OREANDA-NEWS. June 10, 2014. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), today launched daily nonstop EY 170 service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).

Los Angeles is Etihad Airways’ fourth U.S. destination, joining Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. on the airline’s expanding network, which will increase further on December 3, 2014 with the addition of direct flights to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ president and chief executive officer, said, “Los Angeles is an iconic city and one of the world’s premier travel destinations and we are delighted that today it becomes part of the Etihad Airways global network.”

“The greater Los Angeles area has a diverse population of more than 18 million people, the second largest in the U.S., who can now access direct flights to Abu Dhabi and beyond into the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent,” said Hogan.

The Abu Dhabi service is set to be popular with customers who are looking to travel to Etihad Airways’ network of 10 Indian destinations, as well as those visiting Armenia, Iran, the UAE, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and other countries across the Gulf region.

Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports, said, “We are thrilled Etihad Airways chose LAX, gateway to the world, for this new, historic service and warmly congratulate them on their inauguration.”

“Etihad Airways joins an impressive list of international air carriers that are now able to offer passengers an improved and exceptional level of customer service with the opening of the new Tom Bradley International Terminal,” said Lindsey.

The aircraft initially serving the new LAX to AUH route is a three-cabin, long-range Airbus 340-500 which can accommodate 240 guests with 12 First Class suites , 28 Business Class flatbed seats , and 200 Economy Class seats .

In mid-July, that service will transition to a three-cabin, long-range Boeing 777-200 LR which will be configured with 237 seats, including eight First Class suites , 40 Business Class flatbed seats , and 189 Economy Class seats .

Etihad Airways has been voted the World’s Leading Airline five times at the World Travel Awards. The airline’s First Class service offers customers a personal In-Flight Chef; Business Class provides a specially trained Food and Beverage Manager; and families across all three cabins enjoy the benefits of the airline’s Flying Nanny.