China Flights Update — 18 April 2026
flights • 18 April 2026
**Etihad Airways is launching five new routes from Abu Dhabi to key Chinese cities, boosting international access to China with 28 additional weekly flights starting late 2026.** According to Etihad's official announcement and Aviation Week, these include daily flights to **Shanghai Pudong (PVG)** from 1 October 2026, followed by daily service to **Guangzhou (CAN)** from 4 March 2027, 5X-weekly to **Hangzhou (HGH)** from the same date, 4X-weekly to **Chengdu (TFU)** from 5 March 2027, and 5X-weekly to **Shenzhen (SZX)** from 7 March 2027. All routes will use Boeing 787-9 aircraft with 28 business-class and 262 economy seats, expanding Etihad's China network to 35 weekly flights across six gateways including existing Beijing service. This expansion, one of Etihad's largest into a single market, strengthens its joint venture with China Eastern Airlines for seamless connections. Australian travellers can now enjoy convenient layovers in Abu Dhabi en route to these vibrant destinations—Shanghai's iconic skyline, Guangzhou's markets, Chengdu's pandas, Hangzhou's West Lake, and Shenzhen's tech hubs—making China even more accessible for business and leisure trips. For bookings, check Etihad's site for schedules and fares; early planning is advised as demand is expected to rise with this enhanced connectivity.Sources
- https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/etihad-expands-china-network-five-new-mainland-routes
- https://tvbrics.com/en/news/airline-from-uae-to-launch-28-new-weekly-flights-to-china-with-five-new-destinations/
- https://www.etihad.com/en/news/etihad-airways-expands-china-network-strengthens-china-eastern-joint-venture-with-five-new-routes-and-28-additional-weekly-flights
- https://www.businesstraveller.com/news/etihad-airways-announces-major-china-expansion-with-five-new-routes/
- https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/routes-insights-china-eastern-airlines-air-canada-eva-air