Airline to add direct flights from Charlotte to UAE on plane that will be unique to CLT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A new airline will provide Charlotte passengers service to the United Arab Emirates.
Charlotte Douglas International officials announced Friday that Etihad Airways is scheduled to join the airport next May as its fourth international carrier, but first with direct service to the city of Abu Dhabi and the Persian Gulf region.
Real ID enforcement takes off Wednesday at Charlotte airport and across Carolinas
The airline says the new route will operate four times per week on Etihad's flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The 303-seat plane will offer business and economy cabins, with connections across the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent and Asia.
This will mark the first scheduled service by this style of Boeing aircraft in CLT history.
'Etihad's arrival is a milestone for CLT as we continue expanding our global reach,' said Haley Gentry, CEO of Charlotte Douglas. 'This new route opens the door to the Middle East and beyond, providing our passengers with greater access to international destinations and strengthening Charlotte's role as a key gateway for global travel.'
Passengers will also benefit from U.S. Customs Preclearance in Abu Dhabi, allowing them to arrive in Charlotte as domestic travelers for a seamless entry.
CLT officials say international travel in Charlotte has grown substantially in recent years. In 2024, the airport reportedly saw a 13% rise in international passenger traffic, increasing from 2.1 million in 2023 to 2.4 million.
Charlotte Douglas was sixth busiest airport in the world in 2024: Rankings
Tickets for the Charlotte–Abu Dhabi route are on sale now at etihad.com. Etihad is the first international airline to launch service at CLT since 2018, when Volaris began nonstop flights to Guadalajara, Mexico.
This expansion makes Charlotte Etihad's sixth U.S. destination, joining New York, Chicago, Washington, Boston, and the upcoming Atlanta route, which launches on July 2.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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