Etihad adds A380 services to Sydney, New York, Paris

Etihad Airways  plans to expand Airbus A380 services to Sydney, New York and Paris as it restructures the way it operates the popular double-decker superjumbo. The airline announced today that all 14 weekly flights between Sydney and its hub in Abu Dhabi would be operated by the 496-seat aircraft from October 29 as it marks its 10^th anniversary of Australian operations. But the airline confirmed its Airbus A380 service to Melbourne would be replaced by a two-class Boeing 787 Dreamliner from October 29. This will make it the third Australian Australian destination after Brisbane and Perth to be served by the next-generation aircraft. Australia’s biggest city joins London and New York as all-A380 operations for Etihad. All three daily services to London Heathrow are operated by the superjumbo and the second New York service will be upgraded to the A380 from June 1. A380 flights to Paris launching in July will also move from a seasonal basis to year-round on March 25 next year. Also losing out is Mumbai, where the current A380 service operating one of its three-times daily services will be replaced by an A340-600 during the summer season and Boeing 777-300ER during winter. Both aircraft are in a three-class configuration. The superjumbo will initially be deployed on one of the twice-daily Abu Dhabi – Paris flights during the peak summer period between July 1 and October 28. It will return to the route from December 15 to February 15, before becoming a permanent fixture six weeks later. The Sydney deployment will replace a 328-seat Boeing 777-300ER, adding capacity to the route and offering passengers the chance of a seamless A380 service on the long trip to London. The plane was introduced to Sydney two years ago and features an up-market business jet alternative, The Residence, which features a living room, bedroom and shower. There are also nine luxurious first class suites, 70 “business Studios’’ and 415 economy seats. “Sydney is one of our busiest and best performing long-haul routes where we have experienced increased demand, particularly in our premium cabins, since the launch 10 years ago,’’ Etihad chief executive Peter Baumgartner said in a statement. “By introducing the A380 on the second daily flight, we are able to ensure our flagship product is on all of the Sydney services each week. The upgrade of this service will help fulfill growing demand, benefiting travellers to and from Abu Dhabi, and across Etihad Airways’ global network.” Etihad will ultimately have a fleet of 10 A380s.