Etihad Airways will begin flying to Boston (BOS) from its hub in Abu Dhabi (AUH) next spring, giving United States-based travelers yet another option for a comfy ride to the Middle East and beyond.
On Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates-based airline announced Boston as its fifth North American destination, joining Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), Toronto (YYZ), and Washington, D.C. (IAD). Service between Abu Dhabi and Boston will begin on March 31, 2024, according to a news release. The route will operate four times a week on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
- Flights to Abu Dhabi (AUH) from Boston (BOS) depart at 3:55 p.m. and arrive at 12 a.m. the next day.
- Flights to Boston (BOS) from Abu Dhabi (AUH) depart at 3:10 a.m. and arrive at 8:55 a.m.
Etihad will fly a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the route and not one of its coveted A380s, which are soon to be put back into service – uber-fancy First Class Apartments and all. The 787s operating on the Boston route will have a business class cabin and an economy cabin. The business class cabin will feature 28 seats followed by 30 rows of economy seats.
As of publication, roundtrip flights from BOS to AUH are starting at an exorbitantly expensive $1,167 for economy before seat selection.
You don't have to pay cash, though. Etihad flights are also bookable using points and miles through its partners American Airlines and Air Canada.
Economy fares on these flights were available through Air Canada Aeroplan for 55,000 miles each way and $57 in taxes and fees.
Business class fares on these Etihad flights were not available to book through Air Canada Aeroplan as of Wednesday morning. Typically, these lie-flat seats are bookable for 90,000 to 110,000 Aeroplan miles each way if the space exists.
When booked through American Airlines, that rate can be as low as 70,000 AAdvantage miles one-way, but booking Etihad flights with AA miles isn't as straightforward. You won't be able to find the award space on AA's website. First, you'll first have to find the available award space on Air Canada's website, and then call AA to book.
Etihad also has a partnership with JetBlue, meaning travelers flying to Boston will be able to connect onward to the rest of the U.S. on one, seamless airfare. You can also book Etihad flights through JetBlue's own loyalty program, but it's not the best deal you'll find and JetBlue points are difficult to earn.
In the opposite direction, Etihad offers a huge list of world destinations all over the Middle East, Africa, and Asia that you can connect onward to from its Abu Dhabi hub. Plus, Etihad offers an intriguing Abu Dhabi stopover program, allowing you to add on two nights in Abu Dhabi for free at a selection of three or four-star hotels in the city. Otherwise, you can get up to 40% off Abu Dhabi's premium four and five-star hotels for a stay of up to four nights on an Etihad ticket.
Bottom Line
Etihad will begin flying to and from Boston (BOS) starting next March, marking the airline's fifth North American route.
The route between Boston and Etihad's hub in Abu Dhabi (AUH) will operate four times a week flying the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, giving U.S. travelers more options for booking a comfy ride to the Middle East and beyond next year.
