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Etihad Airways Boeing 787

Etihad Airways Adds Charlotte Flights From May 2026

May 18, 2025 John Cushma 1260
Etihad Airways Boeing 787

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Etihad Airways is continuing its U.S. expansion — and its latest destination might surprise you.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline has just announced that it will launch nonstop service between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Charlotte (CLT) in 2026, making North Carolina’s largest city its sixth U.S. destination.

Etihad Will Launch Charlotte Flights In May 2026

Beginning May 4, 2026, Etihad will operate 4x weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Charlotte. The route will be served by a Boeing 787-9 featuring 28 business class seats and 262 economy seats.

Flight Schedule:

As with all U.S.-bound Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi, passengers will benefit from U.S. CBP Preclearance, allowing them to arrive in Charlotte as a domestic arrival.

Tickets are now on sale at etihad.com.

How Charlotte Fits Into Etihad’s U.S. Strategy

Etihad’s U.S. network continues to grow. The airline already flies to:

Charlotte will mark the carrier’s sixth U.S. destination, and notably, the first service by a Gulf airline to the city.

CLT is a major hub for American Airlines, and while Etihad and American do have a partnership, the announcement doesn’t mention American at all. That’s especially curious, considering Qatar Airways — a closer partner of American — has not launched service to Charlotte.

Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves commented:

“Charlotte represents a strategic addition to our U.S. network, unlocking direct access to one of the country’s most dynamic and fast-growing regions. We’re excited to be the first airline from our region to serve this market.”

A Curious Expansion Strategy

Etihad’s U.S. growth pattern appears to be focused on fortress hubs — Boston (JetBlue), Atlanta (Delta), and now Charlotte (American). Still, its selective network has some puzzling omissions:

  • No restoration of former West Coast service to Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Dallas

  • No current plans for expansion west of the Mississippi

The 787-9’s efficiency certainly helps make thinner ultra-long-haul routes like this more viable, but Charlotte is not a traditional launch city for Middle Eastern carriers.

What’s even more interesting is that Etihad’s partnership with American has been relatively quiet in recent years, especially compared to Qatar Airways and American, who are in a far more integrated relationship. So why Charlotte now?

  • No Gulf competition in CLT

  • Large catchment area with international travel potential

  • One-stop connectivity to South Asia, the Middle East, and beyond

Still, it’s hard not to wonder what Qatar Airways passed on that Etihad sees differently. And while Delta hasn’t partnered with Etihad (despite Atlanta service), the carrier continues to chart its own path through U.S. gateways.

Bottom Line

Etihad Airways will begin flying 4x weekly between Abu Dhabi and Charlotte as of May 2026, using a Boeing 787-9. This marks yet another expansion into a major U.S. airline hub — this time into American Airlines’ territory, but without any mention of a strengthened partnership.

It’s a bold and somewhat unexpected move — but one that further signals Etihad’s commitment to rebuilding its global long-haul network.

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