Etihad Airways will increase capacity between Abu Dhabi and Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, by upgrading the current daily Airbus A321 service to a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from 27 October, 2019. The step up from narrow-body to widebody aircraft follows yesterday’s announcement by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the immediate removal of a travel ban to Lebanon for UAE citizens. Lifting this restriction, imposed in February 2016, is expected to spur a significant increase in demand for travel between the two capitals.

Flight EY 535 will depart Abu Dhabi at 9:50am daily, arriving in Beirut at 12:30pm, with the return flight EY 538 leaving Beirut at 2:00pm and arriving back in Abu Dhabi at 7:35pm.  Etihad will operate the upgraded flights with two-class Boeing 787-9s, the newest aircraft type in the airline’s fleet. These jets are configured to seat 299 passengers in a mix of 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats, and feature product including the acclaimed E-Box entertainment system. The 787s will also provide a significant increase in cargo capacity.

 

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