Foodie fans, rejoice! After a week of social media teasers, keeping fans and fellow travellers thinking, guessing and hoping, Etihad Airways has finally announced its 10 news destinations, marking a historic moment for the airline! How many did you guess?
1. Atlanta, USA (2 July 2025)
The state capital of Georgia, Atlanta, is a bustling metropolis and a major business and transportation hub. Known for its Southern hospitality, Atlanta boasts a thriving tech scene, professional sports teams, craft breweries, and dining spots. The state of Georgia is also famous for its charming small towns, historic plantations, and rich agricultural heritage.
2. Taipei (7 September 2025)
Taipei is a bustling metropolis known for its modern skyline dominated by Taipei 101, as well as its lively night markets and historic temples. The cityβs blend of traditional and contemporary culture makes it a fascinating destination.
3. Medan, Indonesia (2 October 2025)
The vibrant gateway to island of Sumatra, Indonesia, offering rich cultural diversity, colonial-era architecture, and a thriving food scene renowned for its local delicacies like rendang and durian. It provides easy access to breathtaking natural wonders, including Lake Toba and the orangutans of Bukit Lawang.
4. Phnom Penh, Cambodia (3 October 2025)
The vibrant capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, blends historic charm with modern energy, featuring stunning landmarks like the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. Its riverside promenade, lively markets, and emerging culinary scene make it a captivating destination for history enthusiasts and cultural explorers.
5. Krabi, Thailand (9 October 2025)
Located in southern Thailand, Krabi is famous for its stunning limestone cliffs, clear waters, and beautiful beaches like Railay and Ao Nang. The area is a haven for outdoor activities such as rock climbing, snorkeling, and island hopping.
6. Tunis, Tunisia (1 November 2025)
The vibrant capital of Tunisia, Tunis, is known for its bustling medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with souks, mosques, and historic buildings. The nearby ruins of Carthage offer a fascinating journey into ancient history.
7. Chiang Mai, Thailand (3 November 2025)
Located in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is the countryβs cultural heart, renowned for its ancient temples, vibrant night markets, and lush mountainous surroundings. The cityβs Old Town is a cultural treasure trove with historic walls and moats.
8. Hanoi, Vietnam (3 November 2025)
The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, is known for its centuries-old architecture and rich culture influenced by Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French traditions. The bustling Old Quarter and serene Hoan Kiem Lake are central to the cityβs charm.
9. Hong Kong (3 November 2025)
A dynamic city where East meets West, Hong Kong offers a stunning skyline, bustling markets, and a rich culinary scene. Victoria Peak provides breathtaking views of the harbour and skyscrapers.
10. Algiers, Algeria (7 November 2025)
The capital of Algeria, Algiers, boasts a stunning blend of historic architecture and traditional Islamic influences. The Casbahβs narrow streets offer a glimpse into its rich history, while the Mediterranean coastline provides beautiful views and a relaxing atmosphere.
The addition of these ten new destinations brings the total number of destinations served by Etihad including operating and announced passenger and freighter services to 93
We don’t know about you, but we think it’ll be a difficult task to pick which destination to visit first. So many choices!
β2025 marks a pivotal year for Etihad, with more than 90 destinations in over 50 countries, a fleet of more than 110 aircraft β including our amazing new A321LRs β welcoming over 20 million guests onboard. Most importantly, it will support us in bringing over a million visitors to Abu Dhabi to enjoy our home.β – Antonoaldo Neves, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group.
The routes …
Here’s quick cheat sheet to help you work out what starts when and how often Etihad will fly.
| Destination | Start Date | Frequency | Aircraft Type |
| Atlanta | 2 July | 4 x weekly | A350 |
| Taipei | 7 September | Daily | 787 |
| Medan | 2 October | 3 x weekly | A321-LR |
| Phnom Penh | 3 October | 5 x weekly | A321-LR |
| Krabi | 9 October | Daily | A321-LR |
| Tunis | 1 November | 3 x weekly | A321-LR |
| Chiang Mai | 3 November | 4 x weekly | A321-LR |
| Hanoi | 3 November | Daily | A321-LR |
| Hong Kong | 3 November | 5 x weekly | 787 |
| Algiers | 7 November | 4 x weekly | A321-LR |
Note, booking on some routes will be progressively added to the GDS, and online booking systems are subject to regulatory approval.
What does this all mean?
- Developing point-to-point traffic for UAE – Most of the new routes will be unique destinations, meaning non-stop travel to and from Abu Dhabi for guests. This is great news for the local tourism sector, and supporting the broader goals of Abu Dhabi Tourism (DCT) to increase number of visitor nights.
- Focus on leisure destinations – The network additions will be warmly welcomed by a rapidly expanding population who call Abu Dhabi home. Locals and expats all eagerly seek novel travel escapes and will now be able to enjoy the combination of Etihad’s quality onboard experience with the convenience of being able to fly from the sparkling Zayed International Airport (AUH) which recently celebrated it’s first anniversary.
- Supporting EY’s European network – following a recent increase in frequencies to a number of their European destinations (plus the recent announcement of services commencing to Warsaw and Prague), the addition of destinations popular with European leisure travellers will make Etihad an appealing option for the large and stong yielding European market. Increasing traffic volume between Europe and Asia in both directions with also help Etihad deepen their key trade relationships with wholesalers, leisure agents and OTA’s from both continents.
- Timing is everything – a number of the new flights are especially timed to provide early morning arrivals into Phenom Penh, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Taipei, Algiers and Tunis, typically between 6am to 10am. This has the added benefit of enabling travellers to make it to their final destination around check-in time and avoids wasting a night’s accommodation.
- Atlanta, USA – perhaps the greatest surprise announcement of the day would be Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). A new destination never before serviced by Etihad, Atlanta is also headquarters for Delta Airlines (DL), the Coca-Cola Company, UPS, and Home Depot. Etihad hopes to tap into local corporate accounts whilst adding another brick to their east-coast centric US network. Etihad currently benefits from being the only airline accessing the sole USCBP facility in the region, allowing travellers to clear US customs and immigration before departing the UAE. This is a significant competitive advantage for Etihad when attracting US bound visitors, particularly those connecting via their dominant South Asian network. What is curious, though, is the selection of Atlanta over former gate-way Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) given the latter’s ability to offer greater connectivity via Etihad’s code-share partner American Airlines. Atlanta is also an interesting move following Riyadh Air’s (RX) recent announcement of a partnership with Delta Airlines.
Etihadβs expansion is set to bring tens of thousands of new visitors directly to Abu Dhabi, boosting its position as a premier destination for leisure, business, and cultural tourism. The move aligns with the UAE capitalβs efforts to attract international travellers and reinforces its reputation as a hub of connectivity, innovation, and hospitality.
“The launch of these ten destinations is supported by our impressive hub, Zayed International Airport, which boasts the ‘wow’ factor and ample space to accommodate our rapid growth, further enhancing the exceptional guest experience,β said Neves.
Additionally, it offers more guests the chance to take advantage of Etihadβs free stopover offer, where travellers booking flights with Etihad can easily add a stopover and choose a complimentary hotel stay for one or two nights from a selection of premier hotels across the city.
Also read: Etihad Airways reports 66% rise in profits and celebrates first successful year at AUH’s Terminal A
