CHARLOTTE, NC – Etihad Airways will soon offer non-stop flights between Charlotte and Abu Dhabi.
The airline, which is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, announced Friday that the service will begin in May of 2026.
Etihad will become the fourth international carrier to offer flights from CLT.
The weekly flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays using the 303-seat Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
“Etihad’s arrival is a milestone for CLT as we continue expanding our global reach,” said Haley Gentry, CEO of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. “This new route opens the door to the Middle East and beyond, providing our passengers with greater access to international destinations and strengthening Charlotte’s role as a key gateway for global travel.”
“This new service creates a vital connection between Charlotte and Abu Dhabi, linking two important economic hubs,” said His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Etihad Airways. “We’re opening direct channels for business, investment, and tourism that align with Abu Dhabi’s vision for a diversified global economy. Charlotte businesses gain efficient access to the UAE and beyond, while Abu Dhabi strengthens its connections to the American Southeast. Travelers benefit from U.S. Customs Preclearance in Abu Dhabi and gain efficient one-stop access to and from more than 40 destinations across the Indian Subcontinent, GCC, Africa, and Southeast Asia. We’re proud to partner with Charlotte Douglas International Airport to deliver this strategic route that will benefit travelers and businesses in both regions.”
Tickets for the Charlotte–Abu Dhabi route are on sale now. Etihad is the first international airline to launch service at CLT since 2018, when Volaris began nonstop flights to Guadalajara, Mexico.
Charlotte Etihad’s sixth U.S. destination, joining New York, Chicago, Washington, Boston, and the upcoming Atlanta route, which launches on July 2.
