Etihad Airways Launches New Service Between Abu Dhabi and Krabi, Thailand
- Joe Breitfeller
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Etihad Airways has concluded a landmark week of global growth with the successful launch of flights to Krabi, Thailand, celebrating four new routes in one week, including Sumatra (Medan, Indonesia), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).
On Monday (October 13, 2025), Etihad Airways, the national flag carrier of the UAE, announced a landmark week of global growth with the successful launch of flights to Krabi, Thailand, celebrating four new routes in one week, including Sumatra (Medan, Indonesia), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). The inaugural flights to all four new destinations were sold out. In the last 12 months alone, Etihad Airways launched service to 31 new destinations. The carrier will launch new service to Kabul in December, as well as to Damascus, Palma de Mallorca and Zanzibar in the first half of 2026.
In Monday’s announcement, Etihad Airways’ CEO, Antonoaldo Neves, said,
“This was an extraordinary week for Etihad as we bring four vibrant new cities onto our global map, a clear demonstration of our vision in action. We are here to connect people, cultures, and economies. By launching four new routes in four different countries in just one week, we’re showing how Etihad is becoming more agile, more ambitious, and more accessible. These route launches demonstrate how our strategic investments in modern aircraft like the A321LR are enabling us to grow quickly and efficiently, supporting us in our mission to reach over 125 destinations by 2030, taking us beyond the borders of what people thought possible.”
Etihad’s rapid network expansion had been made possible by the addition of brand-new Airbus A321LRs to their fleet, unlocking access to exciting, underserved markets across Asia and further enabling Etihad’s ambitious growth strategy. The three launches across Southeast Asia (Sumatra, Phnom Penh and Krabi) are all operated by this modern, fuel-efficient aircraft.
Etihad’s new Airbus A321LRs bring Etihad’s signature premium cabins and extraordinary hospitality to the routes. The A321LR features a three-cabin configuration, including Etihad's first-ever narrowbody First Suites with private, enclosed spaces with sliding doors, fully-flat beds, and bespoke design touches normally reserved for long-haul widebody operations. Guests can also book Etihad’s enhanced First Deluxe service which offers a personal Concierge, Etihad Global Chauffeur, Meet and Assist and more exclusive benefits for First passengers.
Source: Etihad Airways
