Soaring across Southeast Asia: Direct Etihad Abu Dhabi to Sumatra and Phnom Penh flights take off

The national carrier of the UAE, Etihad, has been expanding its presence globally, including across the Southeast Asian region. The beginning of this month noted the take off of a couple of major direct routes – flights from Abu Dhabi to Sumatra and Phnom Penh.

This update is significant, especially from a tourism point of view. Today, Etihad is connecting Abu Dhabi to 83 destinations, including some of the most underrated places. The recently launched routes help connect the Gulf region to Southeast Asia better.

Etihad has become the only airline directly connecting the Gulf region to Medan in Sumatra in Indonesia and Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Isn’t it incredible? The sold-out inaugural flights took off on October 2 and 3, respectively. Let us get into the details.

Gem in Indonesia: Direct Etihad Abu Dhabi to Sumatra flights take off

On October 2, the inaugural Etihad Abu Dhabi to Medan (Sumatra) flight took off. EY480 took off from the bustling Abu Dhabi Airport in the UAE capital at 8:45 am local time and landed in the Indonesian tourist destination at 6:45 am the other day.

This flight is operating on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. From a tourist’s angle, the launch of this flight is going to make Sumatra more accessible for people in the UAE and nearby GCC countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman.

Full of lush rainforests, ancient cultures and some of the best landmarks in Indonesia, such as Lake Toba, there are a lot of things to do in Sumatra. You can also explore the unique Batak culture, encounter critically endangered orangutans in their natural habitat (could be the highlight of your trip) and enjoy traditional Sumatran cuisine.

Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi to Sumatra schedule

Entry into Cambodia: Launch of Etihad Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh flights

On October 3, just a day after the launch of flights from Abu Dhabi to Sumatra, Etihad began its inaugural direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Featuring vibrant promenades, bustling markets and unique dining scenes, there are a number of interesting things to do in Cambodia for people of all ages and preferences.

Phnom Penh is also considered the route to different cultural attractions in Cambodia, such as the temples of Angkor Wat. Currently, four flights are operating to this destination from Abu Dhabi per week. Starting November 1, 2025, this number is going to increase to six flights.

The sold-out inaugural flight took off from Zayed International Airport at 9:10 pm and landed in the capital of Cambodia at 7:20 am the next day. For this month, the flight is going to operate on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh schedule

Etihad Extraordinary Challenge: Travel from Abu Dhabi to Sumatra and Phnom Penh for Etihad Guest Miles

Take on the Etihad Extraordinary Challenge. The launch of direct Abu Dhabi to Sumatra and Phnom Penh flights is an added blessing in disguise. Earlier in 2025, Etihad Guest Challenge took off. It is a one-of-a-kind competition offering Etihad guest members up to 5 million miles.

The Etihad Guest Challenge is open to both fresh and existing Etihad Guest members. You need to fly to each of the airline’s 15 year-round destinations launching in 2025 by May 25, 2026. This list includes Medan in Sumatra and Phnom Penh in Cambodia, as expected.

5 million Etihad Guest Miles? It is a huge prize – equating to more than 500 Economy flights or more than 70 trips in Business Class or more than 40 unforgettable journeys in First Class. Use the hashtag #EYextraordinarymiles at the time of flaunting your trip pictures on social media.

The direct Etihad Abu Dhabi to Sumatra and Phnom Penh flights are also going to make the UAE capital more accessible for people in Southeast Asia. There are a number of tourist-friendly things to do in Abu Dhabi and the nearby Emirates of Dubai and Sharjah.

Happy exploring.