Etihad Airways (EY/ETD) is one of two national airlines of the United Arab Emirates—alongside Emirates (EK/UAE)—and was founded in 2003. Since then it has rapidly grown into one of the world’s leading airlines. Based in Abu Dhabi (AUH), Etihad is renowned for its commitment to luxury, innovation, and high-quality service to passengers. The airline operates an extensive network that connects the Middle East with key destinations across Europe, Asia, North America, and beyond. Over the years, Etihad has developed a reputation for its premium cabin offerings, including The Residence, the first three-room suite seen on passenger aircraft. With a strategic focus on long-haul travel and a diverse fleet, Etihad continues to play a pivotal role in global aviation.
The Etihad Airways fleet
| Type | Number of aircraft |
|---|---|
| Airbus A321neo | 6 |
| Airbus A320 | 14 |
| Airbus A321 | 9 |
| Airbus A350-1000 | 5 |
| Airbus A380-800 | 6 |
| Boeing 777F | 5 |
| Boeing 777-300ER | 9 |
| Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | 33 |
| Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner | 10 |
Etihad Airways operates a fleet of 97 aircraft as of October 2024, combining both Airbus and Boeing models to support its diverse range of services. The majority of its fleet is focused on wide-body, long-haul operations. On the Boeing side, the airline currently operates 33 Boeing 787-9 (B789) and 10 Boeing 787-10 (B78X) aircraft, alongside nine Boeing 777-300ER (B77W) and five Boeing 777-200LR (B77L), offering high capacity and extended range for long-distance routes. Etihad’s Airbus fleet includes six Airbus A321neo (A21N), 14 Airbus A320 (A320), nine Airbus A321 (A321) aircraft, and five Airbus A350-1000 (A35K) aircraft. Etihad also retains six Airbus A380-800 (A388). The average age of the Etihad fleet is 8.8 years according to data from IBA Insight. Let’s take a closer look at the fleet and identify the newest and oldest aircraft in service.
The newest aircraft
The newest widebody in the Etihad fleet is A6-BNF, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner built in November 2023. Based in Abu Dhabi (AUH), the aircraft operates daily to destinations including Mumbai (BOM), Washington (IAD) and Rome (FCO).
The newest narrowbody in the Etihad fleet is A6-AES, a 3-year-old Airbus A321neo built in June 2021 as MSN12284. The aircraft operates daily flights to destinations such as Amman (AMM), Colombo (CMB), and Muscat (MCT) from its base in Abu Dhabi. This aircraft was originally operated by Bamboo Airways (QH/BAV) as VN-A228.
The oldest aircraft
The oldest widebody jet in service at Etihad is A6-ETA, an 18-year-old Boeing 777-300ER built in November 2005. Built as MSN 34597, the aircraft operates daily to destinations including Manila (MNL), Dublin (DUB), and Phuket (HKT) from its base in Abu Dhabi.
The oldest narrowbody aircraft in the Etihad fleet is A6-EIA. This Airbus A320-200 was built in January 2003 as MSN 01944. Also based in Abu Dhabi, the aircraft is still a workhorse of the fleet, operating daily to destinations including Kuwait City (KWI), Al-Qassim (ELQ), and Doha (DOH).
What about the A380?
The airline operates 6 Airbus A380-800 jets, dwarfed by its neighbor Emirates (who operate 121 examples, the largest A380 fleet in the world). The newest of which is A6-APJ, built in January 2017. This aircraft is most commonly deployed on flights to London (LHR), New York (JFK) and Mumbai (BOM). The oldest A380 in service is A6-APE, which was built in May 2015. Etihad has been gradually reactivating its A380 fleet since early 2023, with 5 aircraft active at the time of writing.
Have you flown with Etihad? Tell us about your experience in the comments.
Cover photo: Paul Kalbitz, JetPhotos.
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