Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced Krakow as an additional new destination to further expand its Central European network. The airline will launch seasonal flights to the historic Polish city in summer 2026, giving travellers from Krakow direct access to Abu Dhabi and seamless connections to Etihad’s global network while strengthening the airline’s commitment to the Polish market.
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: „As we continue to grow Etihad’s footprint globally, our focus remains simple: to directly link Abu Dhabi with places people want to visit, and warmly welcome more visitors to experience our beautiful home and the UAE’s capital. We’ve already celebrated the successful launch of our Warsaw route in June this year, and adding Krakow demonstrates our confidence in the Polish market.”
Abu Dhabi and beyond awaits travellers from Krakow
Launching 15 June 2026, Krakow will be Etihad’s second destination in Poland, following the airline’s successful route launch to Warsaw on 3 June 2025. The seasonal service will operate three times weekly until 5 September 2026. For travellers from Krakow, the route opens up access to Abu Dhabi’s distinctive blend of tradition and modern luxury. The UAE capital offers everything from the serenity of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to the artistic masterpieces of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, desert adventures, championship golf courses, and the entertainment district of Yas Island with its world-class theme parks.
The new service also provides convenient connections to Etihad’s expanding network across the globe, including destinations like Bangkok, Mumbai, Sydney, and the Maldives. With Abu Dhabi’s strategic location, travellers from Krakow can reach the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia with just one stop.
Luxury redefined with Etihad’s A321LR
The Krakow service will operate using Etihad’s A321LR aircraft, featuring the airline’s newest cabin design that brings widebody luxury to narrowbody flying. The aircraft offers two spacious First Suites with sliding doors and lie-flat beds, 14 Business seats with direct aisle access that convert to fully-flat beds, and 144 thoughtfully designed Economy seats. All passengers enjoy next-generation entertainment systems with 4K screens, Bluetooth pairing, and high-speed streaming Wi-Fi throughout the journey.
Enhanced connectivity for Polish travellers
With both Warsaw and Krakow now on the network, travellers from Poland will have greater flexibility when planning trips to the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. Both routes benefit from Abu Dhabi’s convenient geography as a connecting hub and the efficiency of Zayed International Airport.
