New destinations you can fly to with Etihad Airways

If you’ve been thinking about your next trip out from the capital, Etihad has been busy adding more options from Abu Dhabi. There are new routes to look forward to, more frequent flights on some existing services and new partnerships that make it easier to get around once you arrive.

From a quick escape to Salalah to new ways to reach Africa, Eastern Europe and beyond, here’s what’s new on the Etihad network.

New seasonal flights to Salalah

Etihad has officially launched its direct route to Salalah, Oman. The flight takes just under two hours from Abu Dhabi, and the airline is bumping up the schedule to five flights a week to match the annual Khareef season, which typically runs from June to September.

If you’re heading there during this period, you’ll get a very different side of the region. The coast gets frequent mist, cooler weather and the landscape turns green across the hills, making it a popular escape from the scorching UAE heat.

Kabul schedule expanding to twice-daily flights

Demand for the Kabul route has been high since flights started in March. To handle the volume, Etihad has doubled its schedule to a twice-daily service.

The new schedule covers both morning and afternoon slots, giving you a choice of departure times that can work around family plans or your work schedule.

Direct routes to Uzbekistan

Flights from Abu Dhabi to Tashkent now run daily, with special fares starting at AED 365 one-way or AED 730 return in Economy, valid for travel through the end of September. 

A new tie-up with Uzbekistan Airways also lets you book a single ticket that connects you to eight historic cities beyond Tashkent, including Samarkand and Bukhara.

Etihad brings back the A380 for the Bangkok route

Etihad Guest has teamed up with Bangkok Airways, giving you a chance to use your Etihad miles for domestic flights to spots such as Koh Samui and Krabi.

If Bangkok is on your winter travel list, there’s more to look forward to. To handle the busy winter season, Etihad is bringing its double-decker A380 back to the Bangkok route this October, with dedicated dining spaces and private shower amenities to make your journey a bit more comfortable.

More of Africa is now within reach

Etihad is adding six new African destinations to its network, with routes launching between November 2026 and March 2027. You’ll soon be able to fly direct from Abu Dhabi to Asmara in Eritrea, Lagos in Nigeria, Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Accra in Ghana, and Harare in Zimbabwe, with the Harare service also extending to Lubumbashi in the DRC.

And there are more ways to get around once you land. A new partnership with Fastjet Zimbabwe lets you book onward flights to Bulawayo, Victoria Falls and Johannesburg on a single ticket.

New direct flights to Romania and beyond

Etihad is launching a new direct service to Bucharest on 17 December 2026. Thanks to a brand-new partnership with TAROM, the Romanian flag carrier, you can grab a single ticket that connects you straight to six cities across Romania and four major Eastern European capitals, including Budapest and Belgrade.

Etihad is flying to Gothenburg this winter

If Sweden has been on your travel list, Etihad is making Gothenburg a little easier to get to. Direct seasonal flights from Abu Dhabi start on 17 December 2026, running four times a week until 21 March 2027.

It’s Etihad’s 15th new destination of the year, with the route operated by the airline’s A321LR. You’ll find fully flat beds in First and Business, 4K screens in Economy and high-speed Wi-Fi across all cabins.

It’s also the first direct air link between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg, putting Sweden’s west coast within easy reach. Once you arrive, there’s seafood, the Haga district’s wooden streets and an archipelago you can explore by ferry.

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