ONE of the best airlines in the world is set to launch more flights from a major UK airport later this year.
Etihad Airways will be adding seven more flights on to its schedule from Manchester Airport this December.
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The airline was named one of the best in the world by the Airline safety and product rating website, AirlineRatings.com, earlier this year.
Published each year, the Airline Excellence Awards are judged by five editors with more than 100 years of industry experience between them.
The carriers are judged on 12 key criteria, including fleet age, passenger reviews, profitability, safety rating, product rating and innovation among others.
From December, Etihad Airways will be increasing its route from Manchester Airport to Abu Dhabi per 50 per cent.
Seven new flights will be added to the roster, increasing the route’s total to 14 direct services each week.
Morning services will depart from Manchester Airport at 8.25am, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 7.30pm local time.
An evening service will also be in operation with a departure time of 7.50pm, touching down in Abu Dhabi the following morning at 6.55am.
Tickets are already on sale, with Sun Online Travel finding one-way fares from £361 per person.
The news comes after Etihad Airways announced its summer schedule for next year.
Twice-daily flights will also operate from other European cities, including Paris, Milan, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Madrid, Munich and Zurich.
Five additional seasonal services will also operate between Malaga and Abu Dhabi.
The summer season will also see daily services from Abu Dhabi to destinations like Bali and Sydney.
It’s important to know these onward routes because of a new initiative Etihad Airways launched earlier this year.
For passengers with changeovers in the UAE capital, the airline is offering them a free one or two-night stay, so they can explore the city.
The Abu Dhabi Stopover programme is exclusive to Etihad customers and promises to let them break up their journey with a stay en route to their eventual destination.
The scheme was announced at the Arabian Travel Market, with the airline hoping it will bring an extra 100,000 visitors to the city.
An agreement was signed by Abu Dhabi’s Director General for Tourism and His Excellency Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry with Etihad’s CEO Antonoaldo Neves to promote the city through the programme.
In order to have the chance to see those passengers have to book their flights directly with Etihad, via the airline’s website.
When doing that, they’ll get the option to add their stopover and pick from a list of complimentary hotels as part of the booking process.
Guests can choose a free one or two night stay in a range of premier accommodation options throughout the city.
Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “We are delivering on our strategic promise to serve more key destinations twice daily as fast as we can, and our summer schedule underscores our commitment to growth and further supporting tourism in Abu Dhabi.
“By aligning our schedule to offer 2pm departures from Abu Dhabi, we provide guests with convenient check-out times from their hotels, allowing them to make the most of their stay in our beautiful city.”
Here’s what it’s like to fly with Etihad Airways…
ETIHAD Airways, Abu Dhabi’s flagship carrier, is everything you’d expect from a Middle Eastern airline – touches of glamour and elegance can be found everywhere on board.
And, as with all things UAE, when it comes to splashing the cash, they know how to do it bigger and better than anyone else.
There’s a level above First Class on board the airline’s A380s, The Residence.
Described by Etihad as a “luxurious three-room suite in the sky”, this is a whole different way of flying with a private double bedroom, separate living area and even an en suite shower (yes, really!).
You’ll have to drop thousands upon thousands to ever experience this privilege, however.
The economy offering is, of course, less fancy. Although seats are comfy and the meals are some of the best I’ve had at however many thousand feet in the air with Asian inspired curries and flavour-packed pasta dishes often up for grabs.
I’m not a fan of the beige-y brown colour theme, though. Why the design team decided this shade of furniture would bring joy to any aircraft is beyond me.
Meanwhile, this is the airline with the best economy seats in the world.
And here are the best airlines in the UK.
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