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Etihad Will Operate the A380 Twice Daily to JFK Starting Next June

July 26, 2016
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2 min read
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Etihad Will Operate the A380 Twice Daily to JFK Starting Next June
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Etihad Airways will soon be upgrading its second daily flight from New York (JFK) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) from a Boeing 777-300ER to an Airbus A380. This means starting June 1, 2017, you'll have a better chance of finding availability to book yourself a $32,000 ticket in the over-the-top, super-opulent Etihad Residence on future trips to the UAE — there will be more Etihad Apartments available as well, which you can book with Etihad Guest Miles. Etihad's A380 planes also feature a very large business-class cabin on the upper deck that's very comfortable, though not as extravagant.

Etihad's A380s are equipped with the airline's epic first-class product, The Apartment.

While the first day of double A380 service is almost a year away, we're seeing some award availability in both the business-class cabin as well as The Apartment on flights originating in Abu Dhabi (AUH), however flights originating in New York (JFK) are less available to book with Etihad Guest miles. A one-way ticket from AUH to JFK will cost you about 118,000 miles + $225 in cash, while business-class fares will set you back about 89,000 miles + $173 in cash.

Alternatively, you can use AAdvantage miles to book these awards. One-way tickets in The Apartment cost 115,000 AAdvantage miles, while one-way business-class fares cost 70,000. But, to book these flights with AAdvantage miles, you'll have to call American Airlines' Australian reservations line at +61 02-9101-1948, as you're not able to book these awards through AA's US call center.

If you prefer to purchase your tickets in cash, a round-trip fare in The Apartment between JFK and AUH costs an eye-watering $22,000. Business-class fares are closer to Earth, starting at about $7,000 round-trip. While prices are certainly high, flying on Etihad's A380 gives you a chance to experience one of the most unique products in the sky today.

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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.