Etihad Airways marked its busiest-ever month for fleet growth in July 2025, taking delivery of five new aircraft, including its first Airbus A321LR, as part of an accelerated expansion strategy aimed at supporting ambitious growth targets.The additions
— two Boeing 787 Dreamliners, one Airbus A350-1000, one A321LR, and one A320ceo — raise Etihad’s total fleet to 106 aircraft, with an average age of just 8.7 years, making it one of the youngest and most modern in the world.
CEO Antonoaldo Neves hailed the milestone as a reflection of the airline’s “ambitious growth trajectory,” adding: “These aircraft will enable us to serve more destinations, offer increased frequencies, and deliver the exceptional experiences our guests expect.”
A highlight of the month was the arrival of the A321LR, a narrowbody aircraft featuring First Class suites, lie-flat Business seats, and enhanced Economy cabins — a first in the region. The configuration brings widebody-level comfort to shorter routes, enhancing Etihad’s competitive edge in the premium travel market.
The aircraft will support Etihad’s global network expansion, which includes 27 new destinations and increased frequencies on high-demand routes. The Boeing 787s and A350s will be deployed on long-haul services to Asia, Australia, and North America.
Etihad also reported carrying over 20 million passengers in the past 12 months — doubling its 2022 total — as it moves toward its goal of 38 million annual passengers by 2030.
The airline plans to take delivery of 20 additional aircraft annually through 2025 and 2026, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s status as a rising global aviation hub.
André Orban
Aviation24