Etihad Airways to Offer Non-Stop Flights from Abu Dhabi to Calgary in November 2026
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is set to make history by becoming the first Middle Eastern carrier to offer non-stop flights to Canada’s west coast. Beginning on November 3, 2026, the airline will operate four weekly flights between Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport and Calgary International Airport. Tickets for this highly anticipated route are now available for purchase.
The flights from Abu Dhabi will depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 08:45 and arrive in Calgary at 12:20. The return flights will leave Calgary at 18:05 and arrive back in Abu Dhabi at 19:00 the following day. Etihad will utilize their state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on this route, featuring the latest Business and Economy class cabins designed for ultimate comfort on long-haul flights.
This new route to Calgary will be a game-changer for travelers from the UAE, providing easy access to western Canada and the breathtaking Canadian Rockies. The region is renowned for its stunning landscapes and year-round outdoor activities. Calgary is also known for its sports heritage, having hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics.
For Canadian travelers, this new route offers direct access to Abu Dhabi and its many cultural attractions, leisure offerings, and year-round events. According to Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves, this new service will open “direct access to Abu Dhabi’s rich culture and year-round experiences.
This expansion further solidifies Etihad’s presence in North America, joining their existing routes to Toronto, New York, and Chicago. They also have plans to launch a new route to Charlotte in March 2026. Passengers traveling onward to the United States via Abu Dhabi will continue to benefit from the airport’s US Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facility, the only one of its kind in the Middle East. This unique feature allows travelers to arrive in the US as domestic passengers, significantly reducing arrival times.
The announcement of the Calgary route comes on the heels of several other recent expansions for Etihad. The airline is set to launch the Middle East’s first non-stop flights to Luxembourg on October 29, 2026, as well as the first direct air link between the UAE and Palma de Mallorca in June 2026. These new routes showcase Etihad’s strategy of establishing new long-haul and leisure-focused connections.
In conclusion, Etihad Airways’ new non-stop flights from Abu Dhabi to Calgary will provide travelers with a convenient and comfortable way to explore both the UAE and Canada. With its modern aircraft, top-notch service, and expanding network, Etihad continues to be a leader in the aviation industry.