Exclusive: Etihad CEO on the $200M decision to pick CLT for new Middle East flight
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Etihad will launch CLT-Abu Dhabi nonstop service on May 4, 2026, four times weekly.
- The $200M route uses fuel-efficient Dreamliners and marks CLT's first Middle East link.
- Flight expands Etihad's U.S. reach and boosts CLT’s global business and leisure traffic.
At the 2023 Dubai Airshow, Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves talked about bold plans for global expansion under the airline’s “Journey 2030” strategy. And a part of that plan sat over 7,300 miles away — Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Fast-forward to today, and the airline based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is preparing to launch next spring, the first-ever direct flight between Charlotte and Zayed International Airport in the United Arab Emirates capital. This marks CLT’s inaugural nonstop service to the Middle East.
“All the ingredients are there for us to provide service to our future customers,” Neves told The Charlotte Observer in an exclusive interview this week. “We believe it’s a city that deserves this and more.”
Etihad had announced plans for the new service last May.
Service begins on May 4, 2026, with flights operating four times a week, departing Charlotte on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The cost of a ticket is close to $900 for basic economy and more than $8,000 for business deluxe travel. Tickets are on sale now at etihad.com.
“Charlotte has been part of our long-term network strategy,” Neves said. “As we’ve expanded our U.S. presence, CLT consistently stood out as a key market to support both business and leisure demand to and from Abu Dhabi, and beyond.”
Why did Etihad Airlines choose Charlotte?
Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, with a thriving economy, yet it lacked a direct connection to the Middle East. Neves said that was a key factor in the airline’s expansion decision.
“We believe we have enough demand in the market to cater to our flight,” he added. “We offer a very good product — I would say one of the best in the world — both in premium and economy cabins.”
While the airline has faced challenges when launching service at other airports, the Charlotte deal came together quickly. “We cut the deal with (the) Charlotte airport in about one week,” Neves said. “They were so warm and welcoming.
“We got a lot of support from the airport, from the authorities and from the people of Charlotte.”
CLT is the world’s sixth busiest airport in terms of takeoffs and landings, according to Airports Council International rankings. It’s also a hub for American Airlines, which accounts for about 90% of its flights.
Etihad flight details and NC investment
The new route will use a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which offers around 300 seats in business and economy cabins. This will be the first time a Dreamliner serves the Charlotte airport.
The planes are modern, with the average aircraft being less than seven years old. They feature more spacious, comfortable and quieter cabins in both business and economy class.
The Dreamliner is 25% more fuel-efficient than older models due to lighter construction and advanced engines.
Passengers in all classes will enjoy complimentary food and drinks. Economy passengers can expect free meals featuring options like chicken with Japanese curry or a fish fillet with a herb-caper cream sauce, along with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Those with dietary restrictions can pre-order special meals at least 24 hours in advance. For first-class and business passengers, the dining experience is more luxurious, with an extensive à la carte menu that includes options such as beef tenderloin, three-cheese ravioli and spiced duck breast, available to order at any time during the flight.
The nonstop flight takes about 14 hours. Etihad will have early-morning departures from Abu Dhabi and returns midway through the day. According to Neves, the airline is one of the best for on-time arrivals.
“We’re very humble, but we know that we have one of the best business classes in the world,” he said.
The aircraft represents a significant investment of about $200 million for a single plane. “It’s a big capital deployment,” Neves said “It’s a big decision. It’s a $200-million decision for us,” Neves said.
Benefits for Charlotte with Middle Eastern nonstop
The new route is expected to create opportunities for people in Charlotte, from leisure travelers to business professionals.
“People are going to come from Southeast Asia to visit Charlotte,” Neves explained. Through the flights, Charlotte will attract more families looking to travel, which will lead to more hotel usage and an increase in revenue for local restaurants, he added.
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Etihad is the fourth international carrier at CLT and the first to launch service in eight years, when Volaris began nonstop flights to Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2018.
This addition gives Charlotte passengers new one-stop connections to destinations across the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, and Asia. Etihad partners with American Airlines, JetBlue, Air Canada, Air France, and others.
Travelers returning to the U.S. will also benefit from U.S. Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, which streamlines arrivals and connections in Charlotte.
The Abu Dhabi experience
The new flight lands at Zayed International Airport, which offers a variety of unique experiences for customers. Its X-shaped layout is designed to reduce the average walking distance for passengers. The check-in experience, according to Neves, can take less than 10 minutes.
“It’s one of the best airports in the world,” he said. “There’s so much to do at the airport, and it’s well taken care of. It’s beautiful to see people from all over the globe coming and going. It’s very diverse. I love that place.”
Abu Dhabi also offers a stopover program, which provides customers with a free hotel night to spend extra days in the city before connecting to another flight.
“It’s the best product in the market,” Neves said. “We’re very proud of that.”
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He encourages people to travel with an open mind. “Leave your preconceived ideas behind,” he said. “(The Middle East) is an embracing culture. It’s very warm, very welcoming. And this is a guy from Brazil talking about it.”
Attractions include beaches, desert safaris and major cultural sites like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre. The city is also home to Yas Island, a major entertainment hub with Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World.
“Abu Dhabi is a place where if you go and spend seven days, you’re going to see that it’s not enough,” Neves added.
.jpg "Experience Abu Dhabi Desert Culture (1).jpg")
About Etihad Airways
Founded in 2003, Etihad is the national carrier of the UAE. Neves, 50, was appointed CEO in October 2022.
The airline will connect Charlotte alongside its other U.S. destinations in New York, Chicago, Washington, Boston and Atlanta. The airline carried 18.5 million passengers in the past year, a 32% increase from 2023.
Neves remains optimistic about Etihad’s future in North Carolina. “We’re eager to start the flights, to be honest,” he said. “If there’s something I would like to do differently, it would be to start earlier.”
This story was originally published September 5, 2025 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Exclusive: Etihad CEO on the $200M decision to pick CLT for new Middle East flight."
