Etihad Airways flagship Airbus A380 makes grand return to Paris

By Grant Jones

Etihad Airways has welcomed the return of its iconic A380 aircraft, the world’s largest passenger plane, to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Measuring 73m long and 24m high, the Airbus A380 marks its return to the Paris route with the inflight features, including The Residence – the world’s only three-room suite in the sky. The upper deck of UAE’s national carrier also features The Lobby, an exclusive lounge area for First and Business class guests.

Designed and manufactured in Europe, with final assembly in Toulouse, the return of the A380 celebrates French aerospace engineering and innovation.

“As a city celebrated for its style and ambiance, Paris continues to be a key destination in our global network,” Arik De, chief revenue and commercial officer of Etihad Airways, said. “The return of our A380 strengthens the travel offering between Abu Dhabi and Paris, reflecting our commitment to this important route.

“The return of the A380 to Paris and our broader network expansion plans, including increasing to year-round, double-daily frequencies to Milan, Rome, Manchester, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Barcelona, and Madrid, demonstrate our strong growth momentum in Europe. This enhanced capacity reflects the rising demand we’re seeing in France, with more exciting announcements to come before the end of 2024.”

The UAE and France share strong bilateral ties across culture, education, and business sectors. A unique cultural bridge connects the two capitals as the only cities in the world to house a Louvre Museum. The route caters to growing demand from leisure travellers and the strong business ties between the two countries, particularly in the aviation, energy, and luxury sectors.

The return of the A380 increases the route’s capacity by 31 per cent, with an additional three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner joining the service from 15 January 2025.

Both aircraft will operate in a three-class configuration, with the signature Etihad First Class experience available on all frequencies. The A380 offers 486 seats, including nine First Apartments, 70 Business Studios, and 405 Economy Smart seats with 68 extra-legroom options, while the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner features 8 First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 190 Economy Smart seats.

Together, these aircraft will offer nearly 5,000 seats weekly, significantly boosting connectivity between the two capitals.

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a380 etihad airways Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport