Etihad to Launch Luxembourg - Abu Dhabi Route on 21 October

On Monday 15 June 2026, Etihad held a media briefing to present details of the opening of the Abu Dhabi - Luxembourg route from 21 October 2026, to be operated by its latest aircraft, the Airbus A321LR. 

The original date for the briefing has been scheduled for earlier this year but had to be rescheduled owing to the airspace closure in the Gulf region.

On Monday morning, the airline took over the Do for Love Café Royal Hamilius, where the Etihad team and members of its cabin crew transformed the café into an Etihad lounge for the day.

Etihad Airways

At the lunchtime media briefing at the Hôtel Le Place d'Armes, Antonio Panariello, Etihad Airways Head of Sales Europe and who is based in Zurich, presented the growth of the airline which is based in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He confirmed that in 2025 the airline made around $700 million net profit, unerlying its strong financial base and enabling its expansion. 

He explained that the copany was established in 2023 and currently has 124 aircraft in its fleet, flying to 110 destinations, with an 88% load factor. 

He confirmed  that the Luxembourg route opening is part of a wider expansion plan, and he mentioned that earlier this week he and Etihad colleagues were in Krakov and Palma to launch new routes to/from those destinations. Its fleet has nine different aircraft, a mix of Boeing and Airbus models. 

Damascus will also join the Etihad network later this month; and in March this year they started flights to Charlotte, North Carolina, USA (also offering US entry clearance in Abu Dhabi). Other cities that will see Etihad flights going forward are Berlin, Bucharest (December) and Tashkent, as well as five cities in China (Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu, all between October 2026 and March 2027) and another six in Africa, which are to be added to the network between November 2026 and March 2027.

Antonio Panariello explained that Etihad is not part of any global alliances; however, it supports code-sharing with other airlines.  

Etihad also offers free health insurance for international travellers visiting Abu Dhabi. 

Luxembourg Route

The Abu Dhabi - Luxembourg route will be serviced by an Airbus A321LR, flying four times/week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, departing Luxembourg at 09:45, and departing Abu Dhabi at 02:45.

The Airbus A321LR has 160 seats and offers First Class (two seats), as well as fourteen seats in Business Class, and Economy Class with the first six rows offering extra legroom. It does not offer Premium Economy.

Wifi access is available on board the flight, with WhatsApp, etc., free of charge for all passengers, with wider use available based on (paid) packages.

Anna-Sophie Poll, Manager Communications at Etihad Airways, revealed that there are currently no cabin staff from Luxembourg employed, but she hoped this would change going forward.

To date, the decision to have someone stationed in Luxembourg, e.g. an Airport Manager or Airport Supervisor, has not been taken; initially, Luxembourg is to be managed from a nearby European location.

Abu Dhabi

The population of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is over four million, with its urban/metro area home to almost three million residents. It is very multi-cultural, with museums including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum, shopping and the culinary scene, Ferrari World (the most visited tourist destinaltion in the UAE), Sea World and Warner Bros World are already there, and Disney World is currently being built there and is planned to open in 2030-2033 on the Yas Island resort. 

Antonio Panariello explained that the city has many similarities with Luxembourg, offering different experiences for different people, ranging from kayaking and swimming in the pristine waters, and dune buggies on land, and much more.

He said that visiting between November to April is the best time to visit to avoid the hottest time of the year, with the month of Ramadam offering additional activities. 

Zayed International Airport

Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi has a capacity of 45 million passengers per year and operates two runways. 

The Etihad lounge in the airport is on different floors, including a restaurant, children's play area and more. 

Luxair

Luxair is understood to be opening its Abu Dhabi route a few days after the Etihad flight starts, on 26 October 2026, with one flight weekly, on Mondays.