04 Dec 2014 11:30
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has commenced a non-stop service between Abu Dhabi and Dallas/Fort Worth, the airline’s sixth destination in the United States.
Guests onboard
the inaugural flight were presented with a commemorative certificate, while an
official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place last night at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport,
hosted by the airport’s Chief Executive
Officer, Sean Donohue.
A senior
delegation from the airline, as well as dignitaries, including His Excellency
Abdulla Alsaboosi, Consul General of the UAE and Geert Boven, Senior Vice President – The Americas, Etihad
Airways also participated in the
inauguration ceremony.
The
introduction of the Dallas/Fort Worth route further bolsters Etihad Airways’ US
network and meets growing demand from travellers in the Middle East and Indian
Subcontinent. The new service will also help strengthen the economic links
between Abu Dhabi and the US, providing enhanced access for the technology
sector and oil and gas industry.
Guests
flying to Dallas/Fort Worth from Abu Dhabi International Airport will enjoy the
enhanced convenience of the purpose-built United States
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at Terminal 3. Abu Dhabi is one of few airports outside the
US to offer pre-clearance, which allows all immigration, customs and agriculture inspections
to take place in Abu Dhabi prior to departure. Guests then arrive in the US as
domestic passengers, allowing for faster processing.
Etihad Airways’ three
flights a week service to Dallas/Fort Worth is operated using a three cabin ultra-long range Boeing 777-200LR, configured to carry 237
guests, with eight First Class suites, 40 Business Class flatbed seats, and 189
Economy Class seats.