Etihad Airways is significantly expanding its presence in North America in 2026, with the Abu Dhabi-based carrier set to serve eight destinations across the United States and Canada. The expansion marks the airline’s largest North American network in its 23-year history.
Etihad Airways currently operates flights to Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, New York, Washington and Toronto. In October, it will add Calgary to its network, establishing the airline’s first direct connection between the Middle East and Western Canada.
Across 2026, Etihad Airways is expected to offer 998,282 round-trip seats between Abu Dhabi and North America. That represents a 25.7% increase compared with 2025 and exceeds its previous capacity record of 826,856 seats, set in 2017.
Etihad Airways Eight Destinations Across the Region
Etihad Airways six US destinations Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, New York and Washington will primarily be served by Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
New York and Chicago will each receive two daily flights, while Atlanta and Washington will operate daily services. Boston will be served six times a week, with Charlotte receiving four weekly flights.
In Canada, Toronto remains a key part of Etihad’s network. The route will continue to receive daily Airbus A380 service, which began in June 2025.
Calgary will become Etihad’s second Canadian destination when flights begin on October 25, 2026. The new route will operate four times weekly using a Boeing 787-9.
Capacity Rebounds After Previous Decline
Etihad Airways North American growth represents a dramatic recovery from the capacity reductions seen in the late 2010s and during the pandemic.
The airline offered just 16,655 round-trip seats to North America in 2006, the year it launched its first service to New York. Capacity surpassed 250,000 seats in 2010 and 500,000 in 2014 before reaching its previous peak in 2017.
Capacity subsequently declined to 706,696 seats in 2018 and 556,682 in 2019, before falling below 230,000 in 2020.
Since then, Etihad has steadily rebuilt its network. Its 2026 schedule now represents the fourth consecutive year of double-digit North American capacity growth, highlighting the airline’s renewed focus on the region.
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