UAE-Canada travel: Etihad Airways announces first-ever nonstop Abu Dhabi-Calgary flights
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to operate one of airline’s longest routes
ABU DHABI – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has announced the launch of the first-ever nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi and Calgary, establishing a new strategic air corridor between the Middle East and Western Canada.
Set to commence on 3 November 2026, the service represents a major milestone in the airline’s long-haul expansion strategy.
The route also aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader ambitions to boost global trade, tourism and inward investment through enhanced international connectivity.
Abu Dhabi to Calgary
The new service creates a direct link between two globally recognised centres of energy, innovation and culture. Abu Dhabi’s rapidly diversifying economy and expanding cultural landscape will be directly connected to Calgary’s status as a hub for energy, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. The route is expected to support increased corporate travel, trade engagement and collaboration across key industrial sectors.
Beyond business travel, the route brings together two highly distinctive leisure destinations. Canadian travellers will gain direct access to Abu Dhabi’s museums, cultural institutions, coastal resorts and year-round sunshine. At the same time, passengers from the UAE and across Etihad’s global network will be able to reach Calgary with ease, benefiting from its vibrant urban scene and its role as the gateway to Alberta and the Canadian Rockies, home to some of North America’s most renowned natural landscapes.
Calgary becomes Etihad’s latest long-haul destination, following recent network additions including Luxembourg and Palma. Each new route reflects the airline’s focus on opening markets with strong economic, trade and tourism potential, while broadening travel options for passengers connecting through Abu Dhabi from across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Etihad’s network
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways, said the new service marked a significant moment for the airline’s international growth. He described the Abu Dhabi-Calgary route as a historic step that creates the only nonstop air link between the Middle East and Western Canada, opening new opportunities for trade, tourism and investment.
Neves said the route was designed to stimulate two-way travel, giving Canadian passengers direct access to Abu Dhabi’s cultural offerings and year-round experiences, while enabling travellers from the UAE and Etihad’s wider network to explore Calgary and the natural beauty of Western Canada with greater convenience.
Chris Dinsdale, President and CEO of Calgary Airports, said the partnership with Etihad Airways would play a key role in connecting the region’s leisure and business travellers to the Middle East. He noted that the new route also unlocks access to a wide range of onward destinations across Africa, Asia and beyond through Etihad’s global network.
Flight details
The service will be operated using Etihad’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, equipped with the airline’s latest Business and Economy cabins. Designed for long-haul comfort, the aircraft offers Etihad’s award-winning onboard product, including enhanced seating, inflight entertainment and hospitality, on what will be among the longest routes in the carrier’s network.
The Calgary launch further strengthens Etihad’s presence in North America, complementing its existing services to Toronto, New York and Chicago, alongside Charlotte, which is scheduled to begin operations in March.
Flights on the Abu Dhabi-Calgary route are now on sale.