Etihad Airways has confirmed it will deploy its A380 on the route between Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport and Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, beginning October 25.
The aircraft will operate on the carrier’s evening service, flight EY402, departing Abu Dhabi at 21:20 local time and arriving in Bangkok at 06:35 the following morning.
The return service, EY403, departs Bangkok at 08:30 and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 12:20. Both services will run daily.
Etihad A380 Bangkok route confirmed: The Residence Suite to land in Thailand
The introduction of the A380 brings an increase in capacity on a route the airline has described as one of its most popular for leisure travel, and arrives ahead of the peak winter travel season.
The A380 features The Residence on its upper deck – a three-room suite the airline describes as the only one of its kind on any aircraft in the world. Accommodating up to two guests, The Residence comprises a living room, a bedroom and an ensuite bathroom with a shower.
Guests in The Residence are attended to by a team of cabin crew and have access to an a la carte menu, served on designer tableware, with options including champagne, caviar and The Residence Signature High Tea. Breakfast in bed is also available.
The A380’s First cabin features nine First Apartments, each equipped with a leather lounge chair and an ottoman that converts into an 80-inch lie-flat bed, alongside a vanity unit. First guests also have access to a shower room on board.
The Business cabin on the upper deck offers 70 seats, each with lie-flat capability and access to the aisle. The upper deck also houses The Lobby, a bar and lounge area between the First and Business cabins. Wi-Fi is available throughout the aircraft.
In Economy, the cabin is divided between 68 Economy Space seats – which offer four additional inches of legroom – and 337 standard Economy seats. The cabin includes a dedicated welcome area on boarding.
“We’ve seen huge excitement around where our next A380 would fly – and Bangkok has been one of the most requested destinations. It’s a city that blends energy, culture and world-class hospitality, making it the perfect match for our flagship aircraft,” Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways said in a statement.
Etihad Airways adds A380 to Bangkok route amid surge in leisure travel demand
“The A380 transforms the journey into part of the holiday itself. From The Residence – the world’s only three-room suite in the sky – and our private First Apartments, to the spacious Business lie-flat seats and thoughtfully enhanced Economy cabin, every guest experiences something special onboard.
“With the A380 flying to Bangkok, we’re offering greater choice and significant additional capacity on one of our most popular leisure routes. Guests can immerse themselves in Thailand’s beaches and vibrant city life, or choose to extend their trip with a stopover in Abu Dhabi – turning one holiday into two and discovering everything our home city has to offer,” he added.
Etihad is promoting Abu Dhabi as a stopover option for passengers travelling between Bangkok and Europe. Through its Abu Dhabi Stopover Programme, passengers can add a stay in the UAE capital to their itinerary, with access to Saadiyat’s beaches, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and year-round events.
The airline positions Abu Dhabi as a point of connection between Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe, with the A380’s arrival on the Bangkok route intended to strengthen that connectivity.
