Etihad Airways’ regional head for Australia and New Zealand, Sarah Built, says partnerships have been crucial for the Gulf airline in its 15 years of operation, but questions the value of global airline alliances.

This week LATTE spoke exclusively with Etihad Airways’ General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Sarah Built, to get an understanding of how the UAE’s national airline is responding to the coronavirus pandemic and the actions being taken for the post-COVID-19 recovery.

Etihad Airways will operate a regularly scheduled service from Melbourne to London Heathrow via Abu Dhabi, effective 15 May. A few days later, from 21 May, the Gulf carrier will also introduce services from London Heathrow to Melbourne via Abu Dhabi. Tickets can be purchased now.

Etihad Airways will launch new year-round flights to Austria’s capital Vienna using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The service will initially operate with four weekly flights between 22 May and 30 June.

Etihad Airways has revealed plans to introduce a new “TravelPass” that will enable the airline’s frequent guests “complete flexibility and ease with their regular and recurring travel arrangements”.

Etihad Airways is adding its fourth year-round daily service between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow, providing convenient connections from the Gulf carrier’s Australian gateways of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to the UK capital.

Etihad Airways marked its 15th birthday in style with a Sydney reception at the Powerhouse Museum on Thursday 29 November. VIP guests joined Etihad Australia GM Sarah Built to toast the airline’s success, past, present and future.

Etihad Airways is marking its 15th anniversary of operation by holding a series of events and initiatives in Abu Dhabi and around the globe, beginning with the unveiling of an exclusive collaboration with iconic New York fashion designer, Diane von Furstenberg.

Virgin Australia has unveiled a new international lounge network in Australia and New Zealand, withseven international lounges rolling out from the end of October.

Etihad Airways and No1 Lounges have launched a contemporary airport lounge brand in partnership with No1 Lounges. To be known as ‘The House’, the project is the result of a collaboration between the airline and the award-winning lounge provider, which will operate the new brand.

Etihad Airways has forged a major new partnership with the Italian fragrance brand, ACQUA DI PARMA. From August, the UAE national airline will introduce a range of exclusive amenity bags and toiletries for its customers travelling in The Residence on its Airbus A380s, and on long-haul First Class and Business Class services. The brand will also feature in the airline’s flagship First Class Lounge & Spa in Abu Dhabi.