Etihad expands US network with double daily Abu Dhabi-Chicago flights

Etihad Airways is expanding its North American network with increased capacities to American hubs Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) starting 15 June 2026. 

 

The UAE carrier will grow its Chicago service to a double-daily operation on the B787-9 aircraft. Flights from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) will depart at 02:55 and 10:00, while return services from Chicago will operate at 14:00 and 21:10, with a flight time of around 15 to 16 hours. 

 

Chicago remains a key North American gateway for Etihad, supporting onward connections to destinations including Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai in India, as well as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Manila in Asia-Pacific. 

 

Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “Moving to double-daily flights reflects the sustained performance of the route and enables us to offer guests greater flexibility while deepening connectivity through Abu Dhabi.” 

 

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Elsewhere in the US, Etihad is temporarily increasing services to Charlotte, North Carolina – one of its newest and fastest-growing routes. First launched in March 2026, the route will grow from four weekly flights to daily operations between 15 June to 8 September 2026. 

 

Operated by the B787-9, flights from Abu Dhabi will depart at 03:35, arriving in Charlotte at 10:45, with return services leaving at 15:00 and arriving at 12:25 the following day. The additional capacity strengthens links between the Southeast US and Etihad’s global network, supporting both point-to-point and connecting traffic. 

 

In addition to its US expansion, Etihad recently unveiled several new routes across Africa and Asia, including Accra in Ghana, Harare in Zimbabwe and Lagos in Nigeria, as well as Shanghai Pudong, Hangzhou and Shenzhen in China.

 

For more information, visit eithad.com