Okay, travel junkies and serial vacation planners, this one’s for you. Etihad Airways just did a thing—and by thing, we mean they dropped seven shiny new destinations like it’s no big deal. (Spoiler: it’s a very big deal.)
If your passport has been whispering “use me” from the drawer, this is your sign to start Googling “things to do in Tbilisi.”
Here’s the lineup of dreamy new cities you’ll soon be jetting off to from Abu Dhabi:
- Almaty, Kazakhstan – for mountain views and next-level nature
- Baku, Azerbaijan – where ultra-modern meets ancient real quick
- Bucharest, Romania – home to Dracula’s inspo and seriously underrated charm
- Medina, Saudi Arabia – a spiritual centre with deep cultural roots
- Tbilisi, Georgia – cobblestones, wine, and killer architecture
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan – think vibrant bazaars and Silk Road vibes
- Yerevan, Armenia – history, views, and enough apricots to make jam for life
Yes, seven new routes, bringing Etihad’s grand total of new routes this year to (drumroll, please)… 29. That’s right—twenty-nine. Abu Dhabi is basically becoming the Beyoncé of global hubs right now.
So, when can we take off?
Etihad says all flights will be up for grabs in the coming days (start refreshing that booking page), and the official takeoff happens in March 2026. Except for Medina, which will get an early start in November 2025. Mark those calendars—your future self will thank you.
But wait—there’s more.
This isn’t Etihad’s first mic-drop moment of the year. They’ve already launched flights to Prague, Warsaw, Sochi, and Atlanta (yes, ATL as in peaches and hip-hop). And they’re not done yet! The airline has also spilled the beans on three seasonal summer gems coming in 2026: Krakow, Salalah, and Kazan. We’re not saying your annual leave is already booked, but…
The why behind the wow
According to Etihad’s CEO, Antonoaldo Neves (the man clearly doesn’t sleep), this mega expansion is all about one thing: putting Abu Dhabi front and centre on the global stage. These destinations? They’re not random. They’re chosen for their cultural richness, booming potential, and ability to lure in curious wanderers and ambitious dealmakers alike.
And honestly, it makes sense. Medina’s spiritual aura, Yerevan’s timeless charm, Almaty’s mountains, and Baku’s modern cool factor? That’s a travel mood board if we’ve ever seen one.
So whether you’re chasing business opportunities, checking cities off your bucket list, or just want to pretend you’re in a Bond film while flying over the Caucasus, Etihad’s new routes have you covered—with their signature world-class service, of course.
Start prepping your vacation group chats, alert your travel buddy, and maybe keep your suitcase within arm’s reach. Etihad is making moves—and we’re so here for it.
