Etihad Airways becomes Major League Soccers’ official airline partner

Major League Soccer (MLS) and Soccer United Marketing, MLS’ commercial arm, today announced a multi-year partnership deal with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates.

Within the new agreement, Etihad Airways becomes the official airline partner of MLS in the United States. It is the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s first multi-year sports sponsorship in the territory and one that strengthens its expanding ties to the USA.

The agreement will see the Etihad Airways logo and its messages beamed across LED pitch-side advertising during nationally televised MLS matches, as well as across national broadcast partners and MLS Digital Properties, the leading online soccer platform in North America.

Etihad Airways currently operates daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. In June 2014 it will launch daily flights to Los Angeles and in December it will start a three flights-a-week service to Dallas-Fort Worth.

Etihad doubles daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Moscow

Etihad Airways will increase its Abu Dhabi - Moscow services from seven flights per week to two per day on June 1 and then to three per day from 1 October , 2014.

The national airline of the United Arab Emirates started flying to the Russian capital’s Domodedovo airport (DME) in December 2008, and since then has carried more than 400,000 travellers. In 2013 passenger numbers rose 36% compared to 2012, achieving double-digit growth for the fourth consecutive year.

Etihad Airways plans to operate a two-cabin Airbus A320 aircraft between Abu Dhabi and Moscow for the triple daily service, meaning 5,712 seats a week — 672 in business class and 5,040 in eco

International football legend Patrick Vieira named new Etihad Guest Ambassador

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, recently welcomed Patrick Vieira as the latest high-profile addition to its Guest Ambassador program.

One of the most accomplished sportsmen of his generation, Vieira has won nine league titles and five national cups during his 17-year career as midfielder with some of the world’s leading football teams. Today, he serves as Head of the Elite Development Squad at Manchester City Football Club, which is also sponsored by Etihad Airways.

The agreement builds upon the success of several grass roots sporting initiatives run by Etihad Airways and Patrick Vieira in the past two years, focused on the athletic development of youngsters in key markets around the world.

The best of Etihad Airways in 2013

2013 was a great year for Etihad Airways. With the airline giant announcing its financial results today, we take a look at its top 8 highlights for 2013.

1. Largest aircraft order in Etihad Airways’ history, for up to 199 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, valued at up to US $67 billion

Dubai Air Show: Etihad places largest ever aircraft order: Etihad Airways, the national airline o... http://t.co/4RDQ1x0YHG #sightseeing
— Globe Trips (@globetrips) November 18, 2013

2. Announced the Etihad Regional brand

Swiss-based airline Etihad Regional is launched! Heralding an era of improved connections for travellers in Europe! pic.twitter.com/JSJTRgyJ6a
— Etihad Airways (@EtihadAirways) January 19, 2014

3. Announced intended acquisition of a number of airlines including Swiss regional carrier, Darwin Airline, Air Serbia and India’s Jet Airways, among others

The new #Etihad Airways @jetairways partnership will make our guest’s travel to, from & within #India much easier! Details to come next week
— Etihad Airways (@EtihadAirways) November 21, 2013

#JatAirways will be renamed and rebranded to #AirSerbia, reinforcing national identity and creating a new beginning.
— Etihad Airways (@EtihadAirways) August 1, 2013

4. Announced new flights to Washington DC, Amsterdam, Sao Paulo, Belgrade, Ho Chi Minh City and Sana’a

[VIDEO] #Etihad Airways will be launching non-stop daily flights to #Washington, D.C., from March 31 2013. http://t.co/M0mXMQms #USA #Route
— Etihad Airways (@EtihadAirways) November 22, 2012

Etihad's daily flights to #SaoPaulo will begin on 1 June 2013 - first direct air link between #AbuDhabi and any South American country.
— Etihad Airways (@EtihadAirways) June 3, 2012

5. Introduced additional flights to 18 existing destinations in the GCC, Middle East, Australia, Africa, Asia, India, Pakistan and Russia

6. Increased from 40 to 47 codeshare partnerships, adding South African Airways, Kenya Airways, Air Canada, Korean Air, Air Serbia, Belavia and Air Baltic as well as codeshares with Aegean Airlines and Darwin Airline from early 2014

7. Achieved 32% growth in Etihad Cargo freight volumes

#Etihad Cargo posts record monthly uplift figures for Jan 2013 of 32,613 tonnes, a 27% increase on Jan 2012. #avgeek pic.twitter.com/5grFc8Vd
— Etihad Airways (@EtihadAirways) February 19, 2013

8. Won 18 awards including, for the fifth consecutive year, title of “World’s Leading Airline” at the World Travel Awards

We’re proud to receive the World’s Leading Airline Award as these awards are based on 650k votes cast by travel professionals. #Etihad
— Etihad Airways (@EtihadAirways) December 13, 2012