Etihad to Start Abu Dhabi–Red Sea Flights on October 4

Etihad Airways will launch year-round flights from Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast on October 4, 2026, adding a new leisure destination just over three hours from the UAE capital.

The service to Red Sea International Airport will initially operate once a week, increasing to twice weekly from October 25. The Red Sea will become Etihad’s sixth destination in Saudi Arabia.

The new route will be operated by an Airbus A320 configured with eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats.

Flights will commence on October 4 with one weekly service before increasing to two flights per week from October 25.

The journey takes just over three hours from Abu Dhabi, with Red Sea International Airport located within the destination, allowing for shorter transfers to hotels following arrival.

Etihad Launches Abu Dhabi-Red Sea Flights

The Red Sea will join Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina and Al Qassim on Etihad’s Saudi Arabia network.

Saudi Arabia is one of Etihad’s largest regional markets, supporting business, family and religious travel throughout the year. The new route expands the airline’s Kingdom network with a dedicated leisure destination.

Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad Airways CEO, said: “The kind of holiday people normally take a long-haul flight for – islands, reefs and relaxation – is now a short flight from Abu Dhabi and a single connection from anywhere across our network.

“We are always looking ahead to where our guests will want to travel next and making sure we are there early. The Red Sea is exactly that kind of destination, and it is an easy one to reach: the holiday starts on the day guests arrive, not the day after.”

Saudi Red Sea Holiday Destination

More than 90 islands are located off Saudi Arabia’s north-western coast in Tabuk Province, with shallow waters and reefs forming part of one of the world’s largest coral systems.

The destination offers diving and sailing opportunities, alongside beaches and desert landscapes.

Turtles, dolphins and rays inhabit the lagoons, while mangroves line the coastline. Inland, the Hejaz landscape features lava fields and mountains within a short drive of the coast.

Resorts are distributed along the coastline rather than concentrated in a single location.

Etihad Connections through Abu Dhabi

Passengers travelling across Etihad’s network will be able to reach The Red Sea with a single connection through Abu Dhabi, including travellers from other Gulf markets and the Indian subcontinent.

The year-round service will provide connectivity across multiple travel seasons.

Etihad is also positioning the route as an option for two-destination itineraries combining Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.

Through the airline’s Abu Dhabi Stopover programme, passengers can spend several days in the UAE capital before continuing to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast.