
Etihad Airways, SKY express sign codeshare partnership
The partnership, effective 14th July 2025, builds on the strong performance of the existing interline cooperation between the two airlines and significantly expands Etihad's reach across the Greek islands and broader Eastern Mediterranean region.
Under the codeshare agreement, Etihad will place its code on SKY express-operated flights beyond Athens, providing seamless access to Greece's most popular island destinations including Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, and Kos, alongside sought-after destinations such as Corfu, Paros, and Thessaloniki.
Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said, "This partnership with SKY express opens exciting new possibilities for our customers to discover Greece beyond Athens. SKY express's comprehensive island network perfectly complements our Athens service, giving travellers seamless access to some of the Mediterranean's most beautiful destinations through a single booking."
Gerasimos Skaltsas, Chief Commercial Officer at SKY express, said, 'The collaboration with Etihad is a strong vote of confidence in SKY express, reinforcing our position as a reliable partner and significantly enhancing our connectivity.'
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What's On
13 hours ago
- What's On
11 iconic brunches in Dubai worth the hype
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Zawya
21 hours ago
- Zawya
Etihad Airways takes delivery of its first Airbus A321LR aircraft
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The National
a day ago
- The National
Etihad Airways brings first-class luxury to small planes in rare move
Etihad Airways took delivery of its first Airbus A321LR in Hamburg on Thursday, featuring first-class seats on a small plane – a departure from industry norms, where premium cabins are typically found on long-haul flights aboard wide-body aircraft. This is the first of 20 A321LR aircraft to join Etihad's fleet, leased from AerCap, the world's largest aircraft lessor, the airline said on Thursday. Commercial flights start on August 1. The Abu Dhabi-based airline is known for its ultra-luxury product, The Residence – a three-room configuration featuring a private bedroom, an en suite shower and a living area with a Savoy-trained personal butler – available on the mammoth double-decker Airbus A380. Now, Etihad is introducing a first-class suite on its long-range, single-aisle A321LR jet, flying short-to-medium-haul routes. Analysts say the ambitious cabin layout is unusual in the industry. 'It's extremely rare,' said Linus Bauer, founder and managing director of UAE-based boutique aviation consultancy BAA & Partners. The A321LR and longer-range A321XLR aircraft have been mainly positioned as 'premium-capable narrowbodies, but first-class installations remain an exception', he said. 'Typically, first class is the domain of wide-body, long-haul aircraft where both cabin space and yield potential justify the added cost and real estate,' he said. First class has increasingly become a niche product and many airlines have ceased offering it on their long-haul routes, said John Strickland, aviation analyst and director of JLS Consulting. 'That said, there is a core market in the Gulf region which Etihad can tap,' he said. 'Back to the game' Etihad Airways' boss said the first-class offering on narrow-body jets will be a game-changer for the airline. 'I'm 100 per cent confident that the product we've designed is going to be wow for first-class customers in a narrow-body … Etihad is back to the game,' Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad's chief executive, told The National ahead of the delivery. 'It's not about the size of the plane that you cannot create a first-class experience. It's all about execution and the product you offer.' Amenities in the new first-class suite include two private, enclosed spaces with sliding doors, lie-flat beds and companion seating, along with a large 20in 4K screen for entertainment, with Bluetooth pairing and wireless charging. 'Today marks an extraordinary moment for Etihad as we welcome an aircraft that changes everything we thought possible on a single-aisle plane,' Mr Neves said. 'The A321LR enables us to serve more destinations with the same premium experience.' A321LR routes Etihad's A321LR will operate from Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport to short- and medium-haul destinations across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It will initially fly to Phuket before expanding service to Algiers, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Krakow, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Tunis and Zurich. An additional nine A321LR aircraft will be delivered throughout 2025, supporting the airline's ambitious growth plans to carry 38 million passengers annually by the end of the decade. This target has been revised up from a previous goal of 33 million and forms part of its Journey 2030 strategy, which also calls for doubling its fleet size. Etihad is aggressively expanding its network, having launched or announced 27 new routes this year. The A321LR is a longer-range variant of Airbus' A321neo. The aircraft has a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles (7,400km), thanks to three additional centre tanks that store extra fuel. Airbus says airlines can configure the A321LR cabin with layouts ranging from a single-class arrangement to multi-class set-ups featuring full-flat premium seats. Luxury in smaller confines Etihad seems to be using the A321LR features as a differentiator in the market, rather than a people-mover, analysts said. 'This isn't just about seat segmentation. It's a continuation of Etihad's boutique pivot – an identity centred around bespoke, high-touch experiences, especially post-pandemic,' Mr Bauer said. 'In the age of upgauging and densification, this is a contrarian move – but one that could carve out a defensible niche.' The product is also a differentiator on popular, high-yield, regional routes with high competition. Putting the premium experiences associated with large planes on to narrow-bodies helps airlines like Etihad to preserve brand consistency across the board, Mr Linus said. 'For Etihad, a first class suite on a narrowbody ensures continuity with its wide-body experience and upsells to ultra-high-net worth individuals or VIPs travelling regionally or connecting onward in premium cabins,' he said. A321LR features First Suites: private, enclosed spaces with sliding doors, fully-flat beds. Each window-facing suite features a 20in 4K screen, Bluetooth pairing, wireless charging, and additional space for a companion to sit. Business Class: features 14 wide-body-style seats with a 17.3in 4K screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing and wireless charging. Economy Class: 144 seats that are 18.4in wide, with a five-inch recline, 13.3in, 4K touchscreens and USB charging.