Etihad is set to drawn more international visitors to Queensland with the launch of non-stop flights between Brisbane and Abu Dhabi.

The new non-stop service will not only bring more visitors to the Australian state’s capital, but will also give Queenslanders more convenient access to Etihad’s extensive global network.

Flights EY484 departs the airline’s home base of Abu Dhabi at 2200, and arrives in Brisbane at 1750 the next day; the return leg, EY485, leaves Brisbane at 2135 and lands in Abu Dhabi at 0600 the next morning.

The flights are operated on Etihad’s brand new three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which features the airline’s groundbreaking next generation First Suite, Business Studio and Economy Smart Seat. The aircraft offers a First Class option on the Brisbane-Abu Dhabi route for the first time ever.

The new service will replace the daily one-stop service which the airline previously operated via Singapore with a two-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

“The commencement of daily non-stop Dreamliner services enables us to offer our strongest ever customer proposition on the Brisbane-Abu Dhabi route and represents a significant investment in the Queensland market,” said Etihad’s president and CEO, James Hogan. “By retiming our Brisbane-Abu Dhabi flights with evening departures in both directions and removing the stop in Singapore, we can now offer guests the convenience of shorter travel times and two-way connectivity to more than 30 destinations in the GCC, Middle East, Africa and Europe.”

“From a guest experience perspective, the unique features of the Dreamliner aircraft have enabled us to customise it with the most innovative and sophisticated cabins,” added Hogan. “Brisbane travellers will be among the first in the world to experience the unparalleled comfort and luxury of this groundbreaking aircraft.”

First class guests onboard the 787-9 Dreamliner will be offered an enhanced suite with a chilled minibar, complete privacy, and centre seats which can be joined to created a double bed. Business Class guests will have the space and comfort of the airline’s new Business Studios – each offering direct aisle access and a fully-flat bed of up to 80.5 inches in length. In the economy cabin, the innovative Economy Smart Seat provides enhanced comfort with a unique ‘fixed wing’ headrest on each seat. www.etihad.com