Etihad adds Atlanta as part of 10-destination expansion in 2025
Etihad Airways will add Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to its map next year as part of a 10-destination, three-continent expansion unveiled on Monday.
The Gulf carrier will link Atlanta to its hub at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) four times a week beginning July 2. Etihad will fly the Abu Dhabi-Atlanta route with an Airbus A350-1000 that features its new posh business class cabin with 44 seats, as well as 327 economy seats.
Atlanta is Etihad’s fifth U.S. destination after Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) — flights began in March — Chicago's O’Hare International Airport (ORD), New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Washington's Dulles International Airport (IAD). Fliers departing Abu Dhabi for the U.S. benefit from a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility there that allows them to arrive in the U.S. as domestic travelers.
Etihad chief revenue officer Arik De hinted at a new U.S. city in October as part of a planned 20-destination expansion in 2025. “We have a lot of growth coming,” he said at the time, adding that the airline expected to grow next year beyond its peak in 2017.
Etihad’s other new destinations are:
- Taipei, Taiwan, on a Boeing 787 from Sept. 7
- Medan, Indonesia, on an Airbus A321LR from Oct. 3
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on an A321LR from Oct. 3
- Krabi, Thailand, on an A321LR from Oct. 9
- Tunis, Tunisia, on an A321LR from Nov. 1
- Chiang Mai, Thailand, on an A321LR from Nov. 3
- Hanoi, Vietnam, on an A321LR from Nov. 3
- Hong Kong on a 787 from Nov. 3
- Algiers, Algeria, on an A321LR from Nov. 7
The airline previously announced plans to add El Alamein International Airport (DBB) in Egypt, Vaclav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) and Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) to its map next June and July.
Etihad’s latest expansion is anchored by the A321LR, a longer-range variant of the popular A321neo that can fly up to 4,600 miles. JetBlue Airways uses the same aircraft for its transatlantic flying that includes nonstops to six European airports from Boston and JFK.
De said in October that Etihad expects its first A321LRs early next year and plans to unveil details of the onboard product in late February.
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“It’s going to have a full flat bed, all-aisle access and that best-in-class product that Etihad delivers,” he said.
The A321LR, De added, "will fly us to many places that the [Boeing] 777, 787 and A350s are just a little too big. Expect a lot of destinations — secondary cities in Europe and Asia come into play.”
The 13 new destinations Etihad has announced to date in 2025 include seven secondary cities in Europe and Asia, ranging from Prague to Hanoi and Krabi.
Etihad's growth follows a major restructuring of its business that began in 2017. The airline slashed its schedule and ended many of its money-losing investments in secondary airlines around the world, including now-defunct Air Berlin, the former Alitalia and Virgin Australia.
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Booking award flights on Etihad
If you’re hoping to book a flight on Etihad — whether you’re traveling to Abu Dhabi or hoping to connect to another final destination — there are a few ways your points and miles can come in handy.
American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One miles and Citi ThankYou Rewards all transfer to Etihad Guest at a 1:1 rate.
Etihad also has a handful of North American loyalty partners, including American Airlines, JetBlue and Air Canada. That means you can use AAdvantage, TrueBlue and Aeroplan loyalty currency to book partner flights on Etihad metal.
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Rewards
| 4X | 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. |
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| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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
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- 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.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.