Etihad Airways has launched a new Etihad US Preclearance Lounge at Zayed International Airport (AUH). The new lounge was created specifically to improve the “travel experience for passengers flying to the United States.”
Catering to US fliers
Etihad is improving its luxury travel experience on the ground by launching a new lounge dedicated to travelers flying to the United States, a highly profitable market.
The new lounge, which is just steps away from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, will serve a refined variety of beverages and light eating options. When asked about the new lounge at AUH, John Wright, Chief Operations & Guest Officer at Etihad Airways, said:
“This new lounge marks another milestone in our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for our guests. By combining our premium lounge service with the convenience of U.S. Preclearance, we’re offering our guests an elevated journey through Abu Dhabi before they even board their flight. Zayed International is the only Middle East hub to offer this time-saving service.”
According to the airline, the facility would also provide direct boarding from the lounge for select flights. Notably, Abu Dhabi’s US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility is one of the few in the world.
It allows passengers to fulfill all US customs and immigration processes prior to boarding at AUH, saving time when they arrive in the United States.
Who’s eligible?
Not unexpectedly, the lounge will only be available to customers going to the United States. It welcomes passengers flying in The Residence, first or business class.
Platinum and Emerald members of the Etihad Guest program are also invited to use the lounge. It is also worth noting that access can be purchased, depending on availability.
Where does Etihad fly in the US?
Etihad now operates flights to four US destinations: Boston (BOS), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), New York (JFK), and Washington, DC (IAD). Notably, Etihad is the only carrier offering direct flights from Abu Dhabi to these four US locations, giving it a competitive advantage.
Etihad utilizes a range of widebody aircraft on various itineraries, but its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners serve as the backbone of the airline’s long-haul network. Etihad currently operates a rather large fleet of 33 Boeing 787-9s and 10 Boeing 787-10s.
In addition, the carrier is expecting eight 787-9 and twenty 787-10 aircraft. Boeing is now experiencing delays in the delivery of 787 Dreamliners.
Notably, the UAE carrier’s longest US route is 7,275 miles (11,708 kilometers) between Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). The most popular route leads to New York (JFK).
Etihad Airways is currently flying a fleet of Airbus A380 superjumbos on this route.
According to ch-aviation data, Etihad Airways presently operates 10 Airbus A380s, five of which are in active service. During the global pandemic, the airline opted to withdraw its A380 fleet due to unsustainable economics at the time.
However, when air travel demand increased, the UAE’s second largest airline was compelled to reinstate the high-capacity Airbus A380s, which were the only aircraft capable of matching demand on some routes.
Etihad resumed flying the double-decker quadjet in July 2023, when it flew from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow (LHR), the famed slot-constrained, premium, high-volume market.
