Etihad Airways is set to elevate its Sydney to Abu Dhabi service with the introduction of the Airbus A350-1000, bringing enhanced comfort, more premium seating, and innovation to this important route.

Beginning October 1, 2025, the A350 will join the Sydney flying schedule on select flights, complementing the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner currently serving the route. From January 31, 2026, Etihad will fully transition its 10 weekly Sydney services to A350 operations, offering a next-generation travel experience. Melbourne will be served daily by Etihad’s latest 787-9 aircraft featuring Business Suites and increased premium capacity.

Etihad A350

Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, stated: “We are thrilled to bring more premium travel options to Australia with the arrival of our A350 on this significant route. When the schedule is fully deployed early next year, we will have grown overall seat availability by ten percent and our premium seat count by over 20 percent.

“We have increased our flight frequencies to Sydney this year, offering guests greater flexibility and enhanced connectivity across our expanding global network. This growth will facilitate more seamless travel options to key destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, while also welcoming more visitors to our home in Abu Dhabi, where they can enjoy our exclusive stopover programme, featuring complimentary stays at premium hotels.”

Etihad A350 Interior

The A350 introduces new standards for air travel, with enhanced innovation and comfort.

Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the Airbus A350 boasts a fuel efficiency that results in 25 percent less fuel burn and CO2 emissions than previous models. The aircraft features Etihad’s newest cabin interior, infused with thoughtful design elements.

The elevated Business Class includes 44 Business Studios, each with a sliding door for enhanced privacy. Each seat faces forward with direct aisle access and is designed for maximum comfort, converting into a fully flat bed that is 79 inches long, along with ample storage. Noise-cancelling headphones and an 18.5-inch TV screen provide an exceptional inflight entertainment experience. The seats are also equipped with wireless charging docks and Bluetooth headphone pairing.

Business Class Seat

The A350 also features 327 Economy Smart Seats, which come with innovative recline and 13-inch touch screens with Bluetooth pairing capabilities. All guests will have access to complimentary Chat packages on Wi-Fi or full online surfing throughout the flight.

Flight Schedule Abu Dhabi – Sydney from October 1, 2025 (local times)

Flight	Departure City	Departure Time	Arrival City	Arrival Time	Frequency	Aircraft
EY450	Abu Dhabi	10:25	Sydney	06:10 (+1 day)	Mon, Thu, Sat, Sun	Boeing 787-9
EY451	Sydney	15:40	Abu Dhabi	00:05 (+1 day)	Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun	Boeing 787-9
EY454	Abu Dhabi	21:15	Sydney	16:55 (+1 day)	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun	Airbus A350
EY455	Sydney	21:30	Abu Dhabi	06:00 (+1 day)	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat	Airbus A350

Flight Schedule Abu Dhabi – Sydney from January 31, 2026

Flight	Departure City	Departure Time	Arrival City	Arrival Time	Frequency	Aircraft
EY450	Abu Dhabi	09:40	Sydney	06:10 (+1 day)	Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun	Airbus A350
EY451	Sydney	16:20	Abu Dhabi	23:55	Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun	Airbus A350
EY454	Abu Dhabi	21:55	Sydney	18:35 (+1 day)	Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun	Airbus A350
EY455	Sydney	21:30	Abu Dhabi	05:00 (+1 day)	Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun	Airbus A350