Etihad will launch flights between Boston and Abu Dhabi
There's a new opportunity to redeem miles on one of the world's most luxurious airlines.
Etihad Airways announced on Wednesday that it will begin flying to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) next spring.
The Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates-based airline will operate the service between its home hub and Boston beginning March 31, 2024, with four flights in each direction per week.
Flights to Abu Dhabi will depart from Boston at 3:55 p.m. on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, arriving at noon local time the next day. Flights to Boston will depart Abu Dhabi at 3:10 a.m. on the same days, arriving at 8:55 a.m.
Etihad will operate the flight with a Boeing 787-9 aircraft. While these planes don't have the airline's famously luxurious first-class cabins, they offer a solid business-class product with Etihad's staggered Business Studio seats.
The airline has introduced a new business-class product on its recently delivered 787-9s — the front cabins on these new planes feature 32 seats. However, the airline is advertising the older product's seat map for the new Boston service, which includes 28 business-class suites. It was not immediately clear whether that would change.
Etihad, like Persian Gulf rivals Qatar Airways and Emirates (which both fly to Boston), offers one-stop connections across the globe via its hub, servicing destinations throughout the Middle East, Africa and the Indian subcontinent.
Although the airline is not a member of any of the major alliances, it partners with several carriers and their frequent flyer programs, including American Airlines AAdvantage and Air Canada's Aeroplan.
The airline is perhaps best known for its ultra-luxurious first class and its extravagant Residence, a three-room suite only found at the front of the first-class cabin on Etihad's Airbus A380.
Still, even without first class, the new connectivity from Boston means new potential mileage redemption opportunities for U.S.-based travelers.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees