Etihad launches new route to Barcelona

The service is the carrier's second to Spain and will start on November 21, 2018

Etihad will begin direct services to Barcelona, Spain, from November 21, 2018. Courtesy GoLearnTo

Etihad Airways just made travel to Barcelona that much easier with the Abu Dhabi carrier announcing it will start direct flights to the popular Spanish city later this year.

The new route - Etihad's second in Spain behind Madrid - will operate five times a week from November 21, 2018, before becoming a daily offering from March 31, 2019.

“We are delighted to announce the first direct link between these two important global hubs,” says Peter Baumgartner, chief executive of Etihad Airways.

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“We are confident it will prove very popular with UAE and Barcelona-based customers - allowing us to extend our acclaimed inflight service, hospitality and flair to this vibrant Mediterranean city, and to build on the flourishing cultural and commercial ties between the UAE and Spain.”

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The timing of the service has been well thought out with it being launched in time for the start of this year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which is scheduled to take place from November 23-25.

Barcelona is one of the world’s most visited cities and boasts one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, which is appealing to Etihad from a passenger point of view.

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The new Etihad flights will initally depart Abu Dhabi on Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2.20am, arriving in Barcelona at 6.45am (local time), while the return journey will depart the Spanish city at 9.50am (local time) and arrive back in Abu Dhabi at 8pm.