Etihad Adds New 777 Flights to 2nd Most Populated City in the World

Etihad Airways (EY), the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will resume and expand services to Dhaka, Bangladesh with a seasonal widebody operation from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) beginning 26 June 2026. The four‑times‑weekly flights are to be operated by Etihad’s Boeing 777 aircraft, offering substantial passenger seating and cargo capacity as part of the airline’s broader strategy to enhance connectivity across the South Asia corridor.

This expansion responds to strong and sustained demand from passengers, expatriate communities and exporters, particularly in Bangladesh’s robust garment and textile sectors, while reinforcing AUH as a pivotal transit node linking South Asia with the Middle East, Europe and North America. The seasonal service will operate through 24 October 2026, supporting both business and leisure travel as well as trade‑driven cargo flows.

Etihad 777 to Dhaka: Schedule and Route Details

Under the new schedule, Etihad will deploy its widebody Boeing 777 fleet on the Abu Dhabi–Dhaka route:

• Flight EY382: AUH 22:00 → DAC 04:50+1 — Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
• Flight EY383: DAC 21:35 → AUH 00:40+1 — Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday

The aircraft will offer a configuration with 28 Business and 374 Economy seats, ensuring ample bellyhold space for cargo in addition to passenger services. This arrangement underscores the dual priority of passenger comfort and trade support on a route of significant economic importance.

According to data from planespotters, Etihad has 14 Boeing 777s in its fleet- eight of these are freighters. The remaining are of the Boeing 777-300ER types and these average 15.1 years.

Registration	Aircraft Type	Configuration	Entry Into Service	Age
A6-ETA	Boeing 777-300ER	C28Y374	May 2023	20.4 Years
A6-ETE	Boeing 777-300ER	C28Y374	Nov 2023	20.2 Years
A6-ETG	Boeing 777-300ER	C40Y330	May 2011	15 Years
A6-ETH	Boeing 777-300ER	C40Y330	Sep 2011	14.7 Years
A6-ETI	Boeing 777-300ER	C40Y330	Jan 2012	14.3 Years
A6-ETJ	Boeing 777-300ER	C40Y330	Feb 2012	14.2 Years
A6-ETP	Boeing 777-300ER	C40Y330	Jun 2013	12.9 Years
A6-ETQ	Boeing 777-300ER	C40Y330	Sep 2013	12.6 Years
A6-ETS	Boeing 777-300ER	F8C40Y280	Sep 2014	11.6 Years

Strategic and Economic Implications of Etihad’s Dhaka Services

Etihad’s relaunch of Dhaka services follows the suspension of flights to DAC during late 2023, when operations were halted; the seasonal renewal thus marks a strategic reconnection with a key market.

According to Etihad’s chief executive, Antonoaldo Neves, the AUH–DAC link is “strategically important” due to its role in facilitating travel for the substantial Bangladeshi diaspora in the UAE, the United Kingdom, Italy and North America, and in supporting export‑oriented sectors such as textiles.

The CEO emphasized that deploying capacity where demand is highest serves dual aims of strengthening trade flows and enhancing passenger connectivity:

“This service allows us to deploy capacity where it is most needed, strengthening trade flows between Bangladesh, the UAE and key global markets. The route plays an important role in supporting export-driven industries, particularly in sectors such as textiles, while enhancing Abu Dhabi’s connectivity across South Asia.”

The route will support not only point‑to‑point passengers but also those connecting via Abu Dhabi to global destinations, thereby complementing Etihad’s wider network growth and market rebuilding efforts. The cargo capacity of the Boeing 777’s bellyhold is expected to benefit Bangladesh’s export industry by providing reliable access to international markets.

Impact on Passenger and the Community

The Bangladesh–UAE air corridor remains a crucial link for family travel, business trips and repatriation flights, particularly given the sizeable expatriate Bengali community in the UAE.

In addition, enhanced connectivity through AUH presents improved opportunities for travellers from South Asia seeking onward connections to destinations such as Europe and North America.

By restoring and expanding flights to Dhaka, Etihad is responding to both diaspora travel demand and evolving trade dynamics.

All in All

Etihad’s Dhaka expansion comes amid a wider programme of network growth following earlier announcements of new global routes and frequency increases, including destinations across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

This broader strategy aims to position Abu Dhabi as a primary gateway for international travellers and global cargo movements. The combination of passenger services and cargo capacity on the AUH–DAC route reflects a balanced approach to market‑responsive expansion. Here’s how the carrier configures its 777s operated to Dhaka:

Attribute	Business	Economy
Seats	40	330
Pitch	73″	31–33″
Width	20″	17–18″
Recline	180°	3″
Notes	Plush seating, exquisite dining, top-tier entertainment system, exceptional crew service.	Spacious cabin, optimized for relaxation, extensive entertainment options, attentive crew.

Data: Seat Maps