Etihad is giving Sydney travellers a major boost, upgauging all Sydney-Abu Dhabi flights to its newest A350-1000 aircraft as it works towards operating the route twice daily, every day.
The Gulf carrier says the upgrade arrives earlier than planned as demand for premium cabins grows and travellers embrace the quieter, more efficient jet.
Etihad now operates ten A350 services each week from Sydney, including double-daily flights on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.
However, the airline is aiming to transition to twice-daily A350 operations (14 flights per week) year-round as more aircraft are added to its fleet.
The change also means the Boeing 777 will no longer appear on any Australian route.
“Transitioning Sydney to all-A350 reflects our long-standing commitment to delivering a superior experience for Australian guests,” Etihad Airways Vice President Global Sales and Distribution Javier Alija said.
“The change sees our Boeing 777-300ER exit Australian skies, with both Sydney and Melbourne being flown with the latest luxury Etihad product across all cabins.
“And with demand for premium capacity continuing to rise, our new A350 product positions us to deliver more luxury, privacy, comfort and premium service from one of our most important international markets.”
Meanwhile, Melbourne continues with daily Boeing 787-9 flights, with refreshed business suites arriving in early 2026.
Etihad Airways brought its flagship Airbus A350-1000 to Sydney for the first time on 1 October 2025, with the upgrade adding a 20 per cent increase in premium seat capacity on the route.
KARRYON UNPACKS: This shift to an all-A350 Sydney schedule is a strong signal that Etihad sees real depth in the Australia-Abu Dhabi market. For agents, the consistent product is a win: no more juggling aircraft types or managing expectations around older cabins. And with double-daily A350 flights on the horizon, Sydney clients chasing Europe, the Middle East or beyond will have more premium seats and steadier connection windows.
