OREANDA-NEWS. November 06, 2013. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), announced the launch of direct flights to Los Angeles.  The expansion of its U.S. operation will see the airline commence nonstop daily flights between its Abu Dhabi home-base (AUH) and Los Angeles (LAX) from June 1, 2014, subject to regulatory approvals.

Los Angeles will become Etihad Airways’ fourth U.S. destination, joining Chicago, New York and Washington D.C, and will see the airline provide 28 return flights each week between the UAE and the United States.

The announcement was made by James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ president and chief executive officer in Los Angeles.  Hogan said, “We are delighted to add Los Angeles, a major U.S. and global destination with a significant metropolitan population and growing economy, to the Etihad Airways network in 2014.  This expansion will see Etihad Airways offer air travelers daily flights, from our Abu Dhabi hub, to four destinations across the U.S."

“We are thrilled Etihad Airways chose LAX, gateway to the world, for this new, historic service,” said Gina Marie Lindsey, Los Angeles World Airports executive director.  “Etihad joins an impressive list of international air carriers that are now able to offer passengers an improved and exceptional level of customer service with the opening of the new Tom Bradley International Terminal.”

The new air service will increase Etihad Airways’ operations in the U.S. market by 33 percent and will cater to growing leisure and business traffic demands in Los Angeles, as well as the city's considerable catchment area.

Los Angeles, one of the world’s most iconic, popular, and multicultural destinations with a metropolitan population area of more than 18 million people, is the second largest in the U.S.  It is classified as a "global city’ with strengths in business, international trade, entertainment, culture, media, fashion, science, sports, technology, education, medicine and research.

“The new service will also offer maximum connectivity, via Abu Dhabi, with 25 Etihad Airways destinations across the Middle East region and Indian Subcontinent, 12 of which are in India, catering to the demand from Los Angeles’ diverse and multicultural population.”

Etihad Airways, four times voted World’s Leading Airline,** will deploy a three-cabin, ultra-long range Boeing 777-200LR on the Los Angeles route.  The aircraft will be configured to carry 237 guests, with eight Diamond First Class suites, 40 Pearl Business Class flatbed seats, and 189 Coral Economy Class seats.