Etihad Airways announced that it will reintroduce its signature Airbus A380 aircraft to its Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) service from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH).
The aircraft features the airline’s famous premium product, The Residence, the only three-room suite in the sky. The superjumbo jet’s upper deck also includes The Lobby, an exclusive lounge area for the airline’s first and business class guests.
According to Etihad, the return of the A380 increases the route’s capacity by 31%, with an additional three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner joining the service from January 15, 2025.
Both aircraft will operate in a three-class configuration, with the signature Etihad First Class experience available on all frequencies. The A380 offers 486 seats, including nine First Apartments, 70 Business Studios, and 405 Economy Smart seats with 68 extra-legroom options, while the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner features eight First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 190 Economy Smart seats.
“As a city celebrated for its style and ambiance, Paris continues to be a key destination in our global network. The return of our A380 strengthens the travel offering between Abu Dhabi and Paris, reflecting our commitment to this important route,” Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways said in a statement.
“The return of the A380 to Paris and our broader network expansion plans, including increasing to year-round, double-daily frequencies to Milan, Rome, Manchester, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Barcelona, and Madrid, demonstrate our strong growth momentum in Europe. This enhanced capacity reflects the rising demand we’re seeing in France, with more exciting announcements to come before the end of 2024,” De added.