Etihad Airways’ popular A380 made a stylish debut at Singapore Changi Airport on Sunday, 2 February. This marked the first time the airline has flown its Big Bird to Singapore. The milestone further enhances the travel experience between the UAE and the Asian powerhouse.

The world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, brings Etihad’s celebrated inflight features to the Singapore route, including The Residence—the world’s only three-room suite in the sky. The upper deck also features The Lobby, an exclusive lounge area for First—and business-class guests.

Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “As a vibrant and dynamic city, Singapore will always be a key destination in our global network. The decision to deploy our much-loved A380 boosts our travel offering between Abu Dhabi and Singapore. It highlights our resolve to go beyond by delivering fantastic travel experiences across Etihad’s growing global network.

“Bringing the A380 to Singapore, along with our broader network expansion plans – including increased frequency on key routes – demonstrates our strong growth momentum in Asia. This added capacity reflects the growing demand for travel to and from Singapore.”

The UAE and Singapore enjoy robust ties across multiple sectors, including trade, culture, and business. The route caters to leisure travellers and provides strong business connections, particularly in sectors like aviation, energy, and technology.

The A380 increases the route’s capacity by 28%, offering 486 seats, including The Residence, nine First Apartments, 70 Business Studios, and 405 Economy Smart seats.

As well as being a global financial hub, Singapore offers a vibrant mix of stunning architecture, lush gardens, diverse cuisine, and world-class shopping, making it a must-visit destination for travellers, for business, pleasure, or both.

The enhanced capacity also offers visitors more opportunities to experience Abu Dhabi’s unique charm and culture while providing seamless and timely connections to key destinations worldwide.

Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Stopover program enhances connectivity by allowing travelers to extend their layovers into memorable stays. Participants can enjoy up to two complimentary nights at premium hotels in Abu Dhabi, showcasing the city’s growing appeal as a fashionable destination.