Etihad A380 First Class Awards Wide Open

In the summer of 2023, Etihad Airways brought back its Airbus A380s. Since then, the plane has been flying exclusively between Abu Dhabi and London. However, as of April 22, 2024, the whale jet will also resume flights between Abu Dhabi and New York, which is an exciting development.

I wanted to post a heads up that Etihad first class award availability between Abu Dhabi and New York is exceptional within 30 days of departure, so this is a fantastic use of American AAdvantage miles. You can even book multiple first class seats on the same flight, with availability almost every day.

Etihad first class award space is plentiful

Nowadays Etihad only makes premium cabin award seats available to partner frequent flyer programs at most 30 days in advance. The good news is that within that timeframe, first class award availability is readily available.

Just for some context on New York service, as of April 22, 2024, Etihad will operate two daily flights between Abu Dhabi and New York with first class:

• One flight will be operated by an Airbus A380, featuring Etihad’s amazing First Class Apartment
• One flight will be operated by a Boeing 787-9, featuring Etihad’s standard first class

These flights have award space almost every day, and this is even bookable with American AAdvantage miles, at the cost of 115,000 miles one-way, without carrier imposed surcharges (unfortunately it’s not bookable through Air Canada Aeroplan, which doesn’t seem to have access to premium cabin Etihad award space anymore).

For example, below is a calendar showing the days in early May where there’s first class award availability from New York to Abu Dhabi (as each day passes, another day of availability opens up).

In some cases, these flights even have four or more first class award seats.

What’s so awesome is how much better of a deal it is to book through American AAdvantage rather than Etihad Guest:

• American AAdvantage charges 115,000 miles one-way, and even lets you include connections on both ends, while Etihad Guest charges 160,000-200,000 miles for that segment alone
• American AAdvantage doesn’t have any carrier imposed surcharges, while Etihad Guest has $500+ in carrier imposed surcharges
• American AAdvantage has no change and cancelation fees, while Etihad Guest has the industry’s most punitive award change and cancelation fees

If you have time in your schedule to plan an adventure to Abu Dhabi or beyond, this could be a fun opportunity. This will also allow you to check out the new terminal at Abu Dhabi Airport, including the new Etihad First Lounge and Etihad Business Lounge.

These redemptions highlight the value of AAdvantage

Using American AAdvantage miles for premium cabin redemptions has become tougher over time. That’s largely not even American’s fault, as airlines like Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines, and Qatar Airways, have all changed how they release award space.

However, there’s no denying that when you find a good redemption with AAdvantage, it’s in a completely different league than what one could book with Delta SkyMiles or United MileagePlus.

Etihad’s A380 first class is one of the world’s best first class products, and experiencing this on a long haul flight is such a fun opportunity.

Bottom line

Etihad has wide open first class award availability within 30 days of departure when booking through American AAdvantage. This is not only available on the carrier’s Abu Dhabi to London route, but also on the Abu Dhabi to New York route, which will be restored within the next week.

If you’d like to fly Etihad’s A380 between Abu Dhabi and New York in late April or early May, availability is excellent. Hopefully this trend continues, as I see more seats open each day (at the 30 day mark).

Anyone snagging some Etihad first class award availability?