Etihad upgrades aircraft on San Francisco, New York routes

Ever since it started flying to San Francisco from its Abu Dhabi home base more than a year ago, Etihad Airways has been using a 777 leased from India’s Jet Airways on the route instead of one of its own planes. The move lead to snickers that the service should be called “Jetihad” instead.

But those snickers will soon turn into smiles: Effective April 25, Etihad said it will replace the Jet Airways plane with the real deal: Its own 777-200LR.

It has also been using a Jet Airways 777 on one of its two daily New York JFK flights (EY 101/100), but on June 1 it will replace that aircraft with its own 777-300ER. The other JFK flight will continue to use an A380 super-jumbo.

The new San Francisco aircraft will be outfitted with eight first class seats, 40 in business class and 191 in economy for a total of 239 seats.

Its larger 777-300ER on the New York run will have eight seats in first, 40 in business and 280 in economy for a total of 328 seats.

Link to Etihad’s business class page

TravelSkills reader SP commented, “I’m happy to see that it’s the same plane they fly to LAX, which is a great product. I was hoping maybe we’d get the 380 to rival Emirates, but that was probably wishful thinking! Still, I’m very happy to see real Etihad service finally coming to the Bay Area.  It’s a great option for the AA loyalists of us around here.”

Etihad has made a big splash recently among frequent flyers by rolling out a new three-room cabin onboard its A380 last December. The Residence includes a “living room,” private bathroom with shower, a bedroom with a double bed and a suited, London-trained butler. The Residence is one of many firsts Etihad has brought to the premium flying experience in recent years.

Last month, Etihad cut the ribbon on a new premium lounge at New York JFK — its second in the U.S. after Washington Dulles. The 7,000 square foot facility for first class and business class passengers has showers, a bar, a sitting area, and floor-to-ceiling windows. In San Francisco, Etihad passengers have access to Oneworld partner Cathay Pacific’s stellar, and recently expanded, lounge at SFO.

Etihad also operates daily flights to Chicago, Washington Dulles and Los Angeles, and three weekly flights to Dallas/Ft. Worth.

Have you or do you plan to fly Etihad one day soon? Please leave your comments below. 

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