ETIHAD Airways will fly daily to New York from October 26.
The city is the airline’s second North American destination after Toronto. Other new routes to be launched later in 2006 include Osaka and Shanghai.
“The announcement of this new destination is a significant milestone for Etihad Airways. By connecting Abu Dhabi and New York (JFK Airport), we are once again illustrating the ambitions we have at Etihad Airways to service the world’s most strategically important cities and regions,” said Dr Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saif Al Nahyan, chairman of Etihad Airways.
Trade between the US and the UAE amounted to $10 billion in 2005, the second largest US trading partner in the GCC behind Saudi Arabia. More than 500 American companies in the UAE are set to benefit from Etihad’s daily service.
Etihad Holidays will offer passengers a multitude of options which include some of New York’s best located hotels such as the Waldorf Astoria, the Hilton on Times Square and the New Yorker.
The route will be operated on the new purpose-built Airbus 340-500, configured with two aisles and can carry 240 guests in a three-zone configuration.
Revolving seat
The new aircraft is one of the airline’s first to offer the luxurious revolutionary Diamond zone seat which can rotate 180 degrees, enabling guests to hold meetings, share group meals and converse with one another. Each seat is fitted with, among other features, a privacy shell, a 23” personal LCD video screen, a six-way movement headrest with built-in massage facility, an integrated personal mirror, pneumatic lumbar support, reading light, besides being able to recline into a luxurious 6ft 1” flat bed at the touch of a button.