Here’s Where You Can Fly Etihad’s Exquisite Airbus A380 Superjumbo Jet

During the initial waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines worldwide quickly began pulling their gigantic Airbus A380s out of service. Demand for flying was at historic lows, and there was no need for the largest commercial jet ever created to criss-cross the globe.

As the airline industry emerged from the pandemic, several airlines retired their A380s forever, though a few have reintroduced the lauded aircraft back into their fleets.

Etihad Airways of Abu Dhabi has put a portion of its fleet of A380s back into service. Currently, the airline has a total of 10 of the superjumbos, with 6 remaining in storage and 4 actively flying for the airline.

Limited to just 4 Etihad A380s plying the skies, your opportunities to experience this aircraft are limited. The jet currently operates routes between the airline’s global hub in Abu Dhabi and London. Soon, the airline will return to Boston on March 31, 2024, then New York on April 22, 2024.

With only 2 available routes, flying on Etihad’s A380 in 2024 is even more of an exclusive experience than it has ever been in the past. Let’s run through everything you need to know about Etihad’s A380 and where to find it.

Why Flying on Etihad’s A380 Is Great

The Airbus A380 has a stellar reputation among flyers. It’s the world’s largest commercial aircraft, with plenty of space on board — even in the economy cabin. It’s known for providing one of the smoothest and quietest rides in the sky, even though it has 4 massive engines powering it.

But flying on Etihad’s A380 is even more special — without a doubt one of the holy grails of flying — especially if you can swing it in a premium cabin.

These jets boast one of the most exclusive configurations in the industry, with perhaps the single most aspirational flying product in all of commercial aviation: The Residence, a 3-room suite designed for 2 people that features an ensuite shower space, a separate living room, and a true double bed.

Even if you’re not flying in The Residence, you won’t exactly be slumming it in first or business class. In first, you’ll luxuriate in a private suite, known as The Apartment, have access to an onboard shower, and enjoy some of the finest food and drink available at 35,000 feet.

In business, you’ll have a private area with a seat that turns into a lie-flat bed, the latest and greatest in inflight entertainment, an elevated food and beverage menu, and high-end amenities, all of which ensure you’ll arrive at your destination refreshed and ready to take on the day.

Even in economy, Etihad passengers are treated to a great experience, with the airline providing more amenities than most of its competitors and the A380 providing a more comfortable and spacious flying experience.

Where To Find Etihad’s A380s

With just 4 A380s flying for Etihad, your opportunities to fly this special aircraft are limited. Understandably, Etihad only flies these planes specifically designed to carry numerous premium passengers to destinations where it has the best opportunity to capture the largest amount of these types of flyers.

The jet has flown between its hub in Abu Dhabi (AUH) and London Heathrow (LHR) for several months, and in just a few weeks, it’ll resume flying to New York (JFK). It makes perfect sense for Etihad to place its most premium aircraft on these routes, as these 2 cities are some of the most premium-heavy markets in the world, with a healthy flow of business travelers and well-heeled leisure flyers.

Abu Dhabi to London

Etihad flies 4 daily nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi and London. You can find the A380 on 3 of the 4 daily frequencies. Here’s a look at the specific departures you’ll need to book to experience the A380 on the roughly 7-hour journey to London:

• EY11 — Departs AUH at 2:40 a.m. local time (red-eye)
• EY19 — Departs AUH at 8:05 a.m. local time
• EY17 — Departs AUH at 2:05 p.m. local time

To get the most out of this experience, we recommend aiming for EY19 or EY17, with EY17 being the preferred option. With such an awesome flying experience — especially in a premium cabin — you’ll want to be as awake as possible to soak up every minute of luxury.

The 2:05 p.m. departure is the best option, the 8:05 a.m. departure second best, and the 2:40 a.m. departure the least favorable, as you’ll want to sleep as much as possible on a flight with that schedule.

Departing from London, here are the A380 options you’ll have:

• EY12 — Departs at 9 a.m. local time
• EY20 — Departs at 1:55 p.m. local time
• EY18 — Departs at 8:55 p.m. local time (red-eye)

Using the same logic as above, your best options here are choosing either EY12 or EY20 so you can maximize the amount of time you’ll have to experience the Etihad A380 while fully awake.

Abu Dhabi to New York

Etihad flies nonstop twice daily between Abu Dhabi and New York. Come April, the A380 will operate one of the 2 daily flights. Here’s a look at the 1 option you’ll have for experiencing the A380 on the approximately 14-hour journey from Abu Dhabi to New York:

• EY103 — Departs at 2:55 a.m. local time (red-eye)

Etihad is operating from a brand-new terminal and boasts all-new lounge spaces at its Abu Dhabi home.

Fortunately, from New York, the A380 flight departs at a much more hospitable time:

• EY102 — Departs at 3:30 p.m. local time

While New Yorkers don’t have as much choice as Londoners when it comes to maximizing time experiencing all the Etihad A380 has to offer, the flight between New York and Abu Dhabi is about double the duration of flights to and from London.

There’s much more time to do it all: geek out in your seat, eat, drink, sleep, shower, enjoy the inflight entertainment, and maybe even get some work done if you can find the focus to do so.

How To Fly Etihad’s A380

If you’re hoping to fly in one of Etihad’s premium cabins, expect to pay handsomely for it. First class The Apartment tickets can easily cost over $10,000 one-way, with a journey in The Residence running well over $25,000 each way.

However, you can pay for these flights with points and miles — and rates can be reasonable depending on how you book. Through Etihad’s Guest program, you can expect to redeem 110,000 Etihad Guest Miles for business class and 220,000 Miles for first class on the New York to Abu Dhabi service,

Fortunately, eligible American Express Card members can transfer their American Express Membership Rewards^® points* to Etihad Guest at a 1:1 ratio. Here are a few of our favorite Amex consumer cards:

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• With American Express Global Lounge Collection^® you can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion^® Lounge, Unlimited Delta Sky Club^® Access when flying an eligible Delta flight, Escape Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass™ Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges subject to visit limitations. Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express^® App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

BEST FOR DINING

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $1,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Final Thoughts

Etihad’s Airbus A380 is one of the most exclusive and special jets flying today. We’re thrilled to see it flying for the airline again, even if it is to just 2 cities globally.

We can only hope that the airline brings more of the superjumbos back into service, and we start to see its A380 routes proliferate around the globe once again.

For now, if you want to experience the Etihad A380 for yourself, make sure you’re flying between Abu Dhabi and either New York or London. And before you book, pay attention to the flight numbers to ensure you’ll be enjoying all the superjumbo has to offer.

*Membership Rewards^® Program

Terms and Conditions for the Membership Rewards^® program apply. Visit membershiprewards.com/terms for more information. Participating partners and available rewards are subject to change without notice.

The value of Membership Rewards points varies according to how you choose to use them. To learn more, go to www.membershiprewards.com/pointsinfo.