Temperatures are already soaring in Abu Dhabi, as summer holidays are right around the corner. Many UAE residents are going to start their Europe trips soon, flying out to explore different Schengen countries and beyond. Quite a good number of tourists also use Zayed International as a transit hub. Etihad Airways is seeing great potential in the summer travel demand, as it has just announced a significant boost for its Abu Dhabi to Paris route, taking the number of daily flights to three.
If you are taking an Etihad flight to Paris this season, please pay attention. To accommodate the expected rise in passenger traffic for the summer season, the airline is going to soon double its A380 operations from Zayed International Airport (AUH) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), besides the Boeing 787-9 service, taking the number of daily flights on this route to three. Does not this say so much about the importance of the route for the UAE and France, both?
But the doubling of A380 operations to Paris is quite significant? Etihad’s A380 aircraft is quite famous for its luxury offerings. Starting from The Residence and its three-room suites to the exclusive First Apartments, spacious Business Class, and comfortable Economy seats, this aircraft does not disappoint. For nearly four months this summer season, Etihad Airways is going to bring its flagship experience on board Abu Dhabi to Paris flights. Scroll along for a better understanding of the schedule and things to expect.
Etihad Airways Flights to Paris: Summer Travel Schedule
From 1 July to 24 October 2026, Etihad Airways is going to increase its flight numbers on the Abu Dhabi to Paris route as it plans to double its A380 operations. For the summer travel demand, Etihad is going to operate a couple of Airbus A380 from Abu Dhabi Airport at convenient morning and afternoon departure times. The third flight is the daily Boeing 787-9 service, featuring First, Business and Economy cabins. Together, these three flights from the UAE to France are going to support both business and leisure passengers on a daily basis.
For flight bookings: etihad.com
| Flight Number | From | To | Departure Time | Landing Time | Aircraft Type |
| EY31 | Abu Dhabi | Paris | 2:35 am | 7:55 am | A380 |
| EY33 | Abu Dhabi | Paris | 2:20 pm | 7:30 pm | A380 |
| EY35 | Abu Dhabi | Paris | 8:50 am | 2:00 pm | 787-9 |
| EY32 | Paris | Abu Dhabi | 10:40 am | 7:35 pm | A380 |
| EY34 | Paris | Abu Dhabi | 9:50 pm | 6:30 am (next day) | A380 |
| EY36 | Paris | Abu Dhabi | 3:50 pm | 12:30 am (next day) | 787-9 |
Do UAE Residents Need a Schengen Visa for France?
Scores of UAE residents and citizens make trips to the scenic Schengen area each year. Many international tourists also use UAE airports as transit hubs, spending a handful of hours of layover and departing on their next flight from the UAE to Europe. But the elephant in the room here is: do UAE residents need a Schengen visa for France? There is no ‘one size fits all’ situation here, because some residents need a visa and some do not.
UAE passport holders do not need a Schengen Visa for France. They can stay in the territory for up to 90 days. But for UAE residents, the situation can be a little different, as many people need to arrange a France Schengen Visa to enter. But the process is quite simple. Since the EU Entry/Exit System has also been introduced at Schengen borders, it is absolutely recommended to leave for the airport a bit early as you may need to provide some basic information and biometrics. By the second time, the process becomes quicker and simpler.
Is the UAE Airspace Open?
Yes. The UAE airspace has been open for some time already, though it possibly faced the brunt of the crisis among all Gulf countries. Since the peak summer travel demand is right around the corner, different airlines across the globe are launching additional flights on important routes, such as Etihad Airways did for its Abu Dhabi to Paris flights. But since the situation in the Middle East can still be a little volatile, please listen to your country’s UAE travel advisories.
If you are taking a flight from Abu Dhabi, Dubai or any other airport in the UAE, do not leave for the airport unless you have a confirmed booking or your airline has informed you directly. Etihad Airways, Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia are gradually resuming their flight operations and you can expect these airlines to restore things back to normalcy sooner rather than later. For more updates on the summer flights from Abu Dhabi to Paris, please check on etihad.com.
Read More: Etihad Summer Sale 2026 is LIVE: 50+ Destinations Featuring Upto 30% Sale
