Abu Dhabi has become much easier to reach in 2025, as Etihad Airways expands its partnerships with major airlines like American Airlines, Air Canada, Air Europa, and JetBlue Airways. Starting August 1, 2025, these new agreements bring more flights, better loyalty rewards, and smoother travel for people flying to and from Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Airways now works with 25 partner airlines, the most of any airline not in a formal alliance. With over 40 codeshare agreements, Etihad connects Abu Dhabi to more than 100 cities directly and over 300 cities through its partners. Recent deals include partnerships with Ethiopian Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Air Seychelles, Akasa Air, TAP Air Portugal, and Sky Express. These moves make Abu Dhabi a true global hub.
Travelers from North America now have more options than ever. Etihad serves five U.S. cities directly: New York (JFK), Washington D.C. (IAD), Chicago (ORD), Boston (BOS), and, starting July 2, 2025, Atlanta (ATL). The Atlanta route will operate four times a week using the Airbus A350-1000. Thanks to codeshare and loyalty partnerships with American Airlines, Air Canada, and JetBlue Airways, travelers can book flights, earn miles, and use rewards across all these networks.
Etihad has also grown its presence in Europe. In January 2025, the airline secured a daily slot at London Heathrow by leasing it from American Airlines. This allows Etihad to operate up to five daily flights between Abu Dhabi and London during the busy summer season. The new service, EY703, starts with an Airbus A321, but experts believe Etihad may use larger planes if demand grows.
Loyalty programs are now more rewarding. Etihad Guest members can earn and use miles on flights operated by American Airlines, Air Canada (Aeroplan), Air Europa, JetBlue Airways (TrueBlue), and other partners. American Airlines AAdvantage members can also earn and use miles on Etihad flights, with clear earning rates based on the ticket type. This makes it easier for frequent flyers to get value from their miles, no matter which airline they use.
On July 1, 2025, Etihad announced a new loyalty partnership with Vietnam Airlines, expanding its reach in Asia. In the same month, Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad launched a codeshare partnership, making it easier to travel between Africa and the United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪.
Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, explained the impact of these partnerships: “Every partnership we build strengthens the connectivity, choice and experience for our guests, while positioning Abu Dhabi as a key world destination. Through our strategic partnerships, we have brought major international airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Air Seychelles, Air Europa and Akasa Air to Abu Dhabi. These partnerships are not only expanding access to critical markets such as China, North America, Africa and Europe, they are also contributing directly to the growth of Abu Dhabi’s tourism, affirming the city’s role as a hub for innovation, tourism and global business.”
For travelers, these changes mean:
- Greater Connectivity: Abu Dhabi is now linked to hundreds of cities worldwide, either by direct flights or easy connections through partner airlines.
- Loyalty Benefits: Passengers can earn and use miles across a wide network, making frequent flying more rewarding.
- U.S. Preclearance: Travelers flying from Abu Dhabi to the United States 🇺🇸 can use the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facility. This means they arrive in the U.S. as domestic travelers, saving time and hassle.
- More Flight Choices: With new routes like Atlanta and extra London Heathrow flights, travelers have more options for both business and leisure trips.
Abu Dhabi itself benefits from these changes. The city is attracting more tourists and business travelers, helping it grow as a center for tourism and global business. Zayed International Airport (AUH) is becoming a major international gateway, handling more flights and passengers than ever before.
Booking and using loyalty programs is now simpler:
- Booking Flights:
- Travelers can book Etihad flights directly or through partner airline websites. Codeshare flight numbers make it easy to find the best route.
- Award flights can be booked using Etihad Guest miles, AAdvantage miles (American Airlines), Aeroplan points (Air Canada), or TrueBlue points (JetBlue Airways), depending on the route and partnership.
- Earning Miles:
- Miles are earned based on the type of ticket and distance flown. Each airline has detailed tables showing how many miles you get for each fare.
- Booking codes and eligibility for earning miles are listed on each airline’s website.
- Redeeming Miles:
- Miles can be used for flights, seat upgrades, and other rewards across the partner network.
Etihad’s approach has changed over the years. The airline used to buy stakes in other airlines but now focuses on flexible codeshare and loyalty partnerships. This lets Etihad grow its network without owning other companies. The rapid expansion in 2024 and 2025 shows a new focus on making the most of market opportunities, like leasing slots at busy airports such as Heathrow.
Looking ahead, Etihad is expected to announce more new routes in 2025. The airline is also reviewing which planes to use on its busiest routes, with possible upgrades to larger jets if needed. More codeshare and loyalty partnerships are likely, making Abu Dhabi even more accessible.
For official information, travelers can visit the Etihad Airways website for booking, news, and loyalty program details. American Airlines AAdvantage members can learn about earning and using miles with Etihad on the American Airlines partner page. For U.S. Preclearance details, travelers can check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance page.
Aviation experts see Etihad’s partnership strategy as a smart way for airlines outside big alliances to grow globally. Slot leasing and codeshare deals help airlines adjust quickly to market needs. Loyalty experts say the expanded programs give travelers more ways to earn and use rewards, making flying more attractive.
Key numbers for 2025:
- Direct Etihad destinations: Over 100
- Destinations via partners: Over 300
- Partner airlines: 25 (loyalty), 40+ (codeshare)
- U.S. cities served directly: 5 (JFK, IAD, ORD, BOS, ATL)
- London Heathrow flights: Up to 5 daily in summer
- Etihad fleet size: 107 aircraft (July 2025)
As reported by VisaVerge.com, Etihad Airways’ partnerships with American Airlines, Air Canada, Air Europa, JetBlue Airways, and others have made Abu Dhabi one of the world’s easiest cities to reach. Travelers now enjoy more choices, better rewards, and smoother journeys thanks to this growing global network. For anyone planning a trip, these changes mean more flexibility and value, whether flying for business or leisure.
This Article in a Nutshell
