Luxair and Etihad: travellers to Abu Dhabi are spoilt for choice

Travellers flying from Luxembourg will soon have more choice when heading to the United Arab Emirates or beyond. From the end of October, both Luxair and Etihad Airways will operate direct flights to Abu Dhabi, offering passengers contrasting travel experiences.

Luxair has had the skyscraper metropolis of Dubai firmly in its winter flight schedule since 2021 and serves it with a Boeing 737 Max 8, a narrow-body aircraft with 3–3 seating, in which three passengers sit next to each other on both sides of the aisle.

Depending on the aircraft used, Business Class passengers either have a free centre seat next to them in Economy seating or enjoy 2–2 seating with a slightly wider armchair whose backrest can be reclined a little farther.

In Economy Class, the seat is identical to that offered on classic flights to Mediterranean destinations. The flight to the Emirates takes seven hours and 20 minutes.

The same offer is likely to apply to the newly announced Luxair flights LG9015 (Luxembourg-Abu Dhabi) and LG9016 (Abu Dhabi-Luxembourg), which the Luxembourg-based airline announced last week for the winter flight schedule starting on 26 October 2026.

In a press release, Luxair speaks of the same “Business Class experience” as on the Dubai route, “including twelve reserved seats and a high-quality catering offer”.

“Given the strong and consistent demand we have seen since the launch of our Dubai service in 2021, the addition of Abu Dhabi is a logical next step,” said Chief Commercial Officer Thomas Fischer.

However, the press release fails to mention what is probably the biggest reason for this step: on 9 January, Etihad Airways announced that it would become the first airline from the Middle East to include the Grand Duchy in its own flight schedule, connecting Luxembourg with its hub in Abu Dhabi from the end of October.

Changing planes instead of desert holidays

With a fleet of more than 100 aircraft, Etihad Airways is an international heavyweight, flying to over 120 destinations. Its main focus is on intercontinental flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania. This means the airline not only transports tourists to the United Arab Emirates but, like other Middle Eastern carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways, focuses primarily on transfer passengers.

For many future Etihad passengers in Luxembourg, Abu Dhabi can serve as a transfer point for flights to Asia or Australia. The Etihad connection will enable one-stop flights from Luxembourg to Australia, for example, a route that was previously only possible with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul.

Passengers flying with Luxair to Abu Dhabi and then continuing with Etihad can, of course, also use the hub to change flights. In such cases, however, it is generally advisable to book a buffer night at the transfer point when flights are booked separately.

If the first flight is delayed, the airline operating the onward flight is not obliged to rebook passengers unless both flights are part of the same booking.

First foundling airline with First Class

Luxair’s prices are surprisingly low compared to the competition. Economy Class fares start at €288.68, while Etihad’s cheapest Economy ticket costs €338. The difference is even more pronounced in Business Class: Luxair charges €1,094.68, while Etihad’s more upscale inflight product starts at €3,134.

The surcharge for First Class – available from €3,508 – seems almost negligible in comparison. Luxair, meanwhile, does not offer First Class at all. From October, Etihad will be the only airline at Findel to provide a First Class cabin.

However, Luxair’s Business Class offering can hardly be compared with Etihad’s inflight product. On board the Airbus A321LR, Etihad offers 14 lie-flat Business Class seats in addition to two First Class suites. At the touch of a button, the seats can be converted into fully flat beds. Premium passengers also have access to 17.3- to 20-inch 4K touchscreens and an inflight table with wireless charging.

Even in Economy Class, spread across 24 rows in a classic 3–3 configuration, every seat is equipped with a 13.3-inch monitor. Wi-Fi is available throughout the aircraft, although it is only free of charge in First Class. Despite being a narrow-body aircraft, Etihad’s cabin product is clearly designed for long-haul travel.

A one-way flight from Luxembourg to Bangkok in Business Class with Etihad costs just €1,368 (First Class: €1,746), less than half the price of a direct flight from Luxembourg to Abu Dhabi. As a result, Etihad may appeal less as a tourist airline for desert holidays and more as a serious long-haul carrier for Luxembourg passengers.

Ultimately, Luxair and Etihad are pursuing very different strategies. Time will tell whether travellers will remain loyal to the national carrier with its more touristic seating on a six- to seven-hour flight, or opt for the significantly better-equipped – but more expensive – airline from the Middle East.

In its own press release announcing the new route, Luxair emphasises its “responsible, locally anchored operating model that combines high-quality service with attractive and stable working conditions for employees.”

Whether this is a deliberate contrast to Gulf airlines, which are often criticised for their working conditions, remains to be seen.

It is also unclear whether the market is large enough to sustain two direct connections to Abu Dhabi. According to a brief response from lux-Airport to a query from the Luxemburger Wort, no figures are available on how many passengers have so far travelled from Findel to Abu Dhabi via connecting flights.

Three questions for ULT Director Lydia Heinisch

Lydia Heinisch is director of ULT and knows exactly what tourists appreciate about the United Arab Emirates. © Photo credit: ULT

How popular are Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates with Luxembourgers?

Abu Dhabi is particularly popular with Luxembourgers in winter. Many book a week combining sun, beach, culture and desert experiences. The region offers relaxation, luxury and variety. Those who stay longer can easily combine Abu Dhabi and Dubai in one trip due to their close proximity.

What qualities do tourists appreciate about Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the region?

Luxembourg travellers value comfort, safety and variety. These include first-class hotels, beaches, wellness facilities, cultural highlights such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, as well as activities ranging from desert adventures to shopping and sports.

How do you assess the near-simultaneous launch of direct flights by Luxair and Etihad?

The fact that both airlines are offering direct flights from Luxembourg to Abu Dhabi is primarily an advantage for travellers. They can choose their airline, service level and schedule more flexibly, while the direct connection saves time and makes travel more straightforward.

(This article was first published by the Luxemburger Wort. AI translated, with editing and adaptation by Lucrezia Reale.)