Etihad Airways Top 10 Busiest Routes in 2025, No.5 Will Surprise You

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ABU DHABI- Etihad Airways (EY) continues to solidify its global presence in 2025 with a powerful and strategically connected network.

The airline has steadily built a reputation for exceptional service, modern fleet management, and a growing footprint across key markets. As of April 2025, Etihad serves 93 destinations across 53 countries, demonstrating its ambition and reach.

Etihad Airways has a current operating fleet of 98 aircraft, including the latest Airbus and Boeing models. Etihad is preparing for a strong future with 97 additional aircraft on order, which includes 10 Airbus A350F freighters aimed at boosting its cargo division, Etihad Cargo.

Etihad 10 Busiest Routes

Let’s dive into Etihad’s Top 10 busiest routes based on weekly one-way seat capacity, giving a deeper insight into where demand is strongest and how the airline positions itself across various strategic markets.

1. London Heathrow – Abu Dhabi

At the top of the list is, as usual, the London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi route. This connection is Etihad’s busiest sector. Etihad operates four daily flights to Heathrow. The service features a mix of the luxurious Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft.

Two daily flights are operated with the flagship A380, offering passengers Etihad’s award-winning First-class Apartments, Business Studios, and Economy Smart Seats. The other two flights are operated by the Boeing 787-10s.

With 9,093 weekly one-way seats, the London route is vital for Etihad, tapping into strong business and leisure traffic between the UK and the UAE. It also serves as a key connecting point for travelers heading to Australia, Southeast Asia, and Africa via Abu Dhabi.

2. Abu Dhabi – Bangkok

The Abu Dhabi to Bangkok route remains one of Etihad’s most important services in Asia. Bangkok, with its vibrant tourism, continues to attract large numbers of travelers. Etihad operates three daily flights on this route.

The airline operates a carefully balanced schedule to meet both daytime and evening demand. The airline deploys a mix of Boeing 777-300ERs, Boeing 787-9s, and Boeing 787-10s, ensuring a good blend of capacity and comfort.

With 6,981 weekly one-way seats, this route serves not only point-to-point travelers but also a significant number of passengers connecting beyond Abu Dhabi to Europe and Africa.

3. Mumbai – Abu Dhabi

Mumbai’s bustling financial and entertainment industries make it a critical city for Etihad Airways. The Abu Dhabi to Mumbai sector features four daily flights, ensuring excellent connectivity for both business and leisure passengers.

The airline smartly utilizes a mix of Airbus A320-200 narrow-body aircraft for quick shuttle services and wide-bodies like the Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 787s for offering premium long-haul connections.

The Mumbai route accounts for 6,796 weekly one-way seats, playing a vital role in connecting the large Indian expatriate population and offering seamless onward travel to Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

4. Abu Dhabi – New Delhi

Another key Indian route for Etihad is the Abu Dhabi to New Delhi service. India’s capital city, a major political, economic, and tourism hub, remains an essential part of Etihad’s South Asia strategy. Etihad operates four daily flights, featuring a mix of Airbus A320-200s for quick regional connectivity and larger wide-bodies like the Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner for enhanced passenger comfort.

With 6,685 weekly one-way seats, the route supports a strong flow of business, VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives), and tourist traffic, making it one of Etihad’s busiest South Asian connections.

5. Phuket – Abu Dhabi

Phuket, one of Thailand’s most popular leisure destinations, sees significant demand from Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Recognizing this, Etihad operates a robust schedule of 20 weekly flights from Phuket to Abu Dhabi.

Most of these services are operated by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with a single weekly service using the larger Boeing 777-300ER.

The Phuket route contributes 5,880 weekly one-way seats and is heavily favored by tourists heading to Thailand’s pristine beaches. It also offers efficient connections for Thai passengers traveling onward via Abu Dhabi.

6. Riyadh – Abu Dhabi

As two major Gulf capitals, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi maintain strong diplomatic, business, and personal ties. Etihad operates four daily flights between these cities, using a combination of Airbus A320-200s and the larger A321neos. This intra-Gulf route remains crucial for business executives, government officials, and regional travelers.

With 5,248 weekly one-way seats, Riyadh stands as Etihad’s most significant Middle East regional market, reflecting the close relationship between the two nations.

7. New York and Paris – Abu Dhabi

Interestingly, Etihad’s service connecting New York and Paris to Abu Dhabi collectively makes it into the top 10 busiest sectors. Each of these major world cities is served by two daily flights. Etihad operates the luxurious Airbus A380, allowing passengers to enjoy world-class amenities, including The Residence, the only three-room suite in the sky.

On the second flight, a three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner ensures premium comfort for travelers. These sectors account for 4,984 weekly one-way seats, reflecting strong demand between the UAE and key financial and cultural hubs in Europe and North America.

8. Abu Dhabi – Jeddah

The Abu Dhabi to Jeddah route is another essential Gulf connection, especially significant for religious travelers heading to Saudi Arabia’s holy cities. Etihad operates four daily services using a mix of Airbus A320-200s and A321-200s.

These narrow-body jets are perfect for regional flights for such short-haul routes. With 4,956 weekly one-way seats, the Jeddah service is not only vital for pilgrimage traffic but also sees strong volumes from business travelers and tourists heading into Saudi Arabia’s expanding cultural tourism sector.

9. Abu Dhabi – Milan

Italy’s fashion and financial capital, Milan, maintains strong business and tourism traffic for Etihad. Etihad operates two daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Milan. The airline deploys a mix of Boeing 787-9s, Airbus A350-1000s, and Boeing 777-300ERs across the week.

The variety of aircraft allows the airline to flexibly adjust capacity according to the fluctuation of demand.

This route delivers 4,624 weekly one-way seats, reflecting the robust flow of premium and leisure traffic between Italy and the UAE, as well as onward connections through Etihad’s Asian and Australian network.

10. Abu Dhabi – Rome

Completing the top 10 is the Abu Dhabi to Rome sector, another vital connection between the UAE and Italy. Etihad operates two daily flights here as well, with one flight operated by a Wamos Air Airbus A330-200 (under a wet lease agreement) and the other by Etihad’s Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner.

The Rome route accounts for 4,620 weekly one-way seats and is an important gateway for tourists traveling to and from Italy. The route is also a vital one for business passengers connecting to Etihad’s long-haul network.

Bottom Line

In 2024, Etihad celebrated a significant financial success, clocking a net revenue of US$6.9 billion and carrying 18.5 million passengers — its second-highest annual figure after 2017. This recovery and expansion trajectory firmly places Etihad among the top players in the aviation world.

Etihad Airways is clearly leaning on a strong combination of frequency, aircraft flexibility, and destination diversity. With its A380 superjumbo re-entering the fleet, modern 787 and A350 fleets, and upcoming A350F freighter additions, Etihad is positioning itself for both passenger and cargo market dominance.

The airline’s focus on maintaining premium offerings on long-haul routes while ensuring high-frequency operations on shorter regional flights creates an efficient, revenue-maximizing model.

Moreover, Etihad consistently expands into leisure-heavy markets like Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Krabi starting in October. This, alongside traditional business markets like London and New York, suggests a dual-pronged growth strategy catering to both ends of the travel market.

In 2025 and beyond, Etihad Airways seems firmly on course to not just recover but to thrive, leveraging its extensive Middle Eastern hub to connect travelers seamlessly across the globe.

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