Etihad Airways launches flights to Seoul

Etihad Airways has launched flights between Abu Dhabi and Seoul’s Incheon Airport in South Korea.

Seoul is Etihad’s 65th destination on the network in just seven years of operations. The inaugural flight, EY876, will depart Abu Dhabi at 10.45 p.m., arriving at Seoul’s Incheon Airport at 12.05 p.m on 11 December (local times).

Etihad will operate a daily A330-200 three-class service, offering 2,800 seats each week on the route.

The new services will operate under an Etihad Airways (EY) and Asiana (OZ) flight code, following the codeshare agreement signed between the two airlines in October.

To mark the launch, Etihad Airways has unveiled special fare deals to Seoul, including ‘two for one’ Coral Economy class fares and discounted fares in Pearl Business class.

Until 31 December, customers who purchase a ticket in Coral Economy class from Abu Dhabi to Seoul will be offered one free Coral Economy ticket to Seoul valid for outbound travel up to 31 December 2010.

Discounted fares for travel from Abu Dhabi to Seoul in Pearl Business class start from AED 13,330. The sales period runs until 15 December 2010, with the outbound travel period valid up to 10 February 2011.

Members of the airline’s Etihad Guest loyalty programme can also earn double Etihad Guest miles when travelling to Seoul, valid until 10 January 2011. Terms and conditions apply.

“We are delighted to commence services to South Korea, which has been a target destination for us for some time,” said Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan. “There is a strong relationship between South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, built over a 40-year history of bilateral trade relationships between the countries ... We are confident this new route will be a success for both our passenger and cargo operations, and we look forward to facilitating business and leisure traffic between the two countries.”

South Korea is emerging as a key trading partner for the UAE, with Korean companies maintaining a strong presence in the UAE, particularly in the energy sector, construction and technology, and more than 5,000 Korean nationals living and working in the UAE.

Etihad Airways opens airport lounge in Manchester

ETIHAD Airways has opened the doors of its latest premium lounge in Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1.

Etihad Pearl Business class guests were among the first to enjoy the Etihad premium lounge, following an opening ceremony hosted by Manchester City Football Club (MCFC) manager, Roberto Mancini; Garry Cook, MCFC Chief Executive; and Mike Summerbee, MCFC Ambassador. Etihad’s premium lounge in Manchester is the latest in a progressive roll-out of the lounge concept successfully introduced at the airline’s home base in Abu Dhabi.

“Manchester has always been an important market for Etihad and the ties between Manchester and Abu Dhabi have never been stronger,” said Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer. “This latest development is testament to our commitment to the North West of England, and to the ever-growing business and leisure travel demand in and out of the region. We are very proud to be able to offer Etihad Pearl Business Class guests in Manchester this amazing lounge.”

Roberto Mancini said, “Abu Dhabi is our home when we are away from home and as a regular user of Etihad, I, like my players, am always impressed with the impeccable service and fantastic facilities on board ... The new Etihad premium lounge will make our journeys to the region even more enjoyable, starting from the moment we step into the airport to arriving at our destination. I am proud to be opening it.”

The 318 square metre lounge will bolster business services, offering the airline’s Pearl Business Class guests a range of features, including:

• dining facilities with a selection of international cuisine;
• a modern business centre providing individual workstations and privacy for people with laptops;
• a family room, where children can be entertained;
• a relaxation area, including high-comfort leather chairs and reading material;
• luxurious bathrooms and shower facilities for customers to freshen up before their departure;
• a prayer room; and
• expansive views over the airport’s taxiway and runway

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport’s Managing Director, said, “This new luxury lounge facility really puts Manchester on the map as a world class airport. Etihad’s Abu Dhabi service is a crucial link between our two closely-linked regions and the addition of a premium lounge demonstrates real confidence in this important relationship.” This new addition to the premium service out of Manchester follows the successful roll-out of premium lounges in Abu Dhabi, London, and Frankfurt. The Manchester lounge will be instantly recognisable by a specially designed gallery showcasing memorabilia of Manchester City Football Club, which Etihad has sponsored since 2009.

Etihad has been operating services to Manchester since 2006 and offers connections from Manchester to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow with its codeshare partner, bmi and from Manchester to Isle of Man, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Southampton and Inverness with its codeshare partner, Flybe.