Etihad Airways has launched nonstop services between Abu Dhabi and Charlotte, North Carolina, expanding its US network with the airline’s Airbus A350-1000. The inaugural flight arrived at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on 20 March 2026, marking Etihad’s entry into the North Carolina market.
The new route provides direct connectivity between Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi and Charlotte, while linking the southeastern United States with Etihad’s wider network across the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Asia. The airline said the service will support both passenger and freight connectivity.
The A350-1000 used for the inaugural operation features Business Class with fully flat beds and direct aisle access, along with an Economy cabin offering 327 seats. The aircraft’s fuel-efficient design and next-generation engines also support Etihad’s efforts to operate more efficient long-haul services.
The Abu Dhabi–Charlotte service initially operated four times weekly. Strong demand following the launch prompted Etihad to increase the route to daily flights from June 15, underlining the airline’s confidence in the US market.
The service also benefits from US Customs and Border Protection preclearance at Abu Dhabi, allowing eligible passengers to complete US immigration and customs formalities before departure and arrive in Charlotte as domestic passengers.
For the cargo sector, the new route creates an additional direct air link between the US Southeast and Etihad’s extensive international network through Abu Dhabi, potentially improving access to markets in India, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
The launch makes Charlotte the airline’s sixth US destination, strengthening Etihad’s North American network and adding another gateway for trade and travel between the United States and Asia via Abu Dhabi.