Etihad Airways today announced a major expansion of its wide-body fleet with the addition of 32 new Airbus aircraft, accelerating the airline's growth and strengthening its position as one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world.
The agreement includes a mix of A350-1000, A350F freighter and A330-900 aircraft under direct purchase orders and lease agreements, with first deliveries to begin in 2027, among the earliest wide-body availability slots in the global market, according to a press release published on the Etihad Airways website.
This new commitment follows Etihad's agreement earlier this year to purchase 28 additional Boeing wide-body aircraft, bringing the airline's total new wide-body orders for 2025 to 60 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing.
Etihad moved quickly to secure early delivery slots for wide-body aircraft, ensuring that new aircraft begin arriving from 2027, ahead of the usual timelines, which are often delayed.
This rapid execution reflects Etihad's agility and expansion model, enabling it to strengthen its competitive edge through the early acquisition of limited long-haul aircraft.
This combined order gives Etihad additional flexibility in operating medium- and long-haul passenger and cargo flights through:
Additional A350-1000 aircraft that boost long-haul capacity.
A350F freighters that expand Etihad Cargo's growing presence in global trade flows.
A330-900 aircraft that support medium-haul and regional growth during a period when wide-body availability is severely constrained.
With the new Airbus order, Etihad will operate the full Airbus wide-body family, including the A380, various A350 variants, including freighters, and the A330neo.
For his part, Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, explained that securing 32 additional wide-body aircraft with deliveries starting in 2027 shows Etihad's ability to move quickly, secure rare early delivery slots and overcome global capacity constraints. He added that these commitments ensure our ability to continue our growth trajectory, offer more experiences to customers and attract more visitors to Abu Dhabi.
He stated that these agreements reflect our confidence in the future of Abu Dhabi's aviation sector and our commitment to cementing the emirate's position as one of the world's tourism hubs. He noted that with orders for 60 new wide-body aircraft this year from Airbus and Boeing, we are building one of the most modern, efficient and flexible long-haul fleets in the world.
In this context, Benoit de Saint-Exupery, Executive Vice President, Commercial Aircraft Sales at Airbus, explained that Etihad's continued investment in our latest generation of wide-body aircraft is a testament to the strength of our partnership and our shared vision for the future of aviation in the UAE and beyond. He added that the Airbus A350 and A330neo will provide efficiency and flexibility for Etihad's operations, supporting its future development.
Etihad continues to invest heavily in the premium travel experience on board its aircraft, as all new aircraft, including those announced today, will be delivered with next-generation First, Business and enhanced Economy cabins, along with Viasat high-speed internet. Alongside Etihad's ongoing cabin retrofit and upgrade program, the airline ensures a world-class travel experience across its entire growing fleet.
To view the post on the Etihad Airways website, click here.
