Etihad Airways Launches A350 on Abu Dhabi–Toronto Route

Etihad Airways has announced that it’s boosting the number of flights to North America later this year, and it will be doing it in style when it flies to Toronto.

This fall, Etihad’s service to Boston will be increased from four-times weekly to daily, but perhaps the bigger news here is the change the airline has announced regarding its Abu Dhabi to Toronto route.

As of October 27, 2024, Etihad Airways will launch its Airbus A350-1000 on the daily Toronto flights, complete with the airline’s newest business class product.

Etihad Airways Launches A350 on Abu Dhabi–Toronto Route

In addition to increasing its number of flights out of Boston this fall, Etihad Airways will begin flying its Airbus A350-1000 aircraft once daily from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

The move will be an impressive upgrade to the passenger experience, given the current route is operated on the airline’s most outdated aircraft, the Boeing 777-300ER.

For the winter season, the route will operate with the following schedule:

• EY21, Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ), departing 2:45am and arriving 9:25am
• EY22, Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to Abu Dhabi (AUH), departing 3:30pm and arriving 12:20pm the next day

According to Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Arik De, the introduction of the Airbus A350 to Toronto “aligns with the airline’s strategy to meet an increase in customer demand”.

The Airbus A350-1000 features Etihad’s newest cabin interior, which includes the latest iteration of its business class product.

Each of the 44 business class suites converts into a 79-inch fully flat bed with sliding doors, and comes complete with wireless charging, noise-cancelling headphones, and an 18.5- inch TV screen.

Plus, ​​business class passengers enjoy ordering from a curated à la carte menu, and can also choose to eat at their leisure with the dine anytime service.

How to Book Etihad Airways with Points

If news of the A350-1000 on the Abu Dhabi to Toronto route has you considering a flight this fall and you’re looking to do it on points, the three best options to consider are Air Canada Aeroplan (economy only), Air France KLM Flying Blue, and American Airlines AAdvantage.

You could also use Etihad Guest, but award rates are quite high and the cancellation policy is punitive, so you’re better off going with the other programs. The tradeoff here is that you’ll have access to more award availability with Etihad Guest than through other programs.

Aeroplan continues to only have access to economy flights only with Etihad Airways, and a one-way flight will cost you 55,000 points plus $115 in taxes and fees. Should business class awards ever return, a one-way flight would cost 90,000 Aeroplan points.

Aeroplan points are easy to earn through a number of co-branded credit cards and 1:1 transfers from American Express Membership Rewards.

Aeroplan Credit Cards

Credit Card	Best Offer	Value
American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card Up to 95,000 Aeroplan points $599 annual fee	Up to 95,000 Aeroplan points	$1,147	Apply Now
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card 85,000 Aeroplan points $599 annual fee	85,000 Aeroplan points	$858	Apply Now
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card Up to 60,000 Aeroplan points† $180 annual fee	Up to 60,000 Aeroplan points†	$842	Apply Now
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card Up to 80,000 Aeroplan points† $599 annual fee	Up to 80,000 Aeroplan points†	$766	Apply Now
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card Up to 50,000 Aeroplan points† First Year Free	Up to 50,000 Aeroplan points†	$683	Apply Now
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card 60,000 Aeroplan points $599 annual fee	60,000 Aeroplan points	$634	Apply Now
American Express Aeroplan Card American Express Aeroplan Card 40,000 Aeroplan points $120 annual fee	40,000 Aeroplan points	$573	Apply Now
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card Up to 40,000 Aeroplan points† $139 annual fee	Up to 40,000 Aeroplan points†	$525	Apply Now
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Card TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Card Up to 20,000 Aeroplan points† First Year Free	Up to 20,000 Aeroplan points†	$434	Apply Now
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card 10,000 Aeroplan points† $0 annual fee	10,000 Aeroplan points†	$210	Apply Now

Air France KLM Flying Blue has access to economy and business class awards with Etihad Airways, through a partnership that launched in November 2023.

A one-way flight in either direction costs 43,500 miles plus $163.71 in taxes and fees in economy, or 86,000 miles plus $385.46 in taxes and fees in business class.

Flying Blue miles are slightly harder to come by in Canada, with your options being to earn directly on the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard®, or 1:0.75 transfers from American Express Membership Rewards.

Credit Cards

Credit Card	Best Offer	Value
Business Platinum Card from American Express Business Platinum Card from American Express 150,000 MR points $799 annual fee	150,000 MR points	$2,234	Apply Now
American Express Platinum Card American Express Platinum Card 140,000 MR points $799 annual fee	140,000 MR points	$2,021	Apply Now
American Express Gold Rewards Card American Express Gold Rewards Card 70,000 MR points $250 annual fee	70,000 MR points	$1,676	Apply Now
American Express Business Gold Rewards Card American Express Business Gold Rewards Card 40,000 MR points $199 annual fee	40,000 MR points	$846	Apply Now
American Express Cobalt Card American Express Cobalt Card 15,000 MR points $156 annual fee	15,000 MR points	$372	Apply Now
American Express Green Card American Express Green Card 10,000 MR points $0 annual fee	10,000 MR points	$242	Apply Now
American Express Business Edge Card American Express Business Edge Card $99 annual fee $99 annual fee	$99 annual fee	$0	Apply Now
Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® Earn Flying Blue miles on daily spending First Year Free	Earn Flying Blue miles on daily spending	$0	Apply Now

American Airlines AAdvantage has access to economy and premium cabin awards, including Etihad Airways First Class. The catch is that premium cabins are only available to book within one month or so of departure.

One-way flight costs 40,000 miles plus $55.64 in taxes and fees for economy, or 70,000 miles plus $55.64 in taxes and fees for business class. Note that First Class isn’t available on this route.

RBC Avion is the only Canadian transfer partner for American Airlines AAdvantage, which comes at a 1:0.7 transfer rate. Previously, there have been a few rare transfer bonuses, but not for the past few years.

RBC Avion Credit Cards

Credit Card	Best Offer	Value
RBC® Avion Visa Infinite† RBC® Avion Visa Infinite† 55,000 RBC Avion points† $120 annual fee	55,000 RBC Avion points†	$1,080	Apply Now
RBC® Avion Visa Platinum† RBC® Avion Visa Platinum† Up to 55,000 RBC Avion points† $120 annual fee	Up to 55,000 RBC Avion points†	$1,080	Apply Now
RBC® Avion Visa Infinite Privilege† RBC® Avion Visa Infinite Privilege† Up to 70,000 RBC Avion points† $399 annual fee	Up to 70,000 RBC Avion points†	$821	Apply Now
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business 35,000 RBC Avion points $175 annual fee	35,000 RBC Avion points	$700	Apply Now
RBC Avion Visa Business RBC Avion Visa Business 35,000 RBC Avion points $120 annual fee	35,000 RBC Avion points	$580	Apply Now

Alternatively, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points at a rate of 3:1, or access the program through US-issued credit cards.

Conclusion

Etihad Airways has announced two exciting changes this fall, bringing more flights to Boston and launching the Airbus A350-1000 to Toronto.

This is exciting news for passengers, as the airline currently uses its outdated Boeing 777-300ER plane for the Toronto route.

Going forward, you’ll be able to fly in Etihad’s best business class product to Abu Dhabi and beyond, and fortunately, it’s relatively easy to access with miles and points.