Emirates Soars to Tokyo with A380 Superjumbo in Summer 2026

Etihad Airways will deploy its massive Airbus A380 double-decker plane on the Abu Dhabi-Tokyo route starting June 2026. The move comes as the UAE carrier sees strong demand for Japan travel and wants to cash in on the busy summer season with its flagship aircraft.

The A380 service to Tokyo's Narita Airport begins June 16, 2026, right when summer travel peaks. This plane stands out because it's the only aircraft in the world with a three-room cabin layout, giving passengers more luxury options than typical flights.

Arik De, Etihad's head of revenue and commercial operations, says Japanese demand has been consistently strong. The A380's size makes sense for this route because business travel between the UAE and Japan runs deep, built on solid economic and cultural ties between the two countries.

The bigger plane also opens doors for more Japanese travelers who want to use Abu Dhabi as a stopover or explore the UAE as a destination. This could boost tourism numbers for both directions.

Tokyo joins Etihad's existing A380 network that includes London, Paris, Toronto, and Singapore. The airline industry has been cautious about bringing back these giant planes since the pandemic, but routes with strong business travel and tourism demand are seeing them return first.

For Etihad, this represents a bet that Japan travel will stay strong through 2026. The UAE has been working to strengthen ties with Asian markets, and Japan represents a key piece of that strategy. Bookings for the new A380 service are already open.