Etihad Airways has launched its first A380 service to the US.
The Gulf carrier has rostered the superjumbo on to its Abu Dhabi-New York route, with the inaugural flight landing at JFK airport yesterday.
It had originally been due to join the route on December 1 (see news, March 4).
Etihad's A380 arrives at New York JFK
The A380, which features the Gulf carrier's three-room The Residence suite, is operating flights EY103/102, one of two daily Etihad services between Abu Dhabi and JFK.
Outbound flight EY103 departs Abu Dhabi at 0320 and arrives in New York at 0910, while return flight EY102 leaves New York at 1430 and lands in Abu Dhabi at 1215 the next day.
Etihad's A380 can accommodate 498 passengers, with 417 in economy, 70 in business class, nine in first and up to two in the aforementioned The Residence apartment.
Flights EY100/101 between Abu Dhabi and New York JFK are operated by a B777-300ER.
Flying the flags
Etihad CEO James Hogan said: "Etihad Airways has stayed ahead of the competition by providing our guests with the luxury, comfort, and hospitality they expect and deserve when they fly with us, and by remaining focused on continuing to transform the air travel experience across all cabins of service.
"The revolutionary products found onboard Etihad Airways' fleet of A380s completely reimagine commercial aviation standards and we are proud to bring them to our guests travelling between the US and Abu Dhabi."
Etihad will roster an A380 on to its Mumbai route from May 1 (see news, November 3).
Graham Smith
