Etihad to deploy Dreamliner jets to Johannesburg, Lagos and Milan

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways will introduce the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its scheduled services to Johannesburg, Lagos and Milan later this year.

The Dreamliner jets will replace the Airbus A330s currently operating the routes.

All three destinations will feature two-class 787-9 jets, with 299 seats including 28 in business and 271 in economy.

The Dreamliner will be deployed on the daily Johannesburg route from August 1, with flight EY 604 leaving Abu Dhabi at 10.05am and landing in the South African city at 4.30pm. Return flight EY 603 will depart from Johannesburg at 8.05pm and arrive in the UAE capital at 6am the next day.

Etihad will operate the Boeing jet to Lagos from August 2, on the four-time weekly route (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday). Flight EY 673 departs from Abu Dhabi at 2.35am and lands in Lagos at 7.10am, with return flight EY 674 departing Lagos at 8.30am and arriving in the UAE capital at 7.10pm.

On Etihad’s daily route to Milan, the Boeing 787 will be effective from September 1, with flight EY 81 departing from the UAE capital at 2.20am and landing in the Italian city at 6.50am. The return flight EY 88 will leave from Milan at 10.40am and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 6.55pm.

Etihad said its network to and from Abu Dhabi will see “more 787 Dreamliners introduced on key destinations as the airline takes delivery of more of the type”.

In February, the airline announced that it would deploy the Dreamliner on all its services to China.

The Boeing aircraft will be deployed on Etihad’s daily service to Chengdu from July 1, replacing the Airbus A330-200 currently operating the route.

Also from 1 July, the airline’s daily service to Shanghai will be upgraded from the 787-9 to the larger 787-10 Dreamliner.

From March 31, the Hong Kong route is also being served with a 787-9 Dreamliner.

Once the changes take effect, the airline will fly all 28 weekly services to Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai and Hong Kong with the Dreamliner aircraft.