The route debuts this summer, providing guests with nonstop access to the Krasnodar Krai region, home to stunning summer beaches and lush mountains, as well as winter skiing and snowboarding in the nearby Caucasus Mountains, made famous by the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Etihad will fly three-times a week* between Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Sochi International Airport (AER), timed to optimise a leisure break in summer or winter.
The Russian Riviera resort offers a mix of natural beauty and cultural history and will become a popular choice for guests seeking relaxation and adventure. This new route further underlines Etihad’s commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences and expanding access to exciting new markets.
The flights are on sale now and will operate three-times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays using one of the airline’s modern A320 family aircraft, with eight seats in Business and 150 in Economy, and all guests enjoying Etihad’s award-winning service onboard.
The announcement is the latest new route unveiled by Etihad and is the fourteenth new destination the airline will add to its thriving network this year. Etihad will also commence flights to metropolises including Atlanta, Hanoi, Hong Kong and Taipei, as well as to the European capitals of Prague and Warsaw. Expanding its network across north Africa, Etihad will begin flying to Algiers, Tunis and Al Alamein.
Additionally, Etihad will bolster its network across Southeast Asia, with new connections directly to stunning holiday locations including Chiang Mai and Krabi in Thailand, Medan on the island of Sumatra and the cultural city of Phnom Penh. These join existing popular destinations across South East Asia including Phuket and Bangkok.
The new route gives more opportunity for guests to visit Abu Dhabi, either as a stopover or a destination. Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Stopover programme further enhances connectivity, enabling travellers to extend their layovers into memorable stays with up to two complimentary nights at premium hotels in Abu Dhabi.
Soaring demand sees Etihad go daily to Atlanta
Etihad Airways’ new service to Atlanta, which is set to launch four-times a week on 2 July, is proving so popular that the airline has decided to make it a daily flight from 1 November.
The frequency increase on the route between Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the UAE’s only non-stop connection to Atlanta and will provide even greater flexibility and convenience for travellers.
The service will be operated using the airline’s latest Airbus A350-1000 featuring 44 Business class seats and 327 economy seats, promising extraordinary experiences and award-winning service for guests in all cabins.
Jurriaan Stelder, Senior Vice President Network and Alliances at Etihad Airways, said: “Since announcing our flights to Atlanta in November, we’ve seen great interest from guests, and that’s why we have decided to step up to daily flights on this already very popular route.
“Connecting Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest by passenger volume, with our growing global network means seamless one-stop connections to some of Atlanta’s most popular South Asian destinations including Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai and Karachi.
It also offers more opportunities for guests to visit our wonderful home Abu Dhabi as part of a stopover break or a longer holiday.”
Fares from Abu Dhabi to Atlanta start at AED 1,925 in Economy and AED 10,010 in Business Class*.
Atlanta, Georgia’s dynamic capital, is a bustling metropolis and a major hub for business, technology, and transportation. The city blends Southern hospitality with a vibrant cultural scene, offering everything from professional sports and craft breweries to exceptional dining and entertainment. Beyond the city, Georgia is home to charming small towns, scenic landscapes, and a deep, diverse history waiting to be explored.
Flying with Etihad to the U.S. offers the unique advantage of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility. By completing all U.S. customs and immigration formalities before boarding in Abu Dhabi, guests arrive in the States as domestic passengers, saving valuable time upon arrival. Guests can simply collect their bags and go or proceed seamlessly to their connecting flights.
The move to daily flights to Atlanta is part of Etihad’s continued growth plans which include newly-announced routes to 13 other global destinations this year.
Flights are on sale now.
Etihad reports January 2025 traffic statistics
Etihad Airways has also released its traffic statistics for January 2025, starting the year with continued strong performance.
The airline welcomed 1.7 million guests during the month, an 18 per cent rise on the same period last year, and a passenger load factor of 89 per cent compared to 86 per cent for January 2024.
Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said: “We saw a strong traffic result for January, signalling continued upward momentum, with a particularly robust passenger load factor as guests continue to choose to fly with Etihad. Alongside these strong figures, I am delighted to note continued growing guest approval, with January at a record level for customer satisfaction. We also announced further increase in frequencies to our network, including plans to go triple-daily to Milan from November, 2025 and four-daily to Bangkok from February 2026.”
| Jan-24 | Jan-25 | |
| Passengers | 1.5 million | 1.7 million |
| Passenger load factor | 86% | 89% |
| Operating fleet size | 85 | 98 |
| Passenger destinations | 69 | 73 |
Tags: Zayed International Airport, Sochi International Airport, Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad Airways
