Etihad Airways has announced the introduction of its Airbus A380 service to Mumbai as part of its 20-year celebration of flying to India. The carrier’s superjumbo will operate on this route for four months, starting on September 1, 2024.
This announcement aligns with the airline reactivating more of its Airbus A380s and expanding its services throughout its route network.
Three-Weekly Flights
To mark 20 years of flying to India, Etihad Airways will offer a special four-month service to Mumbai, the first Indian city served by the airline. Three weekly flights between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Mumbai (BOM) are planned. The Airbus A380 will operate on this route three days a week for four months.
Etihad has also announced special Airbus A380-themed fares. First class round-trip fares from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai are AED 8,380 and INR 190,383 from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi. Business class round-trip fares are AED 2,380 and INR 50,381, respectively. These fares are available until August 25 for travel between September 1 and October 13, 2024. The UAE-based airline currently offers nonstop services between Abu Dhabi and 11 Indian cities and plans to expand further.
Etihad’s Airbus A380 Fleet
Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, recently questioned the viability of the Airbus A380 in its fleet in the post-pandemic era. This skepticism was shared by most A380 operators, except for Emirates and British Airways. However, as many carriers decided to bring the A380 back into operation, Etihad followed suit.
Etihad’s fleet currently consists of 10 Airbus A380 double-deckers with an average age of nine years. According to ch-aviation data, the airline has reinstated just four of these superjumbos into active service. By early 2025, Etihad plans to have a total of six Airbus A380s reactivated.
The carrier’s Airbus A380s can accommodate a total of 486 passengers in a four-class cabin configuration: 11 in first class, 70 in business class, 80 in economy plus, and 325 in economy class, as per ch-aviation data. The upper deck of the A380 features 70 private Business Studios suites, designed with Armani/Casa and offering WiFi connectivity. The journey is enhanced by The Lobby lounge area, providing a refined and productive travel experience.
