Etihad Airways will operate two flights a day between Abu Dhabi and Sydney from 15 December, adding four weekly services to the current 10.
The increase will give the carrier more than 5,000 seats a week in each direction, all on the Airbus A350-1000.
The airline has served Sydney since 2007. The extra frequencies are timed for the Australian summer holiday period and line up with Etihad’s morning and evening connecting banks in Abu Dhabi, offering same-day connections to destinations across the Gulf, Middle East and Europe, including Zurich, Geneva, Milan, Rome, Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Manchester and Dublin.
Onward connections within Australia and New Zealand are available via interline partners Qantas, Jetstar and Air New Zealand.
Etihad chief revenue and commercial officer Arik De said the additional service would strengthen connectivity through Abu Dhabi and give travellers greater flexibility.
“More flights mean more opportunities to explore new destinations, reconnect with family and friends, do business across continents, or break up the journey with a memorable stopover,” he said.
The carrier is also promoting its Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers connecting passengers a complimentary hotel stay of one or two nights and now includes Al Ain.
Business class features a private suite with a 79-inch lie-flat bed, wireless charging and an 18.5-inch screen, while economy seats are 17.4 inches wide with a 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen. Wi-Fi is available throughout the aircraft.
Etihad also operates a daily Abu Dhabi–Melbourne service on the Boeing 787.
