Etihad to Fly Abu Dhabi-Sydney Twice Daily From December

Etihad Airways will fly between Abu Dhabi and Sydney twice a day from 15 December 2026, in time for the Australian summer holidays.

The UAE national airline currently flies the route 10 times a week. Adding four more flights gives travellers two departures every day. All Sydney flights use the Airbus A350, and the airline says there will be more than 5,000 seats a week in each direction.

Etihad has flown to Sydney since 2007. Its other Australian route is a daily Boeing 787 service to Melbourne.

Built around connections

The second flight is timed to fit Etihad’s morning and evening connection waves in Abu Dhabi. These are the periods when many flights arrive and depart close together, so passengers can change planes quickly.

From Sydney, travellers can reach the Gulf and the wider Middle East, India and its neighbours, Africa and Europe on the same day. Among the European cities Etihad lists are London, Manchester, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Rome and Dublin.

Going the other way, passengers arriving in Sydney can continue across Australia and New Zealand with Etihad’s interline partners Qantas, Jetstar and Air New Zealand. An interline agreement lets passengers book a single ticket that covers flights on two airlines.

Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, said the extra flights give travellers more choice for trips between Australia and the Etihad network. He also said they make it easier to stop over in Abu Dhabi.

The stopover is a large part of Etihad’s sales pitch. Under its Abu Dhabi Stopover programme, transit passengers can add one or two free hotel nights. On 17 September, Etihad and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said more than 310,000 visitors had used the offer since it began in 2024. The programme now also covers Al Ain.

A crowded corridor

Several Gulf airlines compete for passengers travelling between Australia and Europe. Etihad is not the only one adding seats this December.

Qatar Airways’ winter schedule, published on 10 September, doubles its own Melbourne service from seven to 14 weekly flights from 9 December. It also brings back Canberra, flown via Melbourne. Qatar Airways’ partner Virgin Australia is increasing Sydney-Doha flights from seven to 14 a week from December. Together, the two airlines say they will offer 21 weekly flights between Sydney and Doha.

On the aircraft, Etihad’s A350 Business Class has a private suite with a closing door, a 79-inch lie-flat bed and an 18.5-inch screen. Economy seats are 17.4 inches wide with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreens and Bluetooth audio. Wi-Fi is available throughout the cabin.

Flights are on sale now at etihad.com.