the past three months alone, the carrier has announced the commencement of direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi in Kenya, the signing of a codeshare deal with Kazakhstan-based carrier Air Astana, and in November 2024, unveiled plans for new services to ten new destinations for 2025 in a single day including Algiers, Atlanta, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Krabi, Medan, Phnom Penh, Taipei and Tunis.
The airline’s fleet currently stands at 104 aircraft in total with a further 98 on order which includes 20 Airbus A321LRs, 15 A350-1000s, eight 777-8s, 17 777-9s, 20 787-10s, and a further eight 787-9s.