In the end, 2019 ended up being a pretty good year for travellers in the UAE. Despite facing multiple challenges, Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia added new destinations to their networks.
Etihad appears to have finally turned a corner after a couple years of cut backs. Etihad Guest relaunched at the end of the year with a host of new benefits for elite members. There has also been a noticeable improvement on the ground and in the air at the airline.
Events have been tougher for flydubai. The global grounding of the 737 MAX has slowed the carrier’s ambitious growth plans.
What does this year hold in store? These are the top 10 travel highlights I am looking forward in 2020.
1. Emirates launching Premium Economy in 2020
Emirates will be the first airline in the Middle East to introduce a genuine Premium Economy seat and cabin in 2020. The Eclipse seat manufactured by HAECO is rumoured to be the model chosen.
The new seat and cabin look fantastic and would be a real game-changer for expats flying from the UAE. Find out everything you need to know about Emirates’ plans for Premium Economy here.
2. British Airways new Club Suite coming to Abu Dhabi
Dubai was the launch destination for British Airways new business class seat in 2019. Dubbed the Club Suite, it is a vast improvement on the airline’s current business class product with direct aisle access from every seat. I was very impressed by the Club Suite on a recent flight from London to Dubai.
From 31 March 2020 the Club Suite will be coming to Abu Dhabi making a flight on the British Airways red-eye to London Heathrow much more comfortable.
3. Abu Dhabi gets two new airlines in 2020
Not one but two new airlines are setting up shop in Abu Dhabi in 2020. Etihad has set up a joint venture with Air Arabia to launch a low-cost airline based at Abu Dhabi Airport. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is expected to start flying by June 2020.
Wizz Air, a Hungarian low-cost airline has also announced plans to set up a low cost airline in Abu Dhabi by the end of the year.
4. New destinations from Abu Dhabi 2020
Two new airlines means new destinations and connections from Abu Dhabi. The list of cities Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is expected to fly to includes Almaty, Dhaka, Faisalabad, Jaipur, Kiev, Multan, Peshawar, Taif, Tbilisi, Yanbu and Yerevan.
Etihad has also already announced a new seasonal flight to Malaga for summer 2020. Seasonal flights to Salalah and Alexandra will return for a second year running but with increased frequency and operate for a longer period over the summer.
5. Abu Dhabi Mid-field Terminal should finally open in 2020
The long-anticipated Mid-field Terminal at Abu Dhabi should open sometime in 2020. With the new Air Arabia Abu Dhabi expected to fly an extra 3.5 million passenger through the emirate every year and Etihad seeming to find its feet again, it can not come soon enough.
6. Taking advantage of the new Etihad Guest benefits
The relaunched Etihad Guest programme introduced a host of new benefits for members, particularly those with elite status. They will not only make travel a little more convenient but also save frequent flyers a few dirhams in 2020.
The new benefits include chauffeur service on award bookings, discounted wifi in the air and free seat selection when travelling in economy on Etihad.
7. Adding a visit to Saudi Arabia to the bucket list
For some expats in the UAE 2020 will be the year to visit Saudi Arabia for the first time. The new easy online eVisa makes short weekend breaks in the Kingdom a viable option for the first time. If you do go, using Skywards miles to visit Saudi Arabia is extremely good value.
8. Etihad taking back premium lounge at London Heathrow
Etihad has announced plans to resume responsibility for managing its premium lounge at London Heathrow. The lounge was rebranded as ‘The House’ at the end of 2018. No 1 Lounges took over management and significantly improved the food and beverage on offer as well as the layout of the lounge.
Etihad now operating four flights a day between Abu Dhabi and London. The airline has clearly decided it no longer makes sense to outsource the lounge experience at such and important destination. I would expect Etihad to roll out some further improvements once they are fully back in charge.
9. Economy Space finally appearing on the 787 and 777
I am a huge fan on Etihad’s Economy Space seats on the A380. It’s not a proper Premium Economy product but it is the next best thing. I hope to see more Economy Space seats start to appear on the 787 and 777 fleet in 2020. With Emirates launching Premium Economy in 2020 Etihad really need to get a move on.
10. flydubai’s new business class might be back in the air
This is the one travel highlight that could easily slip into 2021. Flydubai’s 737 MAX aircraft were delivered with a with a fantastic fully flat bed seat in business class installed. The product is currently sat on the ground until aviation authorities give the okay for the 737 MAX to fly again. Now that Boeing is recommending pilots get simulator training these planes may not make it back in the air this year.
What are you looking forward to in 2020?
So, that’s a few of things I’m looking forward to this year. What travel highlights are you looking forward to in 2020?
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