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Etihad Airways has announced a new long-haul route that will introduce the first-ever nonstop service between the United Arab Emirates and Western Canada. Beginning November 3, 2026, Etihad will launch direct flights between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Calgary (YYC). The nonstop service is expected to support corporate travel and commercial engagement between the two markets while improving overall connectivity between Western Canada and the Middle East.
The YYC route becomes Etihad’s latest long-haul destination, following other recently announced routes to Luxembourg and Palma de Mallorca. Flights between AUH and YYC will be operated using the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The aircraft will feature Etihad’s new Business Class cabin and long-haul Economy seats. Note that this route will not feature the EY First Class cabin.
The launch of the Calgary service complements Etihad’s existing North American network, which already includes nonstop flights to Toronto (YYZ), New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Boston (BOS), Washington (IAD), and Atlanta (ATL). In addition, Etihad is set to begin operations to Charlotte (CLT) in May 2026. With Calgary joining the lineup in late 2026, Western Canada will for the first time have a direct connection to Abu Dhabi and Etihad’s broader network spanning the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and beyond.
Etihad New Routes: YYC from 3 November 2026 – all times local:
| Flight | Origin | Departure Time | Destination | Arrival Time | Frequency | Aircraft |
| EY 29 | Abu Dhabi | 08.45 | Calgary | 12:20 | Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun | 787-9 |
| EY 30 | Calgary | 18:05 | Abu Dhabi | 19:00 | Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun | 787-9 |
My favourite program for redeeming award travel on Etihad flights is American AAdvantage. In the recent past, I have exclusively used my RBC Avion points earned through RBC Avion Visa Infinite cards and transferred them to American for valuable redemptions. Canadian travellers who earn Aeroplan points through credit cards can leverage the Aeroplan-Etihad partnership and redeem them for Etihad flights. However, it is not the most optimal use of Aeroplan points, as Etihad is a select partner on a dynamic redemption chart, and premium cabin redemptions from Canada to Abu Dhabi often require 200k Aeroplan points or more.
Here are a couple of handy resources to help you plan your next Etihad redemption – happy travels!
How to Book Etihad Premium Cabins on Points
Review: Etihad Business Class from ORD to AUH on A350
