Etihad Relaunches Eighth Airbus A380 with Daily Flights to Tokyo
Etihad Airways is set to reintegrate its eighth Airbus A380 into service, with the announcement of a new daily flight to Tokyo slated to commence in the summer of 2026.
The inaugural journey between Abu Dhabi International (AUH) and Narita International (NRT) is planned for June 16, 2025, coinciding with the onset of the busy summer travel season.
Etihad’s Airbus A380 flights currently operate to several major cities including London, Paris, Toronto, and Singapore, making Japan’s capital the fifth destination added to its impressive roster of A380 routes.
“Our guests continuously express their satisfaction with the onboard experience. As we welcome our latest A380 back, we are thrilled to bring this remarkable aircraft to Japan. Our dedicated cabin crew offers unparalleled service across all classes, including Economy, Business, First Class, and The Residence, which is our unique three-room suite in the sky,” shared Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways.
The A380 will feature Etihad’s exclusive The Residence product, recognized as the world’s only three-room suite in the sky.
The first-class area includes nine private spaces, boasting designer tableware, a luxurious leather lounge chair, and an ottoman that converts to an 80″ lie-flat bed.
On the upper deck, Business Class passengers are treated to Business Studios, featuring 70 private spaces designed for comfort.
“We have noticed strong demand from travelers seeking more seating to Japan, and the A380 is perfectly suited for this route,” De stated. “This move underscores our commitment to this vital market, especially given the deep economic and cultural connections between the UAE and Japan. Japan has always remained a popular destination for our passengers.”
Flights will be scheduled to depart daily from Abu Dhabi at 21:25, arriving in Tokyo at 12:45 the following day. The return flight will leave Japan at 18:00, landing back in the UAE at 00:20.
As of August 2025, reports indicated that two additional Etihad A380 aircraft were expected to rejoin the airline’s fleet after nearly five years of storage.
In a July 2025 event, De expressed aspirations for the return of more A380s to service, stating, “We are exploring the possibility of adding more A380s, but it has to be financially viable.”
It was understood that the first aircraft from storage would rejoin Etihad’s fleet of seven existing A380s in June 2026, followed by the second in January 2027.
Are you excited to see the A380 flying to Japan?
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